Handy stuff that won't break the bank

[durango dude]

I've perused a number of woodworking vendors, and found an interesting assortment of woodworking things that won't break the bank, but will get some decent mileage in the shop.

Let's face it - many of our families are either unable or unwilling to drop $500 on the latest Festool special. (our son is trying to decide between Cal Tech and Stanford - we won't be splurging). Nonetheless, they do get it that you enjoy woodworking - and want to pitch in. Here's some ideas for useful and inexpensive stuff (all under $50 as of Nov 20:

Veritas Scraper Holder (Lee Valley)
Lie Nielsen Hand Scraper Set (Lie-Nielsen)
Pocket Marking Gauge (Lee Valley)
Bench Cookie Work Gripper Starter Kit (Rockler)
HighPoint XT Square Drive Screw Sampler (Woodcraft)
Narex Chisel Set (Highland Woodworking)
Veritas Dovetail Markers (Lee Valley)

[Woodshark]

Great idea.
Here are a few I thought of. All can be purchased at Amazon.com

Hand Crank Pencil Sharpener- No ac cord or outlet required. One will last you the rest of your life.

Sanding belt cleaner- Simple, cheap and useful.

Masking tape dispenser- Just easier to use than fumbling with a roll and trying to find the edge.

[Cochese]

Great idea for a thread. Seriously.

Stuff off the top of my head that I know is relatively inexpensive that would make great small gifts or stocking stuffers:

• Bandsaw lube/grinder
• Favorite can of wax/tool protectant
• Favorite brand of pencils/pens for the shop, because those get lost constantly
• Batteries for hearing protection, etc
• Blade/bit cleaning kit

[greenacres2]

Now that you mention it...little stuff that would be neat, but that I can't for whatever reason seem to buy for me:

Silicon Glue Kit (even just some Dollar Store silicon odds & ends, no need for the official kit)
-or-glue bottle/roller assortment
Dovetail marker
Incra Centering rule (if Santa was rich--the master set!!)
Countersink set
Shaker plan/pattern book

"chip in together" gifts:
a Grrrper kit (don't know how to spell it)
must be others--drawing a blank now!!

If someone was really smart--a small quantity of quality lumber...walnut, figured maple, etc. It would end up going back to them as a box!!

earl

[lrr]

I bought the little silicone glue brushes at Rockler. Quite handy. I just bought a silicone roller at Woodcraft -- Wood River brand. Has a metal roller handle, so it is pretty robust.

My favorite inexpensive accessories acquired recently were the "bench cookies" from Lee Valley. They are hockey pucks, and you apply round adhesive anti-slip disks to each side. Makes me wonder what other uses those clever Canadians have come up with for hockey pucks.

[LCHIEN]

Sliding Square

Here's one I really like and enjoy using. $37.50 Not cheap but high quality and not $100s either.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32598&cat=1,42936

Most people don't have one because its a LeeValley exclusive.

photo from the LeeValley site.

Hint for buyers, most US woodworkers would want the Imperial (inches and fractions) version, p/n 05N32.01

[lrr]

[...]

Sanding belt cleaner- Simple, cheap and useful.

[...]

I forgot to comment on this one. This product has saved me a BUNCH of money by prolonging the life of sanding drums, disks, and belts. I am amazed at how well they work. And I am not sure you ever completely use one up! They seem to last forever, like those white plastic-like drafting erasers I use to remove pencil marks.

Oh, so add the eraser to your list for removing all those pencil marks. I know people use denatured alcohol too, but the eraser is fast and I keep it by my pencil holder.

[LCHIEN]

How about these: Transfer punches and Dowel Centers
both discussed in the link and handy tools for marking and measuring against real life items.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=54214