Introduction:

I spent my youth with cheap tools.

B&D jigsaws that shook so badly you couldn't focus on the line because it
was moving so fast.

Japanese ( in the 1950's, now Chinese) sockets that wouldn't fit, and
ratchets that would only ratchet one way after the first use.

Screwdrivers that twisted the shaft putting screws in pine and bent the
shaft when trying to change my bicycle tire.

The list goes on, of course.

When I finally got old, and could afford to throw down $160 for a Bosch
1587, I thought they had found a way for the blade to track the pencil lead
on the surface. WOW.

Anyway,

Since I'm enjoying my "later years" in the woodshop, my wife and kids want
to buy me woodbutcher stuff for Christmas. And I want to keep them OUT OF
Sears and Wal-Mart, at least as far as tools go. For paper towels, I don't
care.

Here's my dilemma. I don't know some of the arcane brand names of quality
for various things. For example, I'd love to pitch my set of HF brad-point
bits and Forstner bits. But I don't know what brand is among the top in
quality and utility with which to replace them.

Some things are easy for me, such as Forrest or Freud for cabinet saw
blades, or CMT and Whiteside for router bits. Others are more difficult.
How do I know my holesaw will stand the test of time?

So here's my request to the wreckers who have spent a lifetime working with
these things.

Reply with brand names that, in your experience, are top quality. I don't
mean the most expensive and best ever, just names that provide reliable,
above average quality stuff. When I tell my second-born son I want
brad-point bits, and DON'T go to Wal-Mart or Sears or the BORG, what brand
names (note: names! plural... maybe more than one) should I tell him to
select from.

Keep it simple. Limited words. Here's a perfect response:

----------------------------------------------------------

Holesaw: Lennox
Straightedge: Starrett or Veritas

---------------------------------------------------------

AND, although we Americans think there are no skilled people living beyond
our shores, the internet encompasses the globe, and vendors sell world-wide.
So, don't disparage any Kiwi suggestions, because you can probably buy a
quality tool via internet from anywhere in the world that it may be made.

AND, please don't turn this thread into a "mine's bigger" argument. If you
had a bad experience with a brand name, keep that to yourself and reply with
what worked for you. If only one person names "GoodStuff" wrenches and 100
people suggest SK tools, we'll get the idea. No Craftsman bashing.

So, have at it. Neander tools, Normite tools, general hand tools, blades,
files, screws (McFeeley's is good), razor blades, 36" lathes (for those
whose wives won Powerball), benchtop drill presses, you name it, but
remember, it's all about quality and the items should be currently
available. It doesn't matter that NimBor made the finest hacksaw blades in
the world if they closed their doors in 1934.

Thanks. I'll monitor the replies, and put together a synopsis of top
quality equipment, to be posted just before Turkey Day.

"Jim Murphy" (add rr between nc and com) wrote in message
...
Introduction:

I spent my youth with cheap tools.

B&D jigsaws that shook so badly you couldn't focus on the line because it
was moving so fast.

Japanese ( in the 1950's, now Chinese) sockets that wouldn't fit, and
ratchets that would only ratchet one way after the first use.

Screwdrivers that twisted the shaft putting screws in pine and bent the
shaft when trying to change my bicycle tire.

The list goes on, of course.

When I finally got old, and could afford to throw down $160 for a Bosch
1587, I thought they had found a way for the blade to track the pencil
lead on the surface. WOW.

Anyway,

Since I'm enjoying my "later years" in the woodshop, my wife and kids want
to buy me woodbutcher stuff for Christmas. And I want to keep them OUT OF
Sears and Wal-Mart, at least as far as tools go. For paper towels, I
don't care.

Here's my dilemma. I don't know some of the arcane brand names of quality
for various things. For example, I'd love to pitch my set of HF
brad-point bits and Forstner bits. But I don't know what brand is among
the top in quality and utility with which to replace them.

Some things are easy for me, such as Forrest or Freud for cabinet saw
blades, or CMT and Whiteside for router bits. Others are more difficult.
How do I know my holesaw will stand the test of time?

So here's my request to the wreckers who have spent a lifetime working
with these things.

Reply with brand names that, in your experience, are top quality. I don't
mean the most expensive and best ever, just names that provide reliable,
above average quality stuff. When I tell my second-born son I want
brad-point bits, and DON'T go to Wal-Mart or Sears or the BORG, what brand
names (note: names! plural... maybe more than one) should I tell him to
select from.

Keep it simple. Limited words. Here's a perfect response:

----------------------------------------------------------

Holesaw: Lennox
Straightedge: Starrett or Veritas

---------------------------------------------------------

AND, although we Americans think there are no skilled people living beyond
our shores, the internet encompasses the globe, and vendors sell
world-wide. So, don't disparage any Kiwi suggestions, because you can
probably buy a quality tool via internet from anywhere in the world that
it may be made.

AND, please don't turn this thread into a "mine's bigger" argument. If
you had a bad experience with a brand name, keep that to yourself and
reply with what worked for you. If only one person names "GoodStuff"
wrenches and 100 people suggest SK tools, we'll get the idea. No
Craftsman bashing.

So, have at it. Neander tools, Normite tools, general hand tools, blades,
files, screws (McFeeley's is good), razor blades, 36" lathes (for those
whose wives won Powerball), benchtop drill presses, you name it, but
remember, it's all about quality and the items should be currently
available. It doesn't matter that NimBor made the finest hacksaw blades
in the world if they closed their doors in 1934.

Thanks. I'll monitor the replies, and put together a synopsis of top
quality equipment, to be posted just before Turkey Day.


Lee Valley is a good place to start for drill bits and about everything
else. I typically highlight items in their Christmas catalog and the stuff
appears. I have two of their spoke shaves, apron plane, marking gages,
Starret square, shoulder plane, and their tapered screw pilot hole drills
with countersink. I have their honing guide , square awl, and the list goes
on. Their tools normally come out of the box working.

{Snip}

Keep it simple. Limited words. Here's a perfect response:

----------------------------------------------------------

Holesaw: Lennox
Straightedge: Starrett or Veritas

---------------------------------------------------------

{snip}

Don't laugh, but for hand tools-- Try Snap-on
http://www.snapon.com/
The guys with the truck.
Tried a snap-on tool once, WOW!!
If I had the money.....

Phil

"Phil-in-MI" NO Spam & pam wrote in message
k.net...

Don't laugh, but for hand tools-- Try Snap-on
http://www.snapon.com/
The guys with the truck. Tried a snap-on tool once, WOW!!
If I had the money.....

Phil

I agree, BUT.
Snap-on is a great tool. If you buy a ton of their tools you may finally
realize how over priced they are. If they were competitively priced they
would be a much better value. And screw the truck. I want to replace
broken tools on my time and not only when the guy in the truck rolls up.

I always bought the CMT from Sommerfeld cabinet door bit sets until my cash
flow got low and I got a magazine in the mail from MLCS. I started using
their matched pair stile & rail bits and have no complaints. I also
switched from CMT to the MLCS raised panel bits. They hold up well under
almost daily use and for 70 bucks a set for the R & S compared to $130.00 in
CMT The raised panel bits come in at around 40 compared to close to 100.
For me, anyway, it's better to buy the MLCS twice than buy 1 good one and
try to get it sharpened. IMHO

Rick




--
Rick Nagy
Johnstown, PA


- Remove nospam to email me
Be sure to check out my website at http://www.rickscabinetshop.com
"Lowell Holmes" wrote in message
news:Vz93h.259$244.213@trnddc01...

"Jim Murphy" (add rr between nc and com) wrote in message
...
Introduction:

I spent my youth with cheap tools.

B&D jigsaws that shook so badly you couldn't focus on the line because it
was moving so fast.

Japanese ( in the 1950's, now Chinese) sockets that wouldn't fit, and
ratchets that would only ratchet one way after the first use.

Screwdrivers that twisted the shaft putting screws in pine and bent the
shaft when trying to change my bicycle tire.

The list goes on, of course.

When I finally got old, and could afford to throw down $160 for a Bosch
1587, I thought they had found a way for the blade to track the pencil
lead on the surface. WOW.

Anyway,

Since I'm enjoying my "later years" in the woodshop, my wife and kids
want to buy me woodbutcher stuff for Christmas. And I want to keep them
OUT OF Sears and Wal-Mart, at least as far as tools go. For paper
towels, I don't care.

Here's my dilemma. I don't know some of the arcane brand names of
quality for various things. For example, I'd love to pitch my set of HF
brad-point bits and Forstner bits. But I don't know what brand is among
the top in quality and utility with which to replace them.

Some things are easy for me, such as Forrest or Freud for cabinet saw
blades, or CMT and Whiteside for router bits. Others are more difficult.
How do I know my holesaw will stand the test of time?

So here's my request to the wreckers who have spent a lifetime working
with these things.

Reply with brand names that, in your experience, are top quality. I
don't mean the most expensive and best ever, just names that provide
reliable, above average quality stuff. When I tell my second-born son I
want brad-point bits, and DON'T go to Wal-Mart or Sears or the BORG, what
brand names (note: names! plural... maybe more than one) should I tell
him to select from.

Keep it simple. Limited words. Here's a perfect response:

----------------------------------------------------------

Holesaw: Lennox
Straightedge: Starrett or Veritas

---------------------------------------------------------

AND, although we Americans think there are no skilled people living
beyond our shores, the internet encompasses the globe, and vendors sell
world-wide. So, don't disparage any Kiwi suggestions, because you can
probably buy a quality tool via internet from anywhere in the world that
it may be made.

AND, please don't turn this thread into a "mine's bigger" argument. If
you had a bad experience with a brand name, keep that to yourself and
reply with what worked for you. If only one person names "GoodStuff"
wrenches and 100 people suggest SK tools, we'll get the idea. No
Craftsman bashing.

So, have at it. Neander tools, Normite tools, general hand tools,
blades, files, screws (McFeeley's is good), razor blades, 36" lathes (for
those whose wives won Powerball), benchtop drill presses, you name it,
but remember, it's all about quality and the items should be currently
available. It doesn't matter that NimBor made the finest hacksaw blades
in the world if they closed their doors in 1934.

Thanks. I'll monitor the replies, and put together a synopsis of top
quality equipment, to be posted just before Turkey Day.


Lee Valley is a good place to start for drill bits and about everything
else. I typically highlight items in their Christmas catalog and the stuff
appears. I have two of their spoke shaves, apron plane, marking gages,
Starret square, shoulder plane, and their tapered screw pilot hole drills
with countersink. I have their honing guide , square awl, and the list
goes on. Their tools normally come out of the box working.

"Jim Murphy" (add rr between nc and com) wrote in
:

Introduction:

I spent my youth with cheap tools.

B&D jigsaws that shook so badly you couldn't focus on the line because
it was moving so fast.

Japanese ( in the 1950's, now Chinese) sockets that wouldn't fit, and
ratchets that would only ratchet one way after the first use.

Screwdrivers that twisted the shaft putting screws in pine and bent
the shaft when trying to change my bicycle tire.

The list goes on, of course.

When I finally got old, and could afford to throw down $160 for a
Bosch 1587, I thought they had found a way for the blade to track the
pencil lead on the surface. WOW.

Anyway,

Since I'm enjoying my "later years" in the woodshop, my wife and kids
want to buy me woodbutcher stuff for Christmas. And I want to keep
them OUT OF Sears and Wal-Mart, at least as far as tools go. For
paper towels, I don't care.

Here's my dilemma. I don't know some of the arcane brand names of
quality for various things. For example, I'd love to pitch my set of
HF brad-point bits and Forstner bits. But I don't know what brand is
among the top in quality and utility with which to replace them.

Some things are easy for me, such as Forrest or Freud for cabinet saw
blades, or CMT and Whiteside for router bits. Others are more
difficult. How do I know my holesaw will stand the test of time?

So here's my request to the wreckers who have spent a lifetime working
with these things.

Reply with brand names that, in your experience, are top quality. I
don't mean the most expensive and best ever, just names that provide
reliable, above average quality stuff. When I tell my second-born son
I want brad-point bits, and DON'T go to Wal-Mart or Sears or the BORG,
what brand names (note: names! plural... maybe more than one) should
I tell him to select from.

Keep it simple. Limited words. Here's a perfect response:

----------------------------------------------------------

Holesaw: Lennox
Straightedge: Starrett or Veritas

---------------------------------------------------------

AND, although we Americans think there are no skilled people living
beyond our shores, the internet encompasses the globe, and vendors
sell world-wide. So, don't disparage any Kiwi suggestions, because you
can probably buy a quality tool via internet from anywhere in the
world that it may be made.

AND, please don't turn this thread into a "mine's bigger" argument.
If you had a bad experience with a brand name, keep that to yourself
and reply with what worked for you. If only one person names
"GoodStuff" wrenches and 100 people suggest SK tools, we'll get the
idea. No Craftsman bashing.

So, have at it. Neander tools, Normite tools, general hand tools,
blades, files, screws (McFeeley's is good), razor blades, 36" lathes
(for those whose wives won Powerball), benchtop drill presses, you
name it, but remember, it's all about quality and the items should be
currently available. It doesn't matter that NimBor made the finest
hacksaw blades in the world if they closed their doors in 1934.

Thanks. I'll monitor the replies, and put together a synopsis of top
quality equipment, to be posted just before Turkey Day.



Ask for tools from the US Mint. (Provided you're in the US.) That is,
you get the money for the tool and get to go to the store and look
around.

That's what my family does for me, as they don't understand what it is
I'm looking for. (I want a hardware MPEG capture card... Ok, what we'll
do is give you the money and you can get the one you want.)

Puckdropper
--
Wise is the man who attempts to answer his question before asking it.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 23:24:07 GMT, "Jim Murphy" (add rr
between nc and com) wrote:

Introduction:
Snip

Cordless Drills - DeWalt 18v, Makita 2.6amp
Sawsall - Milwalkee heavy-duty
Router - Porter-Cable 690
Jigsaw - Bosch
Hammer Drill - Bosch
Drill bits - DeWalt (I like them, anyhow)
Clamps - Bessy K-bodies or Irwin F-clamps
Table saws - Delta Unisaw or Contractor models
Grinder - Delta
Taps - Greenfield
Chisels - black handled Craftsman (Yes, I said it- and I'm sticking to
it)
Bandsaw blades - Lennox
Cabinet scrapers - Lie Neilson
ROS sander - Bosch
Circular blades - Freud, Delta, Oldham Signature
Belt sander (handheld) - Makita
Belt sander (stationary) - Ellis (absolutely top-notch) or Delta
Miter saw - Delta Industrial
Lathes - Delta Midi, Jet Mini, Oneway
Radio - DeWalt radio/charger (sounds better than the Bosch or
Milwalkee, IMO)
Bandsaw - Delta 14"
Calipers/dial indicators - Miyoto or Starret.
Rules - Lee Valley Cabinetmaker's rules (set of four or individual)
Measuring tapes - Stanley FatMax or Craftsman.

Two warnings-

DeWalt changes products frequently, and accessories are not
necessarily compatable with older or newer models. Get any
accessories you want when you buy the tool.

Delta Industrial is the good stuff- avoid the "Shopmaster" line at all
costs.

Hope that helps- I know others will have other favorites.

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 23:37:12 -0600, Prometheus wrote:

Taps - Greenfield

Absolutely!

Although I just bought a Milwaukee 5625 router and am presently happy as a
pig in mud with it. It could use an electric brake ... but otherwise built
like a truck and (AFAICT) running dead true.

Bill

"Jim Murphy" (add rr between nc and com) wrote in message
...
Introduction:

I spent my youth with cheap tools.

B&D jigsaws that shook so badly you couldn't focus on the line because it
was moving so fast.

Japanese ( in the 1950's, now Chinese) sockets that wouldn't fit, and
ratchets that would only ratchet one way after the first use.

Screwdrivers that twisted the shaft putting screws in pine and bent the
shaft when trying to change my bicycle tire.

The list goes on, of course.

When I finally got old, and could afford to throw down $160 for a Bosch
1587, I thought they had found a way for the blade to track the pencil
lead on the surface. WOW.

Anyway,

Since I'm enjoying my "later years" in the woodshop, my wife and kids want
to buy me woodbutcher stuff for Christmas. And I want to keep them OUT OF
Sears and Wal-Mart, at least as far as tools go. For paper towels, I
don't care.

Here's my dilemma. I don't know some of the arcane brand names of quality
for various things. For example, I'd love to pitch my set of HF
brad-point bits and Forstner bits. But I don't know what brand is among
the top in quality and utility with which to replace them.

Some things are easy for me, such as Forrest or Freud for cabinet saw
blades, or CMT and Whiteside for router bits. Others are more difficult.
How do I know my holesaw will stand the test of time?

So here's my request to the wreckers who have spent a lifetime working
with these things.

Reply with brand names that, in your experience, are top quality. I don't
mean the most expensive and best ever, just names that provide reliable,
above average quality stuff. When I tell my second-born son I want
brad-point bits, and DON'T go to Wal-Mart or Sears or the BORG, what brand
names (note: names! plural... maybe more than one) should I tell him to
select from.

Keep it simple. Limited words. Here's a perfect response:

----------------------------------------------------------

Holesaw: Lennox
Straightedge: Starrett or Veritas

---------------------------------------------------------

AND, although we Americans think there are no skilled people living beyond
our shores, the internet encompasses the globe, and vendors sell
world-wide. So, don't disparage any Kiwi suggestions, because you can
probably buy a quality tool via internet from anywhere in the world that
it may be made.

AND, please don't turn this thread into a "mine's bigger" argument. If
you had a bad experience with a brand name, keep that to yourself and
reply with what worked for you. If only one person names "GoodStuff"
wrenches and 100 people suggest SK tools, we'll get the idea. No
Craftsman bashing.

So, have at it. Neander tools, Normite tools, general hand tools, blades,
files, screws (McFeeley's is good), razor blades, 36" lathes (for those
whose wives won Powerball), benchtop drill presses, you name it, but
remember, it's all about quality and the items should be currently
available. It doesn't matter that NimBor made the finest hacksaw blades
in the world if they closed their doors in 1934.

Thanks. I'll monitor the replies, and put together a synopsis of top
quality equipment, to be posted just before Turkey Day.


A short list, based on experience:

Router bits - Bosch
Jigsaw - Bosch
Jigsaw blades - Bosch Progressor
Belt Sander - Makita
Sanding Belts - 3M Purple (butt-spliced, not lap-spliced)
Brushes - Purdy

Happy gathering,

Jeff

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 06:12:10 -0000, "Bill" wrote:

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 23:37:12 -0600, Prometheus wrote:

Taps - Greenfield

Absolutely!

Although I just bought a Milwaukee 5625 router and am presently happy as a
pig in mud with it. It could use an electric brake ... but otherwise built
like a truck and (AFAICT) running dead true.

Yeah- Milwalkee makes a lot of good tools, but I haven't used them
all, so I didn't want to suggest something that might be the lame duck
of their line. I know their HD sawsall is a thing to be reckoned
with- I've used those to cut stuff I would have thought needed a
chainsaw's attention on several occasions.

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 14:30:27 GMT, "Jeff H"
wrote:

Router bits - Bosch
Jigsaw - Bosch
Jigsaw blades - Bosch Progressor
Belt Sander - Makita
Sanding Belts - 3M Purple (butt-spliced, not lap-spliced)
Brushes - Purdy

Oh yeah- brushes!

Purdy *are* good. I also like Coronas.

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 20:00:02 -0600, Prometheus wrote:

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 14:30:27 GMT, "Jeff H"
wrote:

Purdy *are* good. I also like Coronas.

I've never used a Corona but can strongly endorse the Purdys. I use HF
"cheaper by the box" disposable brushes where the final result isn't
critical (such as shellacing a jig or fixture) and Purdys anywhere the end
result actually makes a difference.

I am not brand conscious about many things, but I DO like my Purdy brushes.
Bill

Back to the original request:
Router bits: Infinitytool.com
Forstner bits: Lee Valley
Hand planes: Lee Valley, Lie Nielsen, and Steve Knight
Shop apron: Duluth Trading
Router: DW618
Jigsaw: 1590
Clamps: K-body; UniKlamp for lighter jobs
Cutoff guide: Plastic rafter triangle with a stick screwed on
Gift cards: Lee Valley, Japan Woodworker, Woodcraft, Rockler
(One specific Christmas suggestion: nice medium shoulder plane if you
don't have one, especially if you make a lot of M&T joints. Or a low
angle block plane if you're just getting into the world of quiet
tools.)
Andy