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Thread: You're on a deserted island...

  1. #1

    You're on a deserted island...

    You're on a deserted island. Which 5 hand tools do you take?


    Seriously though, I'm starting from scratch where real woodworkers hand tools are concerned. I'm pretty well set with stationary power tools and my Festool collection has grown nicely in the last 10 months. But as completion of my shop nears and I start making sawdust I'd like to know which are the most used, most useful hand tools, measuring tools included. Initially I'll be cabinet making if that helps steer the responses.


    Disclaimer. I do have a Woodpecker 1218 Square and 24" T square. No planes, chisels or anything else used to cut wood that doesn't plug in.


    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Kapolei Hawaii
    Posts
    3,236
    1 "real" pencil
    2 pencil sharpener
    3 speed square
    4 block plane
    5 1/2" chisel

  3. block plane
    square
    1/2" chisel
    3/8" chisel
    carcass saw
    Then I would use these to make a mallet.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Glenmoore Pa.
    Posts
    767
    1) Machete
    2) File for sharpening machete
    3) Brush for cleaning file
    4) Leather belt mounted carrying pouch for file & brush.
    5) Belt

  5. #5
    Chainsaw
    Bandsaw mill
    Circular saw
    Draw knife
    Sewing machine

    'cause I'm building me a boat and getting off the island.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    WNY
    Posts
    9,599
    Low angle block plane, set of chisels, #4 or #5 plane, rabbet plane, Japanese Ryoba saw.

    John

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Northwestern Connecticut
    Posts
    7,149
    Uh...are you going unplugged? Cause thats a whole different thing. On a real dessert island, your going to need to rip and cross cut to dimension by hand...so a couple of saws are your best friend . In a real shop...er...with electricity....my band saw will kick your bow saws butt every time.

    If the question were which 5 hand tools does a guy with a power tool shop find the most indispensable........


    Block plane
    card scraper
    dovetail saw...mine is from Vertitas
    #4 smoother
    bench chisels.....set...I know its more than one, but its in one box, does that count? If I had to have just one, it would be a 1 1/4".....and a 1/4"...and a 3/8".....I need more than one. get a set.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Lafayette, Indiana
    Posts
    1,378
    1) Workbench with face and end vise, a pair of hold fasts, dog holes (yes one tool with a few accessories)
    2) Waterstones (one plane maker suggests you can bet buy with a 800 and 8000 stone. I note that King has 1000/6000 combo stone which might be a compromise if you really on get one stone.
    3) Bench Chisels (no point in buying just one - you may as well get a set).
    4) #5 Jack Plane
    5) Combination Square

    +1 on making a mallet

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Bourque View Post
    1) Machete
    2) File for sharpening machete
    3) Brush for cleaning file
    4) Leather belt mounted carrying pouch for file & brush.
    5) Belt
    Doesn't take me much to imagine you're chopping down trees..... either you're building a raft or a tiki bar. I had myself an axe. Maybe a knife. Rocks on the island will be my sharpening stones. Hand brace and finally augers would be helpful. The brace would do nicely for rope and twines, too!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    NE Ohio
    Posts
    6,960
    Cabinet making - - - pinch sticks, sanding block, card scraper, 4 foot straight edge and Rockler silicone glue brush (best thing since sliced bread or Bench Cookies to come down the pike in a long time)
    My granddad always said, :As one door closes, another opens".
    Wonderful man, terrible cabinet maker...

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    5,582
    1) Big, bad Bowie hunting knife
    2) mid size hatchet
    3) folding camp saw
    4) 100 ft of 3/8" nylon rope
    5) flint and steel fire starter

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Glenmoore Pa.
    Posts
    767
    I forgot 1 item:

    I'm also going to need a coconut radio like the one the Professor made.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Northern Kentucky
    Posts
    3,279
    I will need a machete
    axe
    gun
    ammo
    four women to do the work

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Austin Texas
    Posts
    1,957
    Ginger and Marry Ann, plus whatever three tools they want.
    David

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by David Eisenhauer View Post
    Ginger and Marry Ann, plus whatever three tools they want.
    Not your tools!!

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