It may have been that I was bored and needed something, anything to talk to my other half about, but I sidled up to him and casually asked him this question… as he tried to stifle a groan, for yet another strange question from me…, “My beloved, (yes, I do use these words sometimes) if there was just one tool in your wood shop that you could not live without, what would it be?”
Knowing that this might take a moment, I tidied the kitchen, did a load of laundry, painted my toenails bright red (woo-hoo!) and planned the Thanksgiving meal, from the first olive to the last bite of pumpkin pie. When I returned, he was watching something called “Most Shocking Job Interviews” or something just as weird, on the TRU cable channel. In the end, I didn’t get the answer I was looking for. Evidently, there isn’t just ONE tool that he couldn’t do without. Is this the norm with any of you? Is there actually just one tool, just one indispensable item in your shop that warms your heart and that would never be too far from reach? Just wonderin’.
Well, Annie, that’s sort of a loaded question. I would say my table saw because she sure is a beauty and I wouldn’t want to let her go but then again I didn’t have her till about 5 years ago and before that I used my circular saw and chop saw but before that I used my handsaws. I love all of my planes and my chisels, too. And then I’ve got all of my different handsaws which I also love a whole bunch. I also have a bit and a brace and even a crank drill that I wouldn’t want to part with, either. And then, of course, there’s my measuring tools and marking gauge.
Let me ask a similar question. If someone asked which one of your family members could you not do without then which one would it be? You can’t answer that and you won’t answer that. Now, I know that hand tools are not anywhere near as important as family members so that’s not the point. But, here is the point. I have a basic set of hand tools that are at the core of my shop and I wouldn’t want to imagine any sort of situation where I would want to give up any of them. Each one of them has a special purpose and each one of them does a specific job. They are all sort of like a family and they all work together to help me build things. I would hate to know that I had to choose one over the other when it comes to my basic set of hand tools which I’ve had now for 40 years.
So I guess I would answer it like this I would get rid of all of my power tools and portable tools and many of my hand tools before I would get rid of any one of my basic set of core hand tools which are the very ones that I bought 40 years ago all at the same time. I’ve had every one of em for 40 years and they are very much a part of me and they ain’t going any wheres.
-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau
I am with Eric, If I could only keep one tool it would be a hand plane. Even if I could no longer do woodworking I could always keep the plane on my mantel.
well i think mine would have to be my table saw…i can do pretty much anything i would ever need to do on there…but then i really love my 15 inch planer….....but to simplify this post…table saw….helluvawreck says it pretty good..so i will default to his post if i needed to…....but im pretty sure hands down…my table saw…i bought her 15 years ago…and she hasnt groaned…winched or moaned over one thing ive cut ….she is a beauty and ever since i saw norm use one…it was love…......grizz
I see now that there are really no easy answers to this question. Although, helluvawreck, there are times when I might choose the family member that I could do without! I guess if you had only a few tools and didn’t do a lot of woodworking, then it might be easier, but most of you guys have a boatload of tools, simple hand tools and lots of power tools, so I understand that it’s not so easy to choose. Maybe it should be, What are the TOP TEN tools that you use the most? Or maybe top twenty? And then, it depends on what area and level of woodworking you are in. Okay, this is interesting, though and I like hearing about what you think on this subject! Thanks for your input!
Grizz: I do remember when Jim was ready to buy his first really quality table saw and the time and research he put into it. That was maybe 18 years ago and he still has that saw. He’s added table extensions and storage places to it, bought fences and jigs and lots of different saw blades for it, but that same basic table saw has been invaluable to most of his woodworking. Back then, I questioned the cost and the room it takes up in the shop, but it has been such a great basic tool and lots of good stuff has been created from it!
Howie: what a special tool that wrench must be. I know that I have a couple very old hammers that my pop used in his sash and door business years ago. I can almost feel his strong, saw-dusty hands on them, still.
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