For general measure and marking its a simple 12 ft tape measure and mechanical pencil with 0.5 mm lead (never tried 2 mm lead like Patrick - that's more like a crayon IMO). Also, the basic 6 inch square and homemade marking knife
For general measure and marking its a simple 12 ft tape measure and mechanical pencil with 0.5 mm lead (never tried 2 mm lead like Patrick - that's more like a crayon IMO). Also, the basic 6 inch square and homemade marking knife
I must ammend my response. This is my absolute favorite tool along with a small tack hammer. Both belonged to my grandfather. I have pictures when I was 4 years old using the hammer. The hammer is still in use, and at 99 my grandfather is still going strong. I have older memories of the hammer but the ruler was really specially when he gave it to me in my 20's. It almost never gets used. At 99 he just recently gave me the history of the ruler. It belonged to his father and was made in New Hartford CT, coincidentally the next town over. The company sold their ruler patterns to Stanley. We took a drive and he knew exactly where the factory was, although long out of business, it still stands.
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I attended a Paul Sellers class, "Furniture Making With Hand Tools". That was my introduction to Neander wood working.
There was basic tools on each workbench to be used in the class. The marking knife was a box cutter, which had to be tilted.
I have marking knives, but quite frequently I will reach for one of the box cutters on my bench.
It will scribe a extremely sharp, fine, and deep line.
I must say that often the tool I pick up and use is subject to the mood I'm in at the moment.
And the hammer ......
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[QUOTE=Jebediah Eckert;2514429]I must ammend my response. This is my absolute favorite tool along with a small tack hammer. Both belonged to my grandfather. I have pictures when I was 4 years old using the hammer. The hammer is still in use, and at 99 my grandfather is still going strong. I have older memories of the hammer but the ruler was really specially when he gave it to me in my 20's. It almost never gets used. At 99 he just recently gave me the history of the ruler. It belonged to his father and was made in New Hartford CT, coincidentally the next town over. The company sold their ruler patterns to Stanley. We took a drive and he knew exactly where the factory was, although long out of business, it still stands.[QUOTE]
What a great story. I'd cherish both of those tools, particularly since he gave them to me himself while he was alive. Thanks for sharing that one!
Fred
Draw knife.
Life's too short to use old sandpaper.
By that criteria I have no favorite tool - no pockets in my apron.
Mike
From the workshop under the staircase, Clinton Township, MI
Semper Audere!
Have an old Stanley combo square, shop made marking knife, Pexto 1/2" chisel, Westcott 12" ruler.
These are my first-to-grab tools. Of course, there are much more accurate items that will be used for other jobs.
Bill
On the other hand, I still have five fingers.
Pick a chisel, any chisel.
Where did I put that tape measure...
You don't use the 2mm lead as-is. You either use a pointer to bring it to a sharp conical point (finer than a 0.3 mm lead, which is my second choice), or sandpaper to bring it to a chisel edge that you can use alongside a rule as you would a knife.
Last edited by Patrick Chase; 01-10-2016 at 11:01 PM.
Hi All,
That is tough question, kind of like "pick your favorite grandkid," which I couldn't do....they are all my favorites.
That said, it would probably be a Stanley 605 bedrock jack plane that was my dads. I like it, and use it a lot when working on a project that needs it, but the link to my dad is the key. I cleaned it up, and bought a correct type age iron for it, so it is now restored with all of the correct type parts. I think that it was the first plane I restored.
Stew
It has to be my radio and the soothing background music it puts out. It keeps my mind on a level plane. Can't work without it. After that, probably my scroll saw, drill press, and table router ... and those old t-shirts for applying Arm-R-Seal.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)