rrich

A woodworking tool / fixture / jig.
Up to about a couple hundred dollars.
Something that you use for woodworking.
You bought it.
You would never give it up if you couldn't buy another.

What is it that falls into that category, "Best Money I Ever Spent?"

My best I ever spent was about $220 from Sommerfelds and a Blum Eco (i.e. Economy) drill. It is a jig that aligns the three holes for euro style hinges. By now, many cabinet doors later, the best money I ever spent. I've used it on my shop doors, furniture doors, for friends, for neighbors and customers. The Eco Drill works so well it is almost impossible to screw things up. (Not totally but almost impossible.)

I'm sure that there are others out there and probably not as expensive as mine but let's hear about them. I'm sure that we'll all learn something.

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Use the right tool for the job.

Rich (Tilting right)
Huntington Beach, California
Remember that when we have the "BIG ONE" everything east of the Rockies falls into the ocean.

jraksdhs

my 12" jointer!. When i sold my dj-20 for a 12" griz it was probably the best thing i did for my shop. I've heard people say a 6 inch jointer is more than enough but i highly disagree. I rarely get any lumber wider than 12 inches, but its usually wider than 6 or 8. Being able to face joint 12in wide boards is so nice. I also agree with rrich, my eco drill is awesome.....i cant imagine doing it any other way.

jraks

ihackwood

kreg jig

red

Just being able to purchase a new table saw to get back into woodworking after being away for many years.

Red

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garryswf

I tend to agree with Red on the TS.

phinds

low end, non-sliding, compound miter saw --- the amount of time this has saved me has made it WAY more than worth the $100 or so that I paid for it.

If I did cabinetry, I'd go for a better one, but for my needs this was just the ticket.

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phinds
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www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/

Gerry KIERNAN

50 cents for a Stanley Bailey #4 plane in good useable condition but could use a cleanup. I don't use it everyday, but probably the best 50 cents I ever spent.

skymaster

Eco drill is awesome however my bet buy was the Jessem Mast-r-slider attachment for the my tablesaw :}:}:}
http://www.jessem.com/mast_r_slide.htm

frankp

I have no idea. The most I've ever spent on a tool is $175 for my bandsaw. I'd say that and my table saw. I've never bought any kind of jigs or anything like that.

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"I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character!"

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ACP

If think if you look at the aspect of never being able to get another the table saw wins hands down. I use it for every project in multiple ways. It would be very difficult if impossible to replace. I paid 399 for my Ridgid 3660 on clearance so I think it was a good deal to boot! In fact that may have been the best deal I got on a tool I've kept. Quality vs. cost I think its hard to beat.

Gene Howe

Miterset. Couldn't live without it.
Gene

Allthumbs27

I am gonna cheat a little bit. I bought my G1022Z tablesaw, Dewalt Dw788, and a mitersaw for $350
It was such a killer deal I had to say it.

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Every fight is a food fight when you are a cannibal.

The Everyman Show

I would agree with a table saw as the one item I would really suffer from if I didn't have it, but that was a little more than the original $220.00 question.
For hand tools I bought a 1-1/4" Marples chisel from an old cabinet maker who was retiring for $25.00. This chisel was made in the late 1940's and has to be the finest steel of any of the hand tools I have. It keeps and edge longer and sharper than any of my other hand tools. Invariably that is the first tool I reach for when doing the majority of my chisel work. I guess it is a stretch to say that I love that chisel, but I really think I might.

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John.

You'll never make yourself taller by standing on another mans shoulders.

Kenbo

The best money I ever spent was for a router raizer when I built my router table. No more awkward bit changes. Everything is done from above. Love this thing.
Ken

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firehawkmph

Hands down I have to go with my stanley thermos.
It keeps my coffee hot and my iced tea cold. How do it know?
Mike Hawkins

Gene Howe

Mike, I've wondered the same thing about my TS blades. Oak, UHMW, or aluminum...it don't matter. Now that I think on it, flesh too.

BTW, I just got my KerfMaker from Bridge City. I imagine that's soon to be one of my "can't do without" tools.

Jacktoo

Excellent post, I justify tools by performance, not by cost. Tools and accessories I would not be without. 691 Porter-cable router (125.00) 66-TA Powermatic table saw (3700.00) DF 500 Festool Domino (825.00) Wooddjam's router accessory (50.00). In answer to your question. It would have to be my router and accessory (175.00). I wish everyone a wonderful day!

woodman42

I would have to say my Powermatic TS. It is a hoss and the must have for my shop.

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