Summary
Highlights
DeWalt chisels offer excellent quality and come sharp out of the box. They are comfortable to hold and perform well for tasks requiring chiseling or trimming. While a sharpening jig is recommended for maintaining a razor-sharp edge, the chisels themselves are a great budget-friendly option.
A 48-inch level, costing only $20-$30, is not just for leveling. It serves as a straight edge for marking lines and a saw guide when clamped to plywood. Crucially, it can replace a jointer for edge jointing boards up to 3.5-4 feet in length on a table saw, providing dead-flat surfaces for glue-ups.
FastCap's zero clearance tape, priced under $10 for a pack of five, is a hot item due to its effectiveness in preventing tearout and ensuring cleaner cuts on a miter saw. It's a sticky, slightly thicker vinyl tape that's easy to apply and replace, and it won't affect cutting accuracy.
Wen or PowerTech setup bars, available for $40 or less, are indispensable for accurately setting tool depths and distances. They range from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch and are perfect for dialing in router bit depths or setting fence distances. A small nub on the end helps check hole depths.
FastCap's Lefty-Righty tape measures feature numbers readable from both directions and include 16th-inch increments, making them easy to read for beginners and experienced woodworkers alike. The Flatback version is completely flat, ensuring very accurate marks, with both imperial and metric measurements.
Wood T-rulers and standard rulers are highlighted for their accuracy and affordability. They feature holes for drawing parallel lines and a beveled edge for precise marking, outperforming some thicker, more expensive alternatives in terms of ease of use and accuracy.
XFasten double stick tape is recommended for its strong hold without leaving sticky residue. It's ideal for temporarily securing templates or pieces of wood together for routing or cutting, simplifying cleanup and preventing extra work.
Bench nuts are high-density foam work supports that lift workpieces off the bench for easier cutting, routing, or sanding. They come in an eight-pack, provide excellent grip to both the workbench and the stock, and are durable enough to support significant weight without collapsing.
Three utility knives are showcased: the Milwaukee Fastback (flipping blade, screwdriver, bottle opener), the Klein folding utility knife (angled lock, wire stripper, interchangeable bits), and a triple-function Klein knife (angled lock, wire stripper, scraper, onboard blade storage).
The Ryobi 18-V air inflator is praised for its convenience and accuracy. It runs on Ryobi 18-V batteries, allows users to preset tire pressure, and automatically stops once the desired pressure is reached. It's perfect for maintaining tire pressure, especially during seasonal changes.
This dust hose adapter kit, just under $50, is crucial for connecting a standard shop vac to smaller tools like sanders, routers, and track saws. It includes a hose and multiple adapters, significantly improving dust collection and mimicking the functionality of a dedicated dust extractor.
Irwin forstner bits are highly recommended for drilling clean, flat-bottom holes. While a smaller set is under $50, a larger set with more bits is also available for a slightly higher price. They are ideal for projects requiring precise holes, such as making stove covers or creating handle cutouts.
Bessey F-style clamps, available in a four-pack, are durable, long-lasting, and versatile for various woodworking projects. Irwin quick clamps also come in a set of four for under $50 and are essential for quickly securing workpieces with their easy-to-use quick-release mechanism.
The thin rip jig, priced under $30, is a highly popular tool for making repeatable thin strips of wood on a table saw. It's ideal for adding trim to shop furniture, router tables, or other projects with consistent, narrow pieces.
The MicroJig GRR-Ripper, priced at $49 for the new version, is described as a game-changer for woodworking safety and precision. It features a grippy bottom, a drop-down leg for stability with thicker stock, and a new cut window for visibility. It ensures safe and controlled feeding of wood through saws, making it an essential tool for any shop.