There are certain tools I use everyday in my wood shop, and some of them don't cost more than $10 to purchase. Today I'm gonna share with you the top five tools under $10 that I use in my shop everyday.
But first I want to give a shout out for a product that has made my life a ton easier.
It's this Tool Pouch from Bucket Boss, This thing is awesome and is a great alternative to wearing the traditional woodworking apron that most wood workers use ( it's not my style, but if it's yours that great!)
All five of the tools plus more fit in this pouch and sit right on my side ready to be used anytime I need them. I can not say enough good things about this product. This is not a sponsor for bucket boss, just a woodworker sharing a good product.
Here are my top 5 tools!
#1) Self-Lock or Lever-Lock Tape Measure
I like the self locking tape measure over the traditional style because I don't have to push the button twice (once to lock the tape and once to release the lock). It may seem like a very small thing, and to some it might be, but to me when I'm in a hurry it makes a big difference to only have to push it once when I want to release it.
Or maybe I just have short thumbs or a lack of thumb coordination to flip the little switch. I don't know.
2) Spring Loaded Nail Punch
A spring loaded nail punch is great for when drilling a or setting a screw in an exact place is important. I use my spring loaded nail punch whenever I have to use my drill press or drill gun with a forester bit or other precision bit.
I also use my spring loaded nail punch when doing lathe work. after finding the center on each end of my blank I use mark the center with the nail punch so I can line up the head and tail stock correctly. Spring loaded nail punch is a great tool to have in a pinch.
3) Giant Crayon
I use these lumber crayons to mainly mark up rough lumber before it goes through the milling process so that I can easily tell where the uneven/high spots are. you could use a pencil or even chalk but I find that a pencil is hard to see (especially if you are using dark wood like walnut) and chalk gets messy on your hands and can break easily.
A crayon is easy to see when you are in a grove of milling up rough lumber, and you can get them in different colors if you would like to get them for all sort of things. I usually only use red but... you do you.
4) Mini Speed Square (Trim Square)
Squares are a must for any wood worker but I find that they can be bulky to lug around, and I hate running across the shop to get one especially after gluing something up that I need to check for square on.
That's where a mini speed square is great. It easy to grab from your side pouch (or apron if that's more your style) to check for square before setting that final screw or tightening down that clamp for the glue up. Other square have their applications and are valuable to have as well, but I find myself reaching for my mini square more than the others.
5) Utility Knife
If you don't have a utility knife in your shop, I don't know how you function as a wood worker. There are obvious application for a utility knife like opening packages of new hardware, or a new tool you purchased. There are more unconventional applications they can be used for like marking wood instead of using a pencil, or cross slicing wood grain so you get a cleaner chisel work or cut at the miter saw.
Either way a utility knife is a must have in the shop. I mean sure you could keep using your teeth to open that package screws like a caveman, or you could just purchase a utility knife and join the rest of civilization.
So there you have it, 5 tools I use in my shop every day for under $10. Current prices of above links may vary depending on the listings, but you can definitely find comparable products for under $10. Go pick them up! they will make your life a heck of a lot easier.
NEVER STOP CREATING!
(These links are affiliate links and may pay the PMW a small commission when purchase. Thanks for your support)