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Must haves under $100

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RoyBell

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Oct 11, 2015
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364
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Chicago
It's that time of the year again and my SO is badgering me about giving her a Christmas list.

So, I have an idea of what I want for tools, but they are all pretty pricey. Dovetail jigs- $150, sliding miter- $300, side tool box- $300, etc. So I figured I would come up with a list of smaller stuff.

One item I have been wanting is a clamp on straight edge. I use my circular saw a lot for ripping long sheets and always use a 2x4 and clamps. It would be nice to use one of these though and they aren't terribly expensive.

What else are some specialty tools that everyone likes that won't break the bank?
 
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Davefr

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It sounds like your focus is woodworking. Here's ten ideas:

1. 12" Swanson speed square (also excellent as a saw guide for making square cuts)
2. High end chisel(s) from Japan (maybe 2 but you don't need a large set)
3. Oscillating multitool
4. Machinist square or Starrett sliding T square/combination square
5. Set of Forstner bits and brad point bits
6. Cordless drill
7. Sharpening tools. (Diamond, granite surface plate, small belt sander, etc)
8. High end pocket knife or maybe a multitool
9. Lots and lots of good quality clamps
10. Woodworking quick release bench vise
 
S

ssdave

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Apr 11, 2015
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Eastern Oregon
Veritas Chisel and Plane blade honing guide from Lee Valley tools:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=51868&cat=1,43072,43078&ap=1

You won't find a better sharpening guide if you do planes and chisels.

While you're there, get one of their freezone 1/4" insert bit storage racks. You can't get a better storage for your 1/4" hex insert bits than theirs.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=71906&cat=1,43326

I'd second suggestions for a Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver. If you don't have one already, you'll be spoiled from using any other screwdrivers after you get your first one.
 
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Voi

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D

dirt_dobber

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Bee Cave, TX
Davefr said:
It sounds like your focus is woodworking. Here's ten ideas:

1. 12" Swanson speed square (also excellent as a saw guide for making square cuts)
2. High end chisel(s) from Japan (maybe 2 but you don't need a large set)
3. Oscillating multitool
4. Machinist square or Starrett sliding T square/combination square
5. Set of Forstner bits and brad point bits
6. Cordless drill
7. Sharpening tools. (Diamond, granite surface plate, small belt sander, etc)
8. High end pocket knife or maybe a multitool
9. Lots and lots of good quality clamps
10. Woodworking quick release bench vise
Click to expand...

:rocker: I now have a great Christmas list to pass to my SO :beer::thumbup:
 
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njric71

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Apr 6, 2011
Messages
180
I'm getting this: https://www.kregtool.com/store/c47/saw-accessories/p265/crown-protrade/ for one of my wood working family members. I had gotten him one of the Kreg Pocket hole sets a few years back and he absolutely loves it.

Also depending on which brand of cordless tools you use there might be a bare tool you could use that's in the <$100 range. i.e. a small 1/4 impact driver, tire inflator, flash light, etc.

And when all else fails.. as has already been mentioned.. clamps.. Whenever we don't know what to get dad he gets more clamps.. Cause it's a pretty well known fact in the wood working world that he who dies with the most clamps wins :rocker:
 
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M6erfan

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'Merica!
Davefr said:
It sounds like your focus is woodworking. Here's ten ideas:

1. 12" Swanson speed square (also excellent as a saw guide for making square cuts)
2. High end chisel(s) from Japan (maybe 2 but you don't need a large set)
3. Oscillating multitool
4. Machinist square or Starrett sliding T square/combination square
5. Set of Forstner bits and brad point bits
6. Cordless drill
7. Sharpening tools. (Diamond, granite surface plate, small belt sander, etc)
8. High end pocket knife or maybe a multitool
9. Lots and lots of good quality clamps
10. Woodworking quick release bench vise
Click to expand...

#3! I just got one and dont know why I waited so long
 
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RoyBell

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Oct 11, 2015
Messages
364
Location
Chicago
Thanks for the ideas guys. I have most everything listed. One thing I never have enough of is clamps though. Good idea.

Voi said:
Back when I did most of my woodworking I liked to carry a 10' tape measure with a stiffer, 1" wide tape into lumber yards for measuring rough sawn lumber.

Closest thing I've found are the Blindman Tape measures from Lee Valley.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32565&cat=1,43513

I'm now very fond of my Bosch GLM-15.

https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/laser-measuring-glm-15-120449-p/
Click to expand...

I have been buying the fatmax 16' tape for the past 15 years. Great tapes if you dont need anything long.
 
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Voi

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RoyBell said:
I have been buying the fatmax 16' tape for the past 15 years. Great tapes if you dont need anything long.
Click to expand...

That Fatmax is a bit bulkier than I like to carry around. My favorite everyday carry tape was an older Lufkin 10' with 1" wide tape.

I should note that I haven't actually ordered one of the Lee Valley tapes yet. My previous post didn't specify that. I would have liked to have had one this week while refrigerator shopping.
 
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CobraRed

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May 30, 2014
Messages
670
RoyBell said:
Thanks for the ideas guys. I have most everything listed. One thing I never have enough of is clamps though. Good idea.



I have been buying the fatmax 16' tape for the past 15 years. Great tapes if you dont need anything long.
Click to expand...

Was just going to suggest the FatMax 16'

It's seriously the perfect tape. At my old job I would no kidding use a tape measure around 250-500 times a day in pretty harsh greasy, dusty, and cutting coolant everywhere conditions. Other types would last around 4-6 months. My FatMax I would get about 1-1.5 years out of before all the coating started peeling off and numbers began to wear off. Great all around tape.

I would break out the big 25' when I needed to and keep that 16' on me all day long.
 
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Davefr

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jd_1138

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NE Ohio
Yep, can't have enough quality clamps. Also consumables like blades and drill bits. Have a shop radio? A shop radio using the brand of battery you're in is nice to have. Then you can move it to where you're working, or take it out on the back deck/porch for parties.
 
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RoyBell

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Oct 11, 2015
Messages
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Location
Chicago
CobraRed said:
Was just going to suggest the FatMax 16'

It's seriously the perfect tape. At my old job I would no kidding use a tape measure around 250-500 times a day in pretty harsh greasy, dusty, and cutting coolant everywhere conditions. Other types would last around 4-6 months. My FatMax I would get about 1-1.5 years out of before all the coating started peeling off and numbers began to wear off. Great all around tape.

I would break out the big 25' when I needed to and keep that 16' on me all day long.
Click to expand...

They are a beast in construction too. Rivets stay on, they don't crack easily and last a longtime.

Davefr said:
Do you have one of these? Tape measures aren't the best for precise layouts/measurements.

http://www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail/C310R-24
Click to expand...

whoa that's pretty sweet. Lotta dough though.

jd_1138 said:
Yep, can't have enough quality clamps. Also consumables like blades and drill bits. Have a shop radio? A shop radio using the brand of battery you're in is nice to have. Then you can move it to where you're working, or take it out on the back deck/porch for parties.
Click to expand...

Have a shop radio. That's crucial.
 
B

-Brent-

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Dec 23, 2009
Messages
4,709
Location
Utah
davethorik said:
Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver.
Click to expand...

Even less expensive is the Williams ratcheting screwdriver. Same mechanism and all, just the Williams name. I have the SO and like it so much I bought my brother the Williams, he loves it.
 
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