Tools you bought because you saw Norm Abram use them...

[Curt Harms]

Hello All

<snip>
Really do want one of those little PC trim saws though, really neat little tool I think.

A.W.D.

The P-C model 314 is a handy lil' critter and I can't think of an equivalent. If you want one, I wouldn't dally too long. I don't know that they're made anymore. Coastaltool.com shows them as discontinued. Tools-plus says nothing found. Amazon lists a couple parts but no saws. They are still on Porter Cable's web site though so I'm not certain what's going on with them.

[Matthew Hills]

For those needing help remembering the specific tools:

http://www.normstools.com/normstools.shtml


I had one of those jack-rabbit drill/drive kits, but seem to recall that I didn't like it too much, and just use a dual drill/driver setup now (snappy countersink set and a square driver)

Matt

[Dave Zellers]

This fascination with Norm is not Normal.

[Gary Muto]

I have a similar photo (see below -- that's me in the back to the left of Kevin O'Connor)...

Jason,
That's pretty cool! When I started to read it I thought you were making a joke.
nice gloat BTW

[Kevin Bourque]

This fascination with Norm is not Normal.

It's called "Bromance"

[Cary Falk]

I will have to say nothing because I must be the only person on the planet that has never watched his show. On the other hand, this forum has cost me a small fortune.

[Dave Zellers]

On the other hand, this forum has cost me a small fortune.

True DAT!

[Greg Hines, MD]

I recently bought some of the Bessey clamps, and while I haven't used them a lot, I do like them. I also have a collection of Bessey Revo clamps that I use all the time. I bought a Shopsmith after seeing him use one in some of the really early shows, and I still use it. Someday when I have the big shop I want to build, I will get the bigger saws and drill press that I know I need, but it works for me for now.

Doc

[Jim Mackell]

Bought a biscuit joiner based on the show. Seemed like a good idea at the time. After dusting it off 2 or 3 years in a row, sold it. Bought a Grizzly jointer based on the show. Not a lot of woodworkers in my area and I'd never seen how useful a good jointer can be. Have the Grizzly for over 10 years now and it's a godsend. Always enjoyed the show and the projects. Even if it would take me a year to make all the jigs and templates he used to "save time".

[Tony Haukap]

It's called "Bromance"

I started working with wood when I was probably around 10 or 12. Since no one in my family was into woodworking/tools, it was a learn as you go procedure. I can remember watching Roy Underhill (Woodwright's Shop) and thinking there must be an easier way! When the New Yankee Workshop started I was already well into woodworking and his methods were very familiar to me. So, I readily identified with him, his techniques and the kinds of projects he was building.

[Larry Edgerton]

Zero, don't have a TV.......

Larry

[David Helm]

Never bought anything because of Norm, but the PC Sawboss saw is a great tool. During my years carpentering, after discovering that saw, I put my worm drive away for good. I have owned and worn out two of those saws and wish I had another. I even stopped using a toolbelt on building projects, or if I did use it, I didn't load it up with stuff: tape, hammer, chisel, square, pencil and whatever nails I was using. Always fun to see new guys with giant tool belts loaded to the max. By the end of their first week they either learned or had a sore back!

[ken masoumi]

I made Norm's router table and use it all the time. I can't think of anything that I bought specifically because Norm had one. Perhaps my mortiser was influenced a bit by Norm's use of one. I never missed a show.

I have the old Porter-Cable one he use to use it years ago,I just love mine ,it is still a very good router table.

[Jason White]

No joke! I used to live near Boston and worked as a producer at This Old House for 8 years. These guys are all good friends of mine.

- Jason

Jason,
That's pretty cool! When I started to read it I thought you were making a joke.
nice gloat BTW

[Jerome Hanby]

I think one of the best things about the NYWS, other than that Timesaver sander and the Hitachi Resaw, Norm didn't have anything in his shop that I couldn't work out some way to buy if I really wanted it. I have acquired several pieces of equipment that I saw used effectively for the first time by Norm (Mortiser comes to mind), but I never went looking for some exact brand or model, just best quality/price I could manage.