What are your top 5 tool recommendations?

**kbalch** · Feb 4, 2015, 01:40 PM

What are your top five tool recommendations for a new cross-discipline (wood, metal, etc.) workshop?

**Christophe Mineau** · Feb 4, 2015, 03:54 PM

Hi Ken,
It's a challenge, for someone like you who has already collected several tens of thousands of tools on that forum to elect a 5 tool shortlist

For the wood part, handtools :
- A japanese saw (Ryoba)
- Some Japanese chisels
- A good bench with good vises
- A set (collection) of clamps
For the metal part :
- A lathe ! that's my preferred machine, can do everything with it, even some milling ...
- A Dremel for metal and wood, and ... and ...

Oups, that's six ...

someone else ?

**DIYer** · Feb 5, 2015, 02:49 AM

Seconding Christophe on a proper workbench. I can't also do without a compressor, and toolboxes to organize it all.

**kbalch** · Feb 6, 2015, 09:49 AM

Some good suggestions there, guys. For a general setup, I'd go with these:

- Workbench w/vise
- Compressor & accoutrements
- Dremel
- Clamps
- Set of basic hand tools (wrenches, pliers, sockets, etc.) in SAE & metric

Lots of other possible additions, but that should get someone started out properly.

Ken

**Jon** · Feb 7, 2015, 10:35 AM

There are a lot of ways you can go with this. I'm going to go non-traditional with my list, as some of these aren't strictly "tools":

-Multiple large uncluttered flat surfaces (in addition to a workbench). Without this, every flat surface in the workshop gets turned into an ad-hoc table.

-Great lighting. Overhead lighting, plus tool-specific lighting as necessary. It's also nice to have a headlamp and some small flashlights around.

-Dedicated workshop computer. An older laptop or desktop computer that you can type on with greasy fingers. I'm constantly consulting the internet, especially when embarking on a new project for the first time.

-A robust storage and organization system, for both tools as well as fasteners/parts/bits/pieces. Nothing worse than knowing that you have a tool or part, but not knowing where it is. If you misplace a tool, it goes into some kind of strange tool purgatory. You obviously can't use it, because you can't find it. However, you also can't convince yourself to buy it new, because you know that you already have it.

-Safety procedures for using certain tools. As in, every time you use such-and-such tool, you follow a specific before/during/after procedure. This could be as simple as unplugging a miter saw after every use, or putting on a respirator before switching on any powered sanding device.

**jere** · Feb 7, 2015, 10:15 PM

Yeah lots of ways to go, if we are talking on deserted island that has extras required for each tool... like blades for a saw

1 bow/hack saw large that takes bi metal metal blades and wood blades

2 vise cheap import swivel head variant

3 center punch/scribe

4 Hand drill

5 hammer hatchet

If we are just talking 5 big use/cost tools

1 bandsaw with variable speed for wood or metal with blade changes

2 Machinists vise USA made, old steel as large as possible

3 belt sander larger and variable speed

4 Oxy/ace rig

5 Pipe clamps

**Altair** · Feb 8, 2015, 05:50 PM

1. Dremel
2. A solid workbench
3. A computer (quick access to info and tips from the net)
4. PPE
5. A lathe.

**cuyler1** · Feb 9, 2015, 03:44 PM

workbench (dreams start from there)or (if you have one, tools will follow)
6" bench grinder
4" vise
benchtop drillpress
lighting
i have found most all the items i ever needed through c/l free section. but my favorite tool is my grinder. i can convert it into a multitude of variable tools.grinding,polishing,sanding and pump motor. i have 9 set up inside,outside and in my work/family van. in the van(old full size ford) it is the only permanently mounted tool i have. the more i think about it the van might be the only tool to have. it is my workbench tool/junk appropriator with lighting ,tunes and a place to hide from the ol'lady!