SHOP FAVORITES
AT THE ESSICK WOODWORKING SCHOOL
Here's a list of commonly-used tools here at the shop, tried and tested by me and countless students that have taken classes at Essick Woodworking School. Students often leave the class with a wish list of items they would want to add to their own shops at home. These can be woodworking gifts to yourself, or for the woodworker in your life.
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This list does include affiliate links which help the school, but nothing is on here that hasn't been well-used and appreciated at the shop. I'll be updating this page often, so check back soon.
Under $30
These are a real time-saver for layout and design work. No more looking for the right sized cup or can!
This little scraper gets my highest recommendation. It's a high-quality, versatile tool that you'll want to have on hand.
Round Hook and Loop Hand Sanding Pad
This hand sander gets points for convenience---it can use the same 5" hook & loop sand paper that you use for your random orbital sander.
This is a great super glue that I came across. Trust me, it really works.
A quality, reasonably-priced saw with replacement blades available. This particular model has two sides (fine tooth and coarse tooth) and is especially suited for flush cuts.
Another great saw at a reasonable price with replacement blades. This one has the added stiffness of a back saw.
Wixey Digital Angle Gauge
Super handy for setting your table saw blade angles.
Taytools 12" Center-Finding Ruler
One side of this ruler helps you find the center of a measurement and the other helps you dial in the angle on your bevel gauge.
Old Masters Gel Polyurethane
This is my go to furniture finish. It is extremely quick and easy to use and gives a luxurious finish.
Under $50
Really handy for setting table saw and router height (and multiple other uses!).
Klingspor Sandpaper Sheets
Students are always wondering why the sandpaper in the shop works better, and this is the type I use. A high quality, long-lasting sandpaper.
I usually pick this one up before I grab up the digital. Digital is great, but since we mostly work with fractions in the shop, the dial with the fractional measurements is usually the most helpful.
Milwaukee Scissors
It's not easy to find a decent pair of scissors for the shop, but a student brought me a pair of Milwaukee Jobsite Scissors and they're my favorite.
Under $100
A great way to save your left hand on the table saw or band saw! Use this convenient magnetic featherboard tool to apply pressure against the fence, leaving your fingers safely out of the way.
A great all around sander that is easy to hold and works well for flat and freehand sanding.
Of all the parallel clamps used for woodworking, Jet Parallel Clamps are my favorite. Easy to adjust, but most of all, a better grip for maximum torquing pressure.
Jorgensen Bar Clamps
When other clamps can't supply adequate pressure, these will.
Pony Clamps
My go to clamp for chair-making. Deep throat and also good for offset clamping as one end can rotate around the pipe.
iGaging Combination Square Set
Probably one of the most useful tools in the shop. This is a reliable set that does the job, but if you can afford an upgrade (and really, you can't have too many of these lying around), the combination sets from Starrett (link below) really can't be beat.
King Arthur Tools Roughing Disc
The Holey Galahad roughing disc by King Arthur Tools is my favorite for doing rough shaping. It attaches easily to an angle grinder and the holes in the disk let you see the work while you're shaping.
Over $100
Of the 20+ routers I've accumulated over the years, this is hands down my favorite router of all time. It's good for 90% of all the routing you'll ever need to do, and it comes with both a plunge and a fixed base.
I've owned this track saw for over twenty years, and it's just as accurate as the day I bought it.
I've got a few of these and I love using them at the school for making sculpted furniture. The reason I like this one so much (and I've tried them all) is because of the trigger functionality.
This tool has changed many students' attitudes towards sanding. It's the Rolls Royce of sanders for flat work with excellent dust collection. One of my favorite tools in the shop and perfect for getting a beautiful finish on flat surfaces.
I'm saving my highest praise for this tool. The most revolutionary tool in the shop, this is my go-to tool for joining furniture. Easily sets plunge depth, size and height to accurately join just about anything.
These are sanding disks that go along with the Mirka sander. They're a mesh sanding disk (much less likely to gum up) and come in 80 grit all the way up to 1000 grit.
Festool Rotex Dual-Mode Sander RO 150
This is the sander I start with for rough grits on larger sculptural pieces because of the dual mode option which lets you choose between the circular/grinding mode and the random orbital mode.
Festool Rotex Dual-Mode Sander RO 90 DX
Similar to the Rotex 150 this sander is dual-mode but its smaller size makes it ideal for getting into smaller spaces or for sanding bowls on the lathe.
This is a great carving, sculpting and sanding tool. This is a quality tool with lots of accessories, made by a great company.
Fein Shop Vacuum
A very "fine" vacuum. Been using these for many years, and love them, especially the "auto" feature: you can connect your tool and this vacuum will turn on automatically every time the tool starts working.
A great table saw, with the added benefit of stopping upon contact with the skin, preventing injuries. Many different models to chose from for whatever you need. I've had mine in the shop for 14 years, and let me just say... it's been tested.
This is the cartridge that gets replaced every time the Saw Stop engages.
I've had mine since they first came out close to 20 years ago, and Kreg keeps improving this very helpful tool. Easy to set-up, and very functional tool.
Starrett Combination Square Set
Probably one of the most useful tools in the shop, and these combination square sets from Starrett are as good as it gets. If you can afford it, treat yourself. You won't regret it.
One of my favorite sculpting tools in the shop. The best thing about it is that it can go slow enough to use a drum sander attachment with it, which isn't the case with other die grinders.
The Grex Pin Nailer is a great tool for attaching trim pieces, making jigs & patterns, and setting something up for glueing. The tiny pin nails you use for it (⅜" to 1 3/16" length) leave a discreet hole that can barely be seen.
