Small Shop Improvements
I use these items all the time and though you might be interested in some cheap ways to up your shop game. I’m not sponsored by any of these companies, but I do get a small percentage through the Amazon affiliate links.
Pentel Graphgear 1000, $11 (https://amzn.to/3akTzBM) — It’s a pencil, but it’s a nice pencil. I keep carpenter pencils all over my shop so there’s always one within reach, but I keep this specific pencil in the front chest pocket of my apron at all times. It’s a thin mechanical pencil, and it makes crisp lines for when I need an accurate mark. I tend to drop it a lot, so my favorite feature is that the tip retracts when you open the clip to put it back in your pocket.
GlüBot, $8 (https://amzn.to/3rcIklX) — I buy wood glue a gallon at a time, and this glue dispenser is a lifesaver. I’d probably still use it if I were buying smaller quantities, since it’s just so handy. The spout connects to the bottom of the container, so you don’t have to shake it upside down to get anything to come out, and you can use it in any orientation.
Silicone Glue Brush, $7 (https://amzn.to/3afuxUQ) — I got tired of always having glue on my fingers, so I got a glue brush. You can use any silicone brush, but I find myself using the flat paddle side more than the bristles, since I’m usually working on smaller pieces. When the glue dries, it’s super satisfying to pull it right off.
Sandpaper Cleaning Eraser, $9 (https://amzn.to/3akUiD0) — This piece of rubber extends the life of your sandpaper by quickly clearing all of the wood dust and sap. You can also use the sole of an old shoe, but I find this bar to be easy to grab, and I’m still using the first one I bought.
Combination Square, $13 (https://amzn.to/3t9cEzv) — If you cut or sand anything at 90º, you need a square. I’ve messed up plenty of projects by not checking my blade or belt sander table was square (usually the result of a very inquisitive 2 year old turning knobs). A combination square can check at 45º and 90º, can check for level, measure length, and mark repeated lengths quickly. I probably need a second one.
Bessey 6” Bar Clamp, $10 (https://amzn.to/3t5REd3) — You can never have too many clamps. When I’m making toys, I usually stick to 6” or 12” clamps just for ease of use. I’ve found these Bessey clamps are a little more expensive than the Harbor Freight ones, but they’re a bit tighter and don’t slip as much. I also prefer the bar clamp style over the quick grip style for the same reason.
Stick Fast Medium CA Glue, $15 (https://amzn.to/3cny6ec) — CA glue (aka superglue) is a gamechanger. It’s not as strong as wood glue, but it sets much faster. It’s great for small things that you don’t want to wait for (such as different colored facial features on an animal), but it comes in handy all over the shop. Sticking blue tape on two boards and pressing them together with CA glue creates a super strong temporary hold.
Stick Fast Activator, $12 (https://amzn.to/36sifau) — If you have a bottle of CA glue, you need a bottle of CA glue activator. This aerosol spray sets CA glue instantly, so you don’t even have to wait the minute or so for it to set. If you’re putting two pieces together, you can even apply CA glue to one piece and spray the activator on the other to achieve an instantaneous bond when you put them together.
iGaging Digital Caliper, $36 (https://amzn.to/3oCQLVM) — I had been holding off buying a caliper for a really long time, but I finally broke down when I kept on messing up squaring the fence on my crosscut sled. Digital calipers are great because you can easily switch between metric/imperial, and they’re more accurate than I’ll probably ever need. That accuracy can be a problem, though, especially when they measure down to 1/128th of an inch. This particular model has a rounding feature that rounds to the nearest 1/32nd of an inch, which is much easier on my brain. Switching between modes is one click away.
Mpow Bluetooth Noise Reduction Ear Muffs, $36 (https://amzn.to/2MgU73y) — Hearing protection is important whenever power tools are on. These are great for hearing protection on their own, but they also double as bluetooth headphones. These are not active noise canceling headphones (which use microphones to generate frequencies opposite to those in your surroundings), but they passively isolate noise. Active noise cancelation is great, but it doesn’t always protect your hearing when there are loud, sudden noises such as the ones made in a wood shop.
If you have any questions about these items, feel free to send me a message. I probably spend more time researching and improving the shop than I do making things.
