Workshop stuff

[Dusty Buffalo]

I received a gift card for Home Depot that I plan to use to stock up on some of the basics with but I was wondering if there was something that you've found that you use all the time in your workshop. We all have our own way of doing things and maybe we could all benefit from others suggestions. I always like to find new toys to use. I'm not looking for really expensive things more like under $50.

I need to acquire more clamps and of course you can never have enough sand paper. I always think I have way more than enough but that never seems to be the case. I just need to find a better way to store my sand paper. I'll have to work on that this weekend. It's supposed to rain all weekend so it's the perfect time to get organized.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Jediscroller]

You already hit on clamps, you can never have too many. Sandpaper, sanding pads, shop rags, latex gloves all come to mind as things I go through regularly.
Finishes I always try to stock up on when they're on sale as well.

Kevin

[ozarkhillbilly]

Yes you can never have enough sandpaper, stains,tung oil, also spray adhesives and glue. And tools! Do you have a palm sander? And as mentioned
clamps. Paste wax for your saw table. It adds up quick.

[Marcel in Longueuil]

Hi,

Depends on what you got and what you like doing.

Here are some suggestions:
screws, wall/ceiling hangers for projects, razor/pull saw, square, protractor, wood calculator, router bits, bandsaw blades, tablesaw blades, stains, finishes, wood, paint brushes, rags, shop towels, nitrile gloves, dust mask, protective eye wear, ear protectors, dowels, small box hinges

Regards,
Marcel

[minowevie]

Hi Kelly, Wow if i had $50.00 to blow. I sure wouldn't waist it on small stuff. I would head for the tools for sure. I was going to mention a palm sander also. I have a dewalt orbitale. and a mouse palm sanders. also I love my little 1" belt sander. I probley use that more than any other while Im trimming up my wood around a pattern. say a round piece or even a straight piece. I don't have to stay on the line so tight. I can leave a little room if I am in a hurry. and sand the rest off with that cool tool. also do you have needale files. they are great for cleaning up inside cuts. I like the bent end ones, but the straight ones are worth have ing too. not to forget wood. I get some 1/4 red oak there too. also popler. that can get exspencive. at 4 to 8 bucks a piece. have fun on you shoping spree. your friend Evie.

[Dusty Buffalo]

Thanks for the suggestions. There are definately things I wouldn't have thought of. I've got most of the basics: palm sander, belt/disc sander combo, tiny files, dremel tool with a multitude of accessories, hammers, screwdrivers, side cutters, among other things. The hubby bought me my tool chest for Christmas so I'm set there.

I guess I'll stock up on the basics and whatever's left I'll put away until I need some more wood.

[Thomp]

Shop items under $50.

Dusty Buffalo,

you mentioned you needed clamps,
localy here at louisiana WALMARTS they have a bag of 16 plastic scizzor type clamps of assorted sizes of for under $5.00 i wouldnt stop with less than 5 bags, you can never have enough clamps, then but a big plastic tub to keep them in..

clamps range from
2 that you can clamp 2x4's togather with down to 1 inch small clamps 2 of each size excepr 4 of the 3 smaller sized clamps

harborfreight.com is a great place to buy cheap tools, like the 1 inch x 30 belt sander minowevie showed in her photo i got mine for 29.00 with about 25 belts of different grit for 8.00, of course cheep tools wear out sooner but at prices like this you could afford 2... I bought the same small grinder also, it has a chuck that you can use a dremel burr with... not great flexshaft but it will get you out of a tight spot. the motor is veriable speed, \
and if you watch the sales you can get anything at harbor freight for half price i never take out there additional. insurance on things less than $50.00

[minowevie]

Dusty Buffalo,

you mentioned you needed clamps,
localy here at louisiana WALMARTS they have a bag of 16 plastic scizzor type clamps of assorted sizes of for under $5.00 i wouldnt stop with less than 5 bags, you can never have enough clamps, then but a big plastic tub to keep them in..

clamps range from
2 that you can clamp 2x4's togather with down to 1 inch small clamps 2 of each size excepr 4 of the 3 smaller sized clamps

harborfreight.com is a great place to buy cheap tools, like the 1 inch x 30 belt sander minowevie showed in her photo i got mine for 29.00 with about 25 belts of different grit for 8.00, of course cheep tools wear out sooner but at prices like this you could afford 2... I bought the same small grinder also, it has a chuck that you can use a dremel burr with... not great flexshaft but it will get you out of a tight spot. the motor is veriable speed, \
and if you watch the sales you can get anything at harbor freight for half price i never take out there additional. insurance on things less than $50.00

Tom I so agree. I wish you could use a gift certifecate, from home depot, at harbor frieght. thats where i get alot of my tools. and for clamps oh ya. just can't have enouph clamps. my favorite ones are the 4" pistol grip bar clamps , you can get them from harbor frieght for only $1.50 sometimes. so I clean up. also awhile back they had the spring clamps on sale. from 2" up to 6" for like $2.00 a whole bag of 6 or 8 can't remmber now . but my hubby said WHY are you buying more clamps. HA guess who gets into my clamps all the time.lol Here is how I keep some of my clamps.
Woops hope 2 didn't dounload. thats only about half my clamps. never enouph . your friend Evie

[sheltiecarver]

Kelly,
I didn't see where you listed a drill press. I have a $39 drill press - obviously it is not very good at that price, but I've already not spoiled about that much wood from making out-of-square (not 90 degree) starter holes. I would start in a very good corner location on the front - only to come out in the good wood on the bottom. So, if you don't have one, it may be a good one to add to your wish list. The one at HF is plenty good, but sometimes you can get a deal at HD.
I suggest you ask for several more gift cards!!
Sandy

[Thomp]

If i spend over $100.00 on a power tool im going for best amperage rating and name brand. but for bench tools that no matter how much you spend on them they have no load rating and usualy no amperage rating. if you want you can go buy a delta porter cable or craftsman drill press but i bought one from big lots for $40.00 its not something you would want to try drilling a one inch hole through a plate of steel with, it just wouldnt hold up. but i use my fly cutter and often make 5 inch holes in wood for squrell feeders to fit the mouth of gallon jars.

although battery operated drills are all the rage, i will not ever buy another one in my life.
i have bought about 10 of them and there in a pile in the shed. all with batterys that wont hold a charge for more thaqn 30 minuets, i feel i can do more work teathered with a power cord than running for a battery from the charger every 30 minuets