David Rosales Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 I know there have a been a few of these threads in the past but the latest one I could find is over a decade old. What are your top 3 tools or pieces of equipment that you absolutely couldn’t live without and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davide Sora Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 My hands, my eyes and my ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bress Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 Not sure if this is exactly what I have, but a tall task lamp with a heavy base is probably my favorite tool that helps the tools Davide listed do their best work. https://www.amazon.com/Luxo-LS1EBK-Powder-Coated-External-Weighted/dp/B007QQQ42O/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2CU9UM4SGFPDG&keywords=luxo+lamp&qid=1649086856&sprefix=luxo+%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliemaine Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 https://www.lie-nielsen.com/products/low-angle-jack-plane An ibex fingerplane and a few gouges(hogging, scroll),pretty much does it all. Oh and a good bending iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James M. Jones Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 In addition, to the above… you will never regret having a very stout work bench, good reference materials , Books, Strad posters , genuine classical instruments ect… provide direction , if a good instructor is not available,(finding a qualified mentor is probably the best “tool” you could ever have …. ) and a bomber sharpening system …. To make and modify virtually any scrap of steel into whatever cutting edge you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James M. Jones Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 On a little more humorous note … 1. cash 2. time 3. humility Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arglebargle Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 Paper towels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Noon Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 Top tools where if I didn't have them, I'd quit: bandsaw, gouges, scrapers. Yeah, those last 2 are not single tools... and I also have 2 bandsaws. Knives, handplanes, and a bunch of other stuff would represent block walls if they were missing, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bress Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 45 minutes ago, arglebargle said: Paper towels. And tape to wrap paper towel around open wounds. Cuz who has time for band aids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 The top 3 tools (as distinct from abilities, skills, or resources) which I use on violins are my soundpost retrievers, soundpost setters, and bridge knives. The reason why these are sine qua non, should be obvious to everyone here. Measuring tools run a close fourth. BTW, carrying a few useful tools and spare parts (strings, bridge and post blanks, etc.) around in your violin case, besides protecting yourself from minor catastrophes, can make you very popular at rehearsals, and allows you to attract some extra cash business as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliemaine Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 After all the careful wood work is done, I think the single most important tool is "Good Varnish". Luckily there are commercial varnish makers around selling good product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Butcher Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 Probably the most important tool is glue, not going to get far without it. Clamps too, and a ruler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoPractice Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 Maestro Sora's pick aside, without the ability to optimally function, there are many considerations. 1. Glasses, magnification, scopes, lights. 2. Sharpening tools. 3. Everything else... I doubt I will make it to age 93, like Tony. My tools have had to adapt with ( my ) age. Maybe rank top 10? That would be easier. Kidding aside I am useless without: Bridge knife, stone, drill bit All might fit in a small case for travel... I like my post setter, but can adapt a long needle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melvin Goldsmith Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 Best tool is a great work bench Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avandesande Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 2 hours ago, Melvin Goldsmith said: Best tool is a great work bench With a tail vise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacksonMaberry Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 7 hours ago, Jim Bress said: Not sure if this is exactly what I have, but a tall task lamp with a heavy base is probably my favorite tool that helps the tools Davide listed do their best work. https://www.amazon.com/Luxo-LS1EBK-Powder-Coated-External-Weighted/dp/B007QQQ42O/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2CU9UM4SGFPDG&keywords=luxo+lamp&qid=1649086856&sprefix=luxo+%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-5 Crazy how much luxos go for these days. I couldn't afford to replace the two from the 70s I traded for, that's for damn sure. Favorite tools is tricky, because it depends on what task I'm after. But if I had to choose three upon which my success most depends, I guess I'd say straightedge, dividers, and pencil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Preuss Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 imagination, perservance and patience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berl Mendenhall Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 16 hours ago, Melvin Goldsmith said: Best tool is a great work bench If you watch any videos on violin making, the one thing they all have in common is an strong heavy workbench. Check Davide Sora’s videos. The two best things I’ve ever built are my two benches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Dorsey Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 1. Although it's not usually thought of as a tool or as a piece of equipment, the biggest, most expensive and most essential workshop item that I use is the room that I work in -- the workshop space itself. My workshop is in a separate room in the back of a detached garage. I spent several years building the garage about 30 years ago. I would be able to do very little without that workshop space. 2. Second on my list would be my work bench, which I also built. 3. I have no idea which of the many tools that I have would come third, but my 3/4 inch wide Hock knife and my Lie-Nielsen block plane would be high on the list of contenders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James M. Jones Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 One rule of thumb Is to obtain the best quality tools that are economically possible for your personal situation. a good tool either wears out after paying for itself many times over , or , can be resold , often at a net gain, if cared for properly. Get the best tools you can afford , take care of them and you will have no regrets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian bayon Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 Ulmia workbench, old Mirecourt thumb plane and a good knife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydub Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 Maybe a bit heretical but my bandsaw, disc sander and my Kutzall wood carving disc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_Molnar Posted April 7 Report Share Posted April 7 Bandsaw, reciprocating spool sander, CNC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC Posted April 7 Report Share Posted April 7 Too hard to narrow down to just three tools so maybe a few general categories. Hand saws, gouges, planes, drill, vise / plate hoder. Most important of all is the optivisor since I can't see worth a darn without it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Szyper Posted April 7 Report Share Posted April 7 On 4/4/2022 at 9:49 PM, charliemaine said: After all the careful wood work is done, I think the single most important tool is "Good Varnish". Luckily there are commercial varnish makers around selling good product. Is this a commercially bought varnish? If so, who is the manufacturer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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