10 woodworking tools I regret not buying sooner

I retired from the Air Force in 2015. Thank you for your service! If you are having issues with VA disability claims, I would check to see if your state has a state run Veterans Affairs office. I am in Oklahoma and their office was able to get my rating increased from 90% to 100% in just 1 month. And to top it off, it is completely free. No vet should ever have to pay to get the benefits they deserve.

While I am a Wera fan, I hate that particular set. I just have others that do the same better. Gearwrench makes a smaller set (no screwdriver) that will go on sale for ~$10 and I find that's typically the first one I grab. Fix it Sticks cost a lot more but they have absolutely figured this "compact do everything" market niche out - well worth checking out. A good Fix it Sticks set and you'll probably never pick up that Wera set again. Buying #1 and love everything else you mentioned.

Not saying it wrong and not a brand to laugh about. Basically, Japan's Starrett. In fact many tool makers prefer them. Great choice.

"I chose metric because, well I'm not a psychopath" is so spot on. Everything you reviewed here makes sense but, especially the Bora Centipede. I have 2 and they are great.

Nice video. One point that I’m sure you get: running the micrometer around the table saw surface only tests relative flatness over a 5” area. Ideally, on would set the base is a corner, leave it, and then have a long arm test for flatness over the entire table. Clearly such a test would be difficult due to flex. Not a huge deal, but I’ve seen others misunderstand this point.

Digital calipers are such a handy tool. I use them for everything from woodworking to home improvement to designing things for 3D printing etc. I use them so much I bought a second caliper (a Mitutoyo) for the workshop and just keep my basic Husky at my desk.

On the cheap calipers you'll notice they turn themselves on when you slide the jaws, that's because they can only measure relative change, so you need to make sure you zero them every time you use them. I think that's also the reason why you need to change the battery so often on them.

I have those same mitotoyo digital calipers. Easily one of the best tool purchases I made. They last so long (the battery life is measured in literal years, 5 for that model IIRC) because the entire caliper shuts off when not used. On the cheap ones only the display turns off, so they're always drawing power, which is why they eat batteries.

Good info!! Totally agree on digital measuring devices and TSO products!!

Thanks for the tip on the gauge. I have the A3-26 and it seems like it’s been jointing at angle but I couldn’t figure out how to tune it properly. That gauge looks like it’ll be very useful in fixing that.

Got that Wera bit set. also a mini torque wrench that takes the bits. Got it at London ExCeL Triathlon show years ago at an end of show offer. Brilliant. It came with a couple of smaller bit holders so you can take the ones you need instead of the whole set

For context, I am an electrician. I have had the wera tool check plus for about 4 years and it is still one of my favourite. I bought one for my father for Father’s Day! Great tool and an excellent gift.

The Bora centipede is excellent. Being in a basement shop, I breakdown sheet goods and oversized stock with the Centipede and my track saw in the garage, then transport to basement for final sizing.

Now that TSO rail square is one of the best tool in all.combine with a 75 inch rail and priceless if you are working on sheet materials.squaring the stock sheet is one of the most important task and the hardest if you dont have a slider. But this genius design simplifies the process. I have Woodpeckers railsquare but is heavy and cumbersome and hard to slide in and out when your dealing with dozens of 4x8 sheets. THANKS to TSO million times for this product.lightweight, well machined and hard anodized aircraft grade aluminum, locking to the rail is two seconds to one edge to the other .I mean words are not enough. Now you will think that this is advertisement but its not. i paid full from my pocket as the rest of the tools you have in your shop maybe more. I am a one man shop and all those tools you have out there are the life savers. Nicely done Sir. Thank you !✌

I have a mini ratchet like that one from Topeak, a company that makes mountain biking tools ( Ratchet Rocket). It's magnetic and it's a pretty hefty quality tool. I use it all the time. It was especially handy for assembling my CNC. Thanks for sharing these finds!

I really like the bora centipede system, crazy space saver and once paired with their worktop it's solid as. I love them so much I bought 3 of them :D

As a CNC machinist for my day job, I can say the mitutoyo is the best you can get. But a great 2nd that has the same quality of mitutoyo is the fowler brand. And most of the time, they are anywhere from. 40% to 60% cheaper

Great video. This one hit me right in the wallet. All kidding aside, I just ordered the One Way and the Wera Small Tool Set. I have Wera's small screwdriver set and it is awesome. I hope those were affiliate links you posted!!

Mitutoyo is the standard.

Every single thing from Wera I've ever laid hands on has been a great tool. Maybe they're the Festool of hand tools, as they can be a bit expensive. But picking up a Wera tool just puts a smile on my face. I can say that you ever really need a Wera tool, as cheaper tools will work. But they're just a pleasure to use. And in my book, that makes them worth the money.