New Tools??? Necessary tools???

[Kernopelli]

There is one tool that sits on the perverbial pedestal above all others that every man "needs" . . . drum roll please . . . It's the bench lathe. It can, however, put a lot of stress on a marriage if you don't have a understanding and forgiving DW. The first day I got it, I didn't come to bed till 2:30AM.
You have been warned!

AMEN brother! I got my mill/lathe combo set up a couple of weeks ago and me and the boys have hardly turned the thing off. It was just like when I first got a welder...I wonder how I ever did without it.

Edit: I forgot to mention before buying it I told my wife how one will last a lifetime, will keep the boys in the shop and out of trouble and makes a great tool to pass down to one of the boys someday. Works every time!

 

[JCB]

I think bjcsc did very good with the list he provided. The one thing I don't have on his list is a drill bit sharpener. Can anyone recommend a good one that will sharpen up to 1/2" bits? I've looked at the "Drill Doctor", but was not that impressed, and it seemed replacement stones were costly. I wish I could develop the skill to hand sharpen on a bench grinder, but haven't been too lucky trying that either.

Any recommendations?

Westbrook,

Look again at the DDoctor. Yeah, its plastic, and probably overpriced, and certainly isn't heirloom quality, but it's the best game in town. I use one in the shop constantly. I'm usually working with steel and always need a sharp bit. 30 seconds on the DD saves me 5 minutes on the next 5 holes. Well worth it.

Joe

 

[sunspot]

I've been thinking of buying a sand blaster. It seem like it would be better than a wire wheel on an angle grinder.
Does anyone know where a mid-level one can be bought and how much it costs?

 

[GinNB]

Haven't seen anybody mention a small (5" round capacity) bandsaw yet. Hobby saw, relatively cheap, but I use it all the time for just about everything. Just wish mine did 6" round. Comes in handy every now and then.