Recommended Tools

[doug hodder]

Arthur...so how many drums do you need to sand? talk about a specialized tool!!! Doug

[Elumia]

It should go without saying, but Sharp blades and bits. They cut better and are safer because it keeps you from pushing too hard on the tool or the work.

Mark

[apratt]

Arthur...so how many drums do you need to sand? talk about a
specialized tool!!! Doug

[Bernoulli]

The best table saws for general use are belt driven. They are heavier, quieter and the motors last longer than direct drive. If you are cramped for tool space, Makita makes a fair direct drive, but the rip fence is marginal. Ebay or Craigslist are the best places to find these tools. With Craftsman saws, the older (50s are good), the better. Cast extensions are better than stamped steel. Most original equipment rip fences are crap. If it's important to you to cut wood bits to exact length, get a miter saw. I have a Dewalt DW708 compound slider that I like, but Deltas are available used for $50 or so. The best 10" blade is the Forrest Woodworker II.
Porter Cable makes a fine "trim saw" with a 4" blade. It's quiet and easy to use on thin stuff - plywood up to 1/2" for example. It's expensive, but worth it. If you want more power, the Skill worm drive is still the best.
Festool makes the best jig saw. Bosch's are good.
I believe the Porter Cable makes the best router.
The Stanley 60 1/2 low angle plane is the best of the less expensive planes for fitting work. If yo want to spend a lot of time with it, Google the WWW for how to tune one up.

[dhazard]

I found that this was very helpful.

[Muggnz]

My favourite tool is my brain cell. Especially when I manage to recognise the conditions that will lead to my creating a unplanned feature.

Which usually happens when I'm a bit tired & things have been going along a bit to smoothly.