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?
- 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
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.
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.
A decent bench with a decent vice. Work holding is key.
