Thread: What tools are in your dream workshop?

Gentleman,

I have spent many hours the past few weeks reading through the amazing resource filled thread known as the Workshop. My RAD on eBay has been ridiculous the past few months, and it's time to get to work. However, the problem is that I don't own a single piece of machinery that would be useful for working on straight razors.

So I want to ask you. Knowing what you know now, what equipment and tools would you buy for your ultimate straight razor workshop? I'm looking to build a shopping list and slowly accumulate the tools. You can either add to my list below or create your own!

Dream Workshop/Shopping List:
-Tumbler
-Set of low grit hones
-4k/8k Norton Hone
-12k Hone
-HUGE strop
-Lots of brushes, scrubbers, toothpicks, q-tips, etc.
-Maas
-Sandpaper of various grits
-Power Drill
-Power Sander
-Ball-peen hammer
-Safety Glasses
-Belt Sander
-Drill Press
-Vise
-Grinder
-Steel Wool
-Dremel
-Respirator

I'll add stuff to my list as you guys make great suggestions below!

NOS Stanley No.1

Originally Posted by Noisykids

NOS Stanley No.1

This plane? What makes that such a sought after tool?

belt sander. drill press. vise. grinder. steel wool.

my dream workshop would also include guitar-related equipment, so there would be glue pots, soldering iron, chisels, clamps, drawers and drawers of materials, fret press, jigs, dremel...I can't think of anything else off the top of my head. I feel like 85% of the stuff could be used on both.

and a big shop vac. actually because it's a dream shop, a full dust removal filter system and a shop-cleaner named Sophia would suffice.

I have pretty much everything I need except for a drill press and a good buffer.

I'm pretty set up, so I can't complain. I think I'll be able to finally purchase a drill press this week. I've been saving for the one I'd like, as opposed to the one I need.

However, since you asked about a DREAM workshop:

Well....I wouldn't mind a JET bandsaw, with the capability to resaw veneers. And also on the list is a General Table Saw....although my dad has one, so I can go use it from time to time......but oh man, is that ever a sweet saw to use, it's just so smooth, and the table is a great size.

Alright, I think that's it...oh, maybe a Dewalt Radial arm Mitre saw. Ok, now I'm done.

I originally trained as a carpenter / joiner, I took time out to learn chair making for a couple of years, went back into carpentry restoring listed buildings which was very rewarding I worked for a year in HM Tower of London, and various other buildings such as The Royal Naval College Greenwich, and The Law courts in the Strand then took four years out to go to University to achieve formal qualifications as a Luthier.
I have been collecting hand and power tools /machinery for over 30 years so I pretty much have everything I could want (including TWO original Stanley No.1 smoothing planes inherited from my grandfather) But a thickness sanding machine and a large overhand and thickness planer would not go amiss, and a workshop the size of a small aircraft hanger to put it all in!

Laser cutter! ;-)

I would add:

Quality Respirator (some of the woods used for scales have some very irritating dust and spalted wood is even worse to breath in)
1k Norton to set bevels and repair chips so much faster than on the 4k norton (I still need to get a 1k but the 4k can do it)
Hammer to use as a dapping block when pinning

Thats what I can come up with it about a minute of thinking of what I have that is different or would like to get. Now I really want every power tool made every hand tool and then some. Well two of each but I will start at one set of everything.

Great suggestions guys, keep 'em coming!

I would add to my own list a nice camera, tripod, and lightbox. Taking pictures of shiny things is hard enough...