I’m very new to woodworking and I’m focusing on learning how to use hand tools. I’m slowly acquiring more tools and setting up my workshop, but I just know that there will be something super useful that I haven’t thought about, and won’t realise that I need it until I actually need it.

What items can you just not live without in your shop?

  • @gizmonicus
    4•1 year ago
    • there’s no such thing as too many clamps
    • a good rasp will pay for itself in sandpaper
    • make or buy a marking gauge, and keep a sharp marking knife handy
    • do you have enough clamps yet? no you don’t
    • SausageOP
      2•1 year ago

      I definitely need more clamps! I think just work holding in general (and a decent bench to hold the work to) is something that I need to invest in.

      A rasp is definitely on my list. Are there any particular types you recommend? I’ve got a shinto rasp on my wishlist, but I suspect that’s not quite what you’re talking about.

      • ReclamationCrafts
        3•1 year ago

        A sturdy bench is a good call. Hard to do much without a good bench.

        For rasps the Shinto comes highly recommended. Otherwise hand stitched rasps are supposedly the best but also cost the most.

      • @gizmonicus
        1•1 year ago

        I’m on a budget so I got a 4 in hand rasp/file combo and I use it all the time. Something like this. As another commenter said, the hand stitched ones are better because they don’t leave grooves like a machine made one, supposedly, but it’s not a big deal in my opinion.

        Bench should be your #1 priority for sure. You can make a decent one with 2x4s using nothing but basic hand tools, but you will need lots of clamps!