Least used 'gotta have it' tool?

[Lee Reep]

Rarely use my scroll saw. Thought it would add another dimension to the shop.

Dittis on that. Made a few Christmas ornaments, and then realized I had neither the patience, or the interest, in making little frilly things that required a TON of intricate cuts.

Like so may others, I hardly ever use my biscuit joiner, but found a really good use for one. I built a large version of Festool's MFT workbench that has a CNC machined MDF top. I needed to fasten the top to the frame, but did not want any screws anchoring it from the top, down into the frame. I bought some "Z-clips" that ride in a groove on the workbench frame and screw into the underside of the top. The biscuit joiner was perfect for making those slots. (Thankfully it is a Harbor Freight model, so I paid next to nothing for it ...)

For all of you lamenting the fact that you dropped two bills or so on a Porter Cable biscuit joiner, check out the Lamello models at just shy of $600 ...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lamello-7..._sku=203945246

[Josh Morgan]

I have a biscuit jointer that I only purchased because it was barely used and cheap. Haven't used it yet.
Who is Norm?

[Jim Becker]

Who is Norm?

Norm Abram of This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop fame.

[Brian Henderson]

Norm Abram of This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop fame.

Retired from both, of course. I was thinking a couple of days ago how much I miss New Yankee Workshop, there doesn't seem to be any more real woodworking shows on TV anymore.

[Jon Nuckles]

Norm still shows up on TOH pretty frequently. He is such a legend that I assume Josh was just joshing with his question.

[Bill Leonard]

One vote for scroll saw. Purchased it at least 10 years ago and I would be hard pressed to find the on/off switch since I don't remember EVER turning it on.
Another vote for biscuit joiner. Used it more than scroll saw, BUT NOT MUCH.

[James Nugnes]

That was my favorite as well. I liked that much more than "This Old House".

[Josh Morgan]

Norm still shows up on TOH pretty frequently. He is such a legend that I assume Josh was just joshing with his question.

Wasn't Joshing. I've never had cable or satellite tv as I just don't watch much of it. I do occasionally catch TOH on a local broadcast.

[Jon Nuckles]

Sorry for the assumption and the poor pun, Josh. Norm's "New Yankee Workshop" was carried on most PBS stations, but has been off the air for a while now. Age may also be a factor in how familiar one is with the show.

[Josh Morgan]

Sorry for the assumption and the poor pun, Josh. Norm's "New Yankee Workshop" was carried on most PBS stations, but has been off the air for a while now. Age may also be a factor in how familiar one is with the show.

No reason to apologize, I Josh around all the time.
I have heard of it before. I'm 33.

[Pat Turner]

I've got a few tools that are rarely used. but awesome when needed.
Belt Sander
Handheld planer (fitting doors and the ocasional piece of molding)
"Drill press" guide for portable drill
Jigsaw

Unused is a 3/8" corded dril- a nice one, I gave away, along with a cheaper one.
All but unused are Visegrip pistol grip clamps- while I've got over 30 regular visegrip clamps, and Bessy and Jorg bar clamps.


My most used tool has to be my 7/32 stapler- Just drove my 30,000+ staple this weekend (opened replacement box number 11). I do a lot of construction using laminated plywood- I glue, clamp like a vice, staple, and move the clamps. The band saw is my "I never realized how much I would use it" tool- And thats with almost never cutting curves (what I assumed I bought it for) or doing resawing.

Festool track saw is used with one exception only for cuttign up sheet goods, but it's done it for 300+ sheets.

[Keith Pleas]

Two weeks ago I would have agreed on the scroll saw. I had a Shopsmith scroll saw that came with a complete set, but on its own base. For several years it was a handy table (with a small blade in the center!), so I moved it on. But I just bought another one over the holidays - $30 Delta from a guy who bought a new Dewalt and now I'm pumped. I thought I needed it for creating some teak surrounds for some light fixtures, but when I started reading the scrolling forums I got VERY excited about building some puzzles for my 3yo grandson. He now plays with MY 50+ year old toys (wood and metal, very little plastic!) and loves them, so it seems like something I would really enjoy (and the 2nd grandchild is due in July).

I too have the PC biscuit joiner, which I got for building some cabinets on my boat. But (as others have noted) there's a lot of slop in there, and getting and keeping things clamped just so was a PITA. So I went with a Kreg system, and that worked out awesome for my application - plus I can take the stateroom cabinets apart for modification later without destruction.

But now I'm working on some teak shutters for our masterbath remodel and the Kreg just isn't going to work aesthetically. Plus I read the FW article on joint strengths and decided to go with half-lap joints (also an excuse to buy box and dado sets for my table saw!).

And I have an old Craftsman belt sander sitting in the cabinet. Haven't used it in...15 years? The irony is, I'm looking at a (fixed) belt grinder to use before sharpening with my Tormek. I wonder if there's a way to build a tool to hold that belt sander...

[Brian Henderson]

That was my favorite as well. I liked that much more than "This Old House".

My problem with TOH, and honestly I haven't watched it for years, is that it's always taking old houses and "upgrading" them with the newest high tech gadgets. It's not an old house after they're done with it. "This No-Longer-Old House!"

[Dave Zellers]

My least used 'gotta have tool' would be my hammer ever since I acquired 10-12 nail guns / staplers / screw guns over the years.

Of course I've also moved from house carpentry to cabinetry, but having spent entire days doing nothing but nailing off sheathing when I was new, I don't miss that thing one bit.

[Bill Space]

Ha, ha...or maybe not...

I think it it must be the wife!