My father-in-law had a mantra: The right tool for the right job. He didn't coin the phrase, but he lived by it. I find when I deviate from it, that's when I get in trouble. It's a good time to be a woodworker, beginner or skilled, because there are so many more tools, gadgets and jigs to make life much easier.
As Mike Novak of Woodcraft in Oakwood says, "Good tools help improve your skills."
Before buying tools -- especially high-end ones -- heed this bit of advice from Hartville Hardware salesman Doug Lavy: "If you made a list of all the tool companies, they are all good at something, but none are good at everything." So when comparing tools, talk to a knowledgeable salesperson. (Check out our resource list here.)
With those mantras in place, let's look at some tools and accessories woodworkers might want to consider for holiday wish lists:
SawStop Table Saw: The state-of-the-art table saw marries a new design with old science: The human body is conductive, so the blade is designed with an electrical charge. If your finger gets too close, a brake mechanism below the blade is set off. The brake catches the blade's teeth, stopping it before you lose a limb. And it happens in less than five-thousandths of a second.
You have to replace the braking cartridge and blade, but the $100-plus seems a good deal to keep a finger. Expect to fork over more than $2,000.
"It's an amazing table saw," Novak says. "You do not have to worry about it." Go to sawstop.com for a video.
Pocket jig: This is one of the tools that make woodworkers hit their forehead, saying "Why wasn't this invented 50 years ago?"
There is no answer to that, but this handy device allows you to drill quickly and evenly at an angle. You can seamlessly attach perpendicular pieces easily, allowing both a stronger bond and a clean look. Holes are out of sight on most projects.
The folks at Terry's Lumber & Supply Co. in Peninsula will be happy to demonstrate. Kreg -- the Iowa company that makes the jig -- constantly is redesigning and adding products. Woodcraft is selling an all-in-one combo toolbox kit that includes the jig, special drill guide and bits, screws and much more for $219.99.
Helping hands: Anyone who has completed a project and is ready to stain, finish or paint knows the challenge of finding the right way to hold the wood.
Painter's pyramids are small, stackable plastic items. Points are rounded so they don't leave small dents. They are available for about $7 for a package of 10 (painterspyramid.com, leevalley.com, rockler.com). Similar and equally helpful gadgets -- the Rockler Bench Cookie, g******s and more -- are all on the market, with the single goal of holding a project in place.
Clamps: Speaking of helping hands, know this axiom about woodworking: "You never have enough clamps," says Russ Morgan, who has been with Terry's for 34 years. He cites Bessey as "the Cadillac of clamps." But Pony and Irwin also offer a solid variety.
A clamp is an extra hand, and we can all use that. Prices vary from just a few dollars to $60 and more for long bar clamps. Again, the right tool for the right job is important, so asking which clamps are good for which jobs is smart.
Classes: Woodcraft offers classes on a variety of projects, starting as low as $25-$30 and up into the hundreds for specific instruction, like Windsor-chair construction. Orange Community Education & Recreation also offers evening beginner and independent-study classes at Orange High School.
Subscriptions: Maybe your husband or wife has all the tools. Try a magazine subscription. Woodsmith (woodsmith.com) is an excellent publication for how-to-build designs, but it includes many readers' tips on how to make life around your workbench easier and more efficient.
Speaking of reading materials, Woodcraft has a library center carved off into a corner. Peruse periodicals from general to specific.
And for advanced, hand-tool aficionados, consider Christopher Schwarz's 2011 book, "The Anarchist's Tool Chest." The author's sometimes-hokey style doesn't take away his passion -- or knowledge -- for tools.
Gift cards: Not sure what to get your woodworker friend? Terry's, Hartville Hardware, Woodcraft, Lowe's and Home Depot all offer gift cards or certificates.
Here are five other items worth considering:
• "A really handy little tool is a Dremel," Lavy says. "It's kind of a hobbyist's tool, but at the same time it has so many uses."
A Dremel is a hand-held battery-operated tool with an assortment of bits used to cut or slice wood and metal, especially in small areas.
• First we had rulers and measuring tapes. Now there are laser-pointed measuring devices with digital readout. Not really necessary, just fun, though Lavy notes Real-estate agents love these. Point, click, voila: The distance between you and an object is flashed. Expect to pay $100-plus.
• Sanders are a huge time saver, but Morgan suggests orbital ones, not belt sanders. They are "quick and they don't screw up." Belt sanders are probably a bit much for the average woodworker, he says.
• Sawhorses and workmates. You have to put your project on something, right? A pair of plastic but sturdy sawhorses will start around $30; check out Lowe's or Home Depot.
• If your woodworking pal has the basics down but wants to get a little fancy with projects, consider a router. "You can dress up anything with a router," Lavy says. Prices vary; they can be hand-held or mounted on a table.
A router is what gives that rounded, decorative look to furniture. "It's so useful," Morgan adds.
Be warned: Once you have one, you will start buying bits. Lots of them. Freud (freudtools.com) gets high marks for its high-quality carbide bits.
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