The Master Woodbutcher’s Tool Kit
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Here’s a list of my major tools in order of acquisition:
(line through tool description means tool has been retired)
- Craftsman 10" radial arm saw purchased 1972
- Craftsman 15" drill press purchased 1972, replaced by Delta 17-925 below
- Craftsman 20 gal shop vac purchased 1972
- Craftsman bandsaw purchased about 1973, replaced by Delta 28-280 below
- Craftsman jointer purchased about 1974, replaced by DJ-15 below
- Craftsman lathe purchased about 1980, replaced by Delta 46-701 below
- Craftsman scroll saw acquired about 1982
- Puma ¾ HP 8 gal compressor purchased about 1985, replaced by C-H compressor below
- Craftsman 10" table saw purchased about 1988, replaced by Unisaw below
- Cambell-Hausfeld 2 HP 20 gal compressor purchased about 1990
- Makita LS1030 chop saw purchased 1992
- Delta DJ-15 6" jointer purchased 1992, replaced by DJ-20 below
- Craftsman 5 HP 33 gal compressor purchased 1993
- Delta 22-540 12" planer purchased 1993, replaced by DC-380 below
- Jet DC650 1hp dust collector purchased 1995
- Delta 28-280 14" bandsaw purchased 1996
- Jet JML-1014 Mini Lathe purchased 2001
- Delta 17-925 17" variable speed drill press purchased 2003
- Delta DJ-20 8" jointer purchased 2003
- Delta DC-380 15" planer purchased 2003
- Delta Unisaw purchased 2004
- Delta 46-701 lathe purchased 2005
My shop once looked like an ad for Sears. Remember that prior to about 1985 or so there weren’t a lot of choices for places to go to buy tools. It’s only been within that last 15 or 20 years that we’ve had places like 7 Corners Ace Hardware, Tool Crib of the North, Woodworkers Supply of NM, WY, NC, etc., (and Amazon, too) to buy real tools from. So, as time goes on, the Craftsman inventory keeps going down and the Delta (and others) inventory keeps going up. Now the shop is starting to look like a Delta catalog.
Here’s a list of my other power tools in no particular order (well, alphabetical…sort of):
- Bosch 1584 jigsaw
- Bosch 1615EVS 3¼ HP plunge router
- Hitachi M12V 3¼ HP plunge router x 2
- Elu 3379 biscuit joiner
- Milwuakee 6148 4½" angle grinder
- Milwaukee 0375-1 close quarters drill
- Milwaukee 6758-1 drywall gun
- Milwaukee 1660-6 ½" drill
- Milwaukee M-12 series cordless drills (driver, hammer, impact—1 each)
- Makita HP 1500 ½" hammer drill
- Makita 3/8" drill
- Makita BO4510 ¼ sheet pad sander
- Makita 6011D 12V cordless drill x 2
- Makita 6095 9.6V cordless drill All Makita cordlelss drills replaced by Milwaukee M-12s
- Porter-Cable 333 random orbit sander
- Porter-Cable 343 random orbit sander
- Porter-Cable 7424XP Polisher
- Porter-Cable 690 router
- Porter-Cable 691 router D-handle
- Porter-Cable 693 plunge router
- Porter-Cable 310 laminate trimmer
- Porter-Cable Tiger reciprocating saw
- Porter-Cable 4¼" trim saw
- Porter-Cable Saw Boss 6" circular saw
- Porter-Cable 347 7¼" circular saw
- Porter-Cable 7499 drywall cutout tool
- Porter-Cable Omnijig 24" dovetailing fixture
- Kreg pocket hole jig
- Skil ½" drill
- Craftsman power plane
- Craftsman 4x24" belt sander
- Foredom Flexible Shaft Tool
- Dremel 275 MotoTool
- M-K Diamond MK370 wet saw
- CST/Berger rotary laser
- Remington 494 powder actuated nailer
- Earlex HV5000 HVLP sprayer
Some of these things (like the plane and the Foredom) I inherited from my father. I don’t think I would ever have bought a power plane, but that Foredom is quite handy. Thanks, Dad. For everything.
I have blamed Norm (Abram, he of flannel shirts, and New Yankee Workshop fame) for me having to spend hundreds of dollars getting certain tools. No category more so than being introduced to the world of air nailing. Following is my collection of air nailers:
- Bostich T-31 brad nailer (my first, specifically because of Norm; now gone)
- Bostich T-31 wide crown stapler (stole it on a closeout; now gone—both Bostiches died from lack of support for internal parts)
- Senco SN65 framing nailer (is there a better nailer than Senco?)
- Senco SFN40 finish nailer (is there a better Senco?)
- Senco SLP20 brad nailer (also Norm’s fault) replaced the T-31 (maybe the best Senco)
- Senco SFW08-C upholstery stapler
- Senco SLS20 narrow crown stapler
No tool gloat would be complete without mentioning the Bessey K-body clamp collection:
- 2 ea 12"
- 2 ea 50"
- 8 ea 40"
- 22 ea 24"
The inventory was increased by 62.5% during a fire sale of 24" and 40" K-bodies at Sears in 2001. I’ve also started adding some Bessey Tradesman clamps as well. In fact, I ODed on them when Home Depot closed them out in the winter of 2004.
There are also some Tru-Grip Clamp ’N Tool guides and some Quick-Grips, as well as a few C-clamps, and hand screws. I’m lucky; I don’t want much for clamping power.
Finally, if you haven’t had enough nausea over one man’s never ending tool gloat, here are some pictures of most of the aforelisted tools. Since I also have some comments on each of them you may pick up some worthwhile information—perhaps to help with your tool buying decision.
Last updated: 02 January 2018
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