What is your best tool for wood kits!

Joined
Mar 23, 2020
Messages
77
Points
88

As I am nearing the end of my first build, I have learned a lot but now want to reassess my workshop tools and "stuff" I would like to add to it. If there was one tool that got me through the endeavour it was a Lee Valley "ultra-thin razor saw". What is yours so I might consider adding it to my wish list. Cheers, Derek

best tool.jpg
 
My second most useful tool. Came to it mid-build but wow how great a tool.

.calipers.jpg
 
When I retired from podiatry I hung on to some of my old surgical tools. The most useful for ship building (and other household uses) have been hemostats,mainly used for clamping blood vessels during surgery. For our purposes here they needn't be surgical quality. Here's an example of an inexpensive set that would work;

 
Never thought about those but see how useful they would be - on my wish list. And yes to Brewerpaul - a mm vs inches a most.
Derek
 
Years ago a hardware store went out of Business, they had a small tool section, I bought a lot of stuff and this caliper, it’s plastic, but It works, the basic wood model tool kit I got years ago at Model Expo I use all the time, ( miter box, champs, 2 knives, drill, bits, sanding block)
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    641.9 KB · Views: 6
Sharp blades for Exacto handle or scalpel handle, a dozen small clamps to hold thing together while drying.

One other cheap by priceless tool, is a sanding board, think of nail files or polish boards, can be found in most stores in beauty section. Larger beauty supply stores have them in multiple grits, from fine to extra extra fine for polishing nails, works great to get fuzz off boards and clean up tabs from laser cut pieces.
 
Ditto, want to build in that area of my toolkit. As COVID-19 restricts me from getting out to the "beauty shop sections", I like to check the grits out and not comfortable buying on-line for these crazy little items. Thanks for the suggestions. Derek
 
I used to work in a dental laboratory... we had everything from hemostats to surgical blades, burs and drills, virtually anything you can think of.....Actually, doing lab work is what got me into this hobby. Although, I do miss working in the dental field.
 
Hey Kurt Suleski, I got one of those as a kit with various grits for $10.00 - best decision I made. I use it for everything.
So handy.
Derek
 
Years ago a hardware store went out of Business, they had a small tool section, I bought a lot of stuff and this caliper, it’s plastic, but It works, the basic wood model tool kit I got years ago at Model Expo I use all the time, ( miter box, champs, 2 knives, drill, bits, sanding block)

As I have the bad habit to leave my tools 'somewhere' on the desk I thought I buy a few plastic ones so at least one could be found every time. Well, all three were 1 mm out. Made in China.
János
 
Last edited:
It is not hard to pick my best tool for kits. Simply, I don't build too many... and they are from Master Korabel and\or Falkonet. Those kists assembled like Ikea furniture and, for the most part, need only a few hobby knives and glue. However, due to their small scale my best tool is...yes, you got it right - optivisor!!

donegan-optivisor.jpg
 
Too many really helpful tools to choose.

IMG_20200522_121842216.png

But most used at the moment are three home made sanding blocks.
IMG_20200522_121930644.png
IMG_20200522_122007491.png
IMG_20200522_122027035.png
The two rectangular ones are hinged at the front and scraps of sandpaper wrap around and get held in place with hand pressure.
The old hammer handle has a piece of velcro (hook and loop) and I attach scraps of velcro sand paper from rotary tools for sanding curves.
Sometimes something close at hand and adapted for a particular use turns out to become a favourite. :cool: :cool:
 
Hey Kurt Suleski, I got one of those as a kit with various grits for $10.00 - best decision I made. I use it for everything.
So handy.
Derek
It's getting bad when there are so many Kurt's on the forum that they have to call us by first and last name.

Kurt Konrath
 
Back
Top