Favorite Tools for Wedding Registry

[ljb5]

I'm getting married this summer and, in addition to flatware and linens, my fiancee has authorized me to include a small number of tools on the wedding registry.

A complete inventory of my tool chest is as follows:

one medium size phillips head screwdriver

I'd like to augment this with some nice, simple, high-quality hand tools which will last me a lifetime and prove most useful in a variety of projects such as strip-planked kayaks, a small cutter and furniture construction. I'm especially interested in traditional construction methods.

Obviously I can't get by with just four tools, but if you were to start anew, which four would you start with?

[ 01-26-2004, 03:31 PM: Message edited by: ljb5 ]

[NormMessinger]

I'm not sure what they do nowadays but in the old days any good Western Kansas farmer could get along with a hammer, a screw driver and a pair of slip joint pliars. Choosing a fourth will take a little more thought. You gonna do wood work or change the oil in your Lexus? It's a slippery slope, grasshopper.

[ChuckG]

Ha! This will be fun,

Here are the top four things I reach for, and all should be of the best quality you can afford or talk someone into buying:

1. Low angle block plane
2. Ryobi Saw (the japanese ones that have rip teeth on one side and cross-cut on the other)
3. half-inch beveled chisel
4. 6-inch steel ruler, graduated in at least 32nds, if not 64ths

Obviously, there are lots more one absolutely can't live without. :D

cg

[ljb5]

Nice - I like the block plane and the Ryobi saw. They've got nice 'heirloom' potential. I think the emotional factor is important; since these are hopefully going to be wedding presents.

I think I can spring for the ruler myself.

[ChuckG]

ok, replace the last item with:

#4 A good (highly accurate) try square.
And by the way, congrats on getting married ! Especially to a person that is supportive of your addictions !!

[Alan D. Hyde]

A crosscut saw, a brace, an adjustable square, and a claw hammer. Buy an old plane in good condition at a local garage sale: if you get there early, $10 might do it for the plane. An egg-beater drill from the same source for the same (or perhaps slightly less).

Surprising how much one can build with those tools.

Later on, a set of chisels, an axe, and a sledgehammer. A medium-size pipe wrench can do many things. A crowbar, a pry bar, a set of combination wrenches and socket wrenches... Ahhh, there are so many helpful tools, and so much craft that can be acquired in using them; it's a pleasant topic.

Alan

[ 01-26-2004, 03:45 PM: Message edited by: Alan D. Hyde ]

[Gary E]

Ummm.... well.... uhh....

Foist of all ya need a HAMMER.... ya gona do some NAILIN... you know, hangin the pitcher's on the wall..

Next ya gona do some DRILLIN...so you need a 3/8 chuck lectric drill motor and some drill bits... this for the heaver pitcher frames...

After that, you'l see a task, but you wont have the tool, but the Home Depot is just down the street.. smile.gif

Congrats guy, it's a wonderfull trip..

G

[ljb5]

Originally posted by ChuckG:
ok, replace the last item with:

#4 A good (highly accurate) try square.
And by the way, congrats on getting married ! Especially to a person that is supportive of your addictions !!She's not just supportive - she's driving me on.

Not only does she own nicer tools than I have, but the other day, she said to me, "I think next year we ought to paddle a couple of kayaks up the Inside Passage." Well, my eyes just about popped out of my head when I heard that.

[Alan D. Hyde]

For their honeymoon, my parents (in 1948) canoed the "Gunflint Trail" (the route of the voyagers).

Almost 56 years later, they're still going strong.

I'd say the omens bode well for you... :D

Alan

[ljb5]

Oh, we also gotta think about price, since these are to be gifts. Shall we say $35 to $70?

[Stargazer14]

Sawsall - anything can be taken apart, put back together, or cut into pieces small enuf to be hidden with this does-all tool.
Its all you need.

oh, and an extension cord.

:D

[John Bell]

SawzAll: the ultimate un-builder's tool. For the deconstructionist hidden deep inside you... :D

[alphatopher]

Having just recently been married three years ago, we too had a tool/garden shower. This was very welcome because we were also moving into our first house. Some of the cool things the I, sorry we, received included a Porter Cable plunge/router combo kit, a 5 foot level, a chisel set, a 5 hp shop vac, and a 10 piece assortment of jorgensen clamps. I was a very happy camper. In addition, we also were given a vast selection of shovels, picks, rakes, and other very useful things.

[alphatopher]

Having just recently been married three years ago, we too had a tool/garden shower. This was very welcome because we were also moving into our first house. Some of the cool things the I, sorry we, received included a Porter Cable plunge/router combo kit, a 5 foot level, a chisel set, a 5 hp shop vac, and a 10 piece assortment of jorgensen clamps. I was a very happy camper. In addition, we also were given a vast selection of shovels, picks, rakes, and other very useful things.

[ljb5]

Tool Porn!

http://www.fine-tools.com/ece6gf.jpg

[JimConlin]

After the hammer, block plane, square, Japanese handsaw and slipjoint pliers, I'd recommend a cordless drill. The 9.6 v. Makita is strong enough and can be found for about $85.

[Alan D. Hyde]

In my own Yankee/Hoosier opinion, one competent tool USED to build many worthwhile projects, is worth a dozen expensive & pretentious "heirlooms"-to-be that do nothing but collect dust.

Alan

(BTW, any plane should be left lying on its SIDE.)

[ljb5]

http://www.fine-tools.com/saegenset1.jpg

As a set, for about $70

[Jim H]

Originally posted by alphatopher:
...and a 10 piece assortment of jorgensen clamps.All the years that some of you have been on the forum and it's the new guy who mentions clamps, I am disappointed. ;) Clamps, nobody ever has enough clamps!

[Ken Hutchins]

That all important usefull Makita 9.6 V is on sale at a new orange box in Hooksett NH for $69.95, that is the drill, 2 batteries (metal hydride), charger and case. That's less than the regular cost of the 2 batteries .

[Ken Hutchins]

Yes, clamps, never have enough.

[N. Scheuer]

Somebody said SAWSALL. Add to that a 1/2" Milwaukee variable speed, reversable drill, any decent 10" table saw, and a Delta Bandsaw.

Hey, other people are buying, so go for broke!

Have fun, Moby Nick

[guillemot]

Hand tools I reach for most often:

0) Hard knee-pads. I am naked in the shop without them. ~$10
1) Stanley low angle block plane ~ $50
2) Starret 12" combination square with 1/64" increments ~ $60, if I remember right
3) ryoibi japanese pull saw. I mostly use the very fine one with 19-21 teeth/inch that I can cut dovetails and very fine angles with. has a stiffening edge and only cuts on one side. The two sided ones are very handy too ~$35 for the first variety; ~$20 for the second
4) 3/8" chuck cordless drill 14.4V Black and Decker "Storm" series. ~$60 (goes on sale at the orange box periodically)
5) Hammer - $20
6) 1/2" beveled chizel $?
7) Wooden mallet or hammer (can't use the chizel without it. free (borrowed from a relative)
8)Clamps. As many as you can get! I got a dozen 8" C-clamps from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/) for $3 each last year. They go on sale there all the time (in various sizes), just keep an eye on their web site for sale prices. Much of their stuff is pretty cheaply made, but I've had good experiences with their clamps made by Central Forge.
9) Medium grit diamond sharpening stone - your plane and chizel are worthless without this (should be higher on the list). ~ $20
10)Jigsaw (cheap one made by skill) ~$30
11) a box to put all them in! they look so nice together. :D

most appreciated bigger tools - 14" delta bandsaw and 10" table saw

12" planer and 6" jointer are next on my wish list. Check out the Grizzly catalog!

don't forget assorted pencils and dust masks, eye and ear protection. I might add a longer straight-edge after these basics. Good luck!

Jeff

[ 01-26-2004, 09:55 PM: Message edited by: guillemot ]

[Hughman]

Four heirloom tools (It's the concept):

pocket knife. (edge tool category)
duct tape. (for medical emergencies)
shingle hatchet. (shaping and persuasion)
RR bar. (Archimedean applications)

...and a towell. (hitchikers guide recommendation)

anything else is vanity.