Which tools used most often?

[Crash2510]

most used

1dust collector (with all other tools)
2scms
3ts
4router/router table
5circular saw
6nail guns
7planer
8jigsaw
9ryobi cordless(drill circ speed saw, recip, radio, etc.)
10sander

11Bosch 10.6 impact soon to break top 10

too many tools to rank

[bmyers]

Oh.

1) Slow bench grinder
2) DP
3) TS
4) Router
5) SCMS


Bill

[Pappy]

TS
Sander (ROS)
Router
BS
Planer

I limited it to 5 but the drum sander is real close. I think Rags has a good started list but i would reverse the jointer and planer.

[gwyneth]

I probably have the oddest tool lineup and I expect the only poster that will include a chainsaw as a shop tool

In one of his many books, the late, great Rosario Capotosto showed several joints that could be made with the chainsaw.

Plus, it's always seemed to me that if you own a big bandsaw for resawing boards, you practically have to have a chainsaw to take logs down to size first. (But I spend too much time eyeing firewood.)

[Sawatzky]

1. Cordless drill - whether or not you do woodworking, every man needs to have one. This was the first power tool I bought, and it gets used for way more than just woodworking.

2. Compound Miter saw - again, very handy for more than just cabinets. This was the second power tool I bought and I have used to to build two patio covers and tons of cabinets.

3. Table saw - if you do any woodworking large or small, a table saw is a must.

4. Router - too many uses to list.

5. nailer - There has never been a woodworking project where I have not needed my brad nailer.

[gwyneth]

1. Cordless drill - whether or not you do woodworking, every man needs to have one.

Ahem.

[drumpriest]

Hard question, so many of my tools get so much use. It depends upon what I am doing, but if it's an honest to goodness woodworking job...here are a bunch, in relative positions. It does vary quite a bit from job to job though....

DC&Shop Vac (of course)
TS
Routers
jointer
planer
drum sander/ROS/OSS (yeah, they are all used on almost every project)
bandsaw
scroll saw
SCMS
Domino
Biscuit joiner
nail gun
Drill Press
Vacuum press
lathe

[cabinetman]

In one of his many books, the late, great Rosario Capotosto showed several joints that could be made with the chainsaw.

You picked a pretty good author, actually one of my favorites. I recommend his book Complete Book Of Woodworking to anyone's personal library.

As for my tool list, I can't really give an order, because it would depend on where I left off the day before. When you do this 6 days a week, you get to play with just about everything. Ya-all know how I meant that.
.

[jatco]

Of late, my list would be..
CMS
Brad nailer and compressor
Cordless drill
shop vac
.
..I dont even have a ts, yet. - Go figure. Had my dad's old Craftsman circa 1950's - a great saw, but not portable.
Still looking for one, but dont use a ts all that often.

[JimD]

It depends on the project. I will try to generalize, however:

DC (but not the best first purchase)
Table saw (the best first purchase, IMHO if furniture or casegoods will be the projects)
Radial Arm saw (rough cross cuts or better wide ones if I check it)
CMS (accurate crosscuts within its capacity)
Routers (I use 4 regularly but could get by with one motor and multiple bases)
Drill press (floor model with a home-made table with fence)

I also have a INCA 410 jointer/planner that I use a lot on some projects and a bandsaw I occasionally use. For hand-held tools, the 3 cordless drills I regularly use (I have a couple more I rarely use) get the most work but corded drills, circular saws, and a Bosch jigsaw are also very nice to have and get used when needed. I use 3 nailers and a pneumatic stapler a lot too plus a Wagner conversion gun.

Jim

[DonHo]

Well I use the DC and an air cleaner almost all the time I'm in the shop but they weren't my first tool buys and they wouldn't be if I were to start over, very nice and good to have however.

The top 5 tools I use most:

1: drill driver
2: table saw
3. band saw
4. lathe ( of course if you're gonna use a lathe you need sharp tools so a grinder goes with the lathe but I didn't count it)
5. router

I'd also hate to be without power sanders, drill press, etc

DonHo

[leehljp]

1. TS
2. Router (hand held)
3. BS
4. DP
5. 6 in belt sander
6. Router table
7. ROS and 3 in belt sander
8. Jointer
9. Kreg
10. PC biscuit cutter

Hand held utility tools:
1. Cordless Impact driver
2. Various measurement tools
3. Circular saw
4. Cordless Drill driver

IN ANOTHER world of WW:
1. Lathe - as much as all of the others above.
2. Two home made cutoff and pen cutting mini table saws.

[LinuxRandal]

I do agree that it DOES depend on the project. Different things from Woodworking to Home remodel/repair.

I also would like to state, that I tend to kinda do runs on projects. If I am using one tool a lot for one, I will tend to gravitate toward other projects that need doing/finishing that requires those tools.

Lately:
Drill(s) on just about everything
Circular saw (with and without my EZ Smart system)
Router(s)
Kreg Jig
Pnuematic nailers (brad, and finish)

Now it is getting colder, I hope to work inside on fine stuff more, but traditionally holliday hours kick in. If this is a slower holiday shopping year, my shop time may increase.

Now I didn't count any hand tools, but would like to point out all the things I see that were built with them, and how the old timers, didn't really need all this stuff. I neandered for a number of years (with gramps hand tools), and while I did get tired of it, I think I was in better shape.

[JR]

Hmmm...

Cordless drill
DC and air cleaner
CMS
TS
OSS

Having said that, I've been using the heck out of my router this week, making 100 tenons plus some dadoes.

It's interesting that so may of us put the DC at the top of the list for usage, but recommend it for purchase somewhere lower on the list. I remember when my brother opened his cabinet shop he was shocked at the city-mandated requirements for DC before he could open up. You DO have to budget for DC, even if you don't have to buy it immediately.

JR

[Jeffrey Schronce]

DC & Vac are used in practically every application though dust in my shop may not reflect same

Most frequently used :
TS
jointer
planer
router
Domino
bandsaw
dual drum sander for highly figured woods
SCMS
edge sander
OSS
sanders
Drill Press
more sanders

I would not want to be without any of these tools. Practically all of them make apperances in every project, except possibly OSS and DP.

What I would recommend to newbie getting into WWing.

TS (first and foremost)
Clamps (!)
router with quality bit set
planer
jointer
ROS

TS can handle ripping, cross cutting etc. Got to have clamps to clamp everything up unless you are going screws/nails and glue. Router gives nice edge treatment and helps substantially with joinery. Planer opens world of working the stuff other than 3/4" material. Jointer further adds to the world of buying rough lumber and milling wood at lower cost and/or higher quality. After a short period of time you will want to move to power sanding from hand sanding. I recommend a good ROS.