So, My MIL and SIL (I married into a great Family) are already hounding me for X-mas lists. This year I think I am going to ask for wood working tools.
the first thing is a digital angle finder for the table saw, and maybe a digital angle finder ruler.
So what would you ask for? I am looking for small or cheaper items. my inlaws are great but not made of money.
The digital angle finder is a good tool. Other good items to have (that won't break the bank) are below:
1. A good machnists square. I use my 6" all the time.
2. Dial calipers (either digital or dial - I use both).
3. A high quality combination square (this is a good area not to skimp). This month's FWW magazine has a nice comparison. They rank Starrett the best, but the PEC tool is the best "value".
4. A Wixey digital height indicator. I use mine all the time on the tablesaw and router table.
5. Some good steel rules.
BTW - this isn't the list that "I would want" for myself, as I already have these. However, this is the list that I would recommend for you based upon your post.
thanks for the input. has anyone used the wixey planer guage? how doe sit work or hook up to older delta planers?
I need to check out that fww mag, which reminds me mag sub. need to go on the list
I just installed the planer gauge on my new to me Dewalt 735. Setup is quite easy. It sits on the rail that shows how thick you are cutting to. All you have to do is make sure the bottom portion is flat with the planer bed, then calibrate it, and it's good. You will have to drill a hole in your measurement guide and screw the gauge rail into it though. But that was easy to do.
I also have the angle gauge from them. Very easy to use, and gets you to within 0.1 deg. I'd buy both again.
The digital angle finder is a good tool. Other good items to have (that won't break the bank) are below:
1. A good machnists square. I use my 6" all the time.
2. Dial calipers (either digital or dial - I use both).
3. A high quality combination square (this is a good area not to skimp). This month's FWW magazine has a nice comparison. They rank Starrett the best, but the PEC tool is the best "value".
4. A Wixey digital height indicator. I use mine all the time on the tablesaw and router table.
5. Some good steel rules.
I have two Wixey digital angle finders. I purchased one, and later purchased a Wixey digital rule for the table saw, which included a "free" digital angle finder.
They all gather dust, but for different reasons.
My digital angle finders go through batteries. I am frustrated that the few times I need to use for some odd angle, the battery is dead and this is with very little use.
The Wixey digital rule is just not accurate enough. Good idea, but the method to read the position is not accurate enough. A slight nudge and the scale jumps to the next position, but by eye I can see I am just slightly one side of a line. The positioning method needs higher resolution. The display is 3 places of decimal, but practically I use the fraction readout. Perhaps it is just the method to convert decimal to fraction which causes the "jump".
Stanley #55 plane with all 4 box cutters.
Even if I have to make my own blades due to excessive pitting on the old ones, I'd sell my right kidney for one of these.
If I already had all the needed woodworking tools I needed, I might put those woodworking toys on the list. Hardly a needed tool in my book.
Dial caliper, yes
Nice squares, yes
A lot depends on what you already have, and what price range we are talking. 20" planer would be nice!
Stanley #55 plane with all 4 box cutters.
Even if I have to make my own blades due to excessive pitting on the old ones, I'd sell my right kidney for one of these.
Yeah. I haven't even begun hand tooling yet but that plane speaks to me. It's magical. Like I'm seven years old and its the latest bike with high rise handle bars, a banana seat and chrome fenders.
A Tiltbox like Kenbo has. I keep forgetting to look it up and get one. Then I see one of his pics and remember that I want one. In fact, lemme go look that up now...
A Tiltbox like Kenbo has. I keep forgetting to look it up and get one. Then I see one of his pics and remember that I want one. In fact, lemme go look that up now...
Mine came in the mail last Thursday, along with the fractional caliper. The first thing I did was check my table saw blade. It was dead on. It is certainly good to know for sure. The real help will be when I do some angle cuts. Thanks Kenbo for recommending it!
Looks like I will be asking for a planer for Christmas.
I love my Wixey Digital Angle Gauge. I didnt do any comparative shopping when I bought it so I dont know how it compares, but mine is accurate and works perfectly.
My angle gauge hasn't run out of batteries yet. I've only had it for about 6 months, but it's still going strong. Even after a few times of accidentally leaving it on overnight.
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