Some of my favorite and most-often used woodworking tools cost less than a fruitcake. So, with the gift-giving holidays just a short sleigh ride down-the-road, I wanted to pass along my suggestions for woodworking tools that are both useful and cheap. Any of them slip easily into a stocking hung from a fireplace mantle.

But, don’t consider this the final word on “good, cheap stocking stuffers.” No doubt, I’ve forgotten some. Other I might not yet know about. So please add your favorites to this list. Who knows, we just might help some woodworkers forget the fruitcake for a while.

Glue brushes
Price: $9.99 (pack of 50)
Source: Highland Woodworking

These little throw-away brushes that plumbers use to apply solder-flux are great for adding glue to the tails and pins of dovetail-joints, mortises, tenons, grooves, slots, and other such places where space is tight.

I like to shorten the typically 7/8-in.-long brush-hairs to a length of 3/8-in. to 1/2-in. That makes a stiffer brush, which I find works better for adding glue. A wide chisel (3/4-in works fine) makes for easy trimming. Place the brush on a scrap piece of wood and, with the chisel pointing straight down on the brush hairs, press down on the chisel until the fibers are sheared.

Photo from Highland Woodworking

2-in. square
Price: $24.95
Source: Grizzly Industrial (model no. H3356)

I keep this little square in the front pocket of my shop apron, where it’s always within easy each. And, I find myself reaching for it all the time.

Lightweight and easy to handle, it’s just the right size for marking small parts or stock that less than 2-in. thick. It’s also a comfortable size to use when checking for a square cut on narrow stock.

Plane sack
Price: $8.50 to $9.95, (depending on size
Source: Lee Valley Tools

A well-tuned hand plane should be treated like a fine instrument. One way to pamper your plane is to slip it into one of these socks. Your plane will immediately gain some extra protection from nicks, scratches, and sawdust. Plus, because the knit-cotton fabric is treated with silicon, it helps protect the tool from rust.

Photo from Lee Valley Tools

Foolproof stud-finder
Price: $16.95
Source: Biary Innovation Company

I’ve used any number of stud-finders, from the old-fashioned spinning/pointing-magnet type to the new electronic ones. None have worked as easily and effectively as this simple gadget — Magic Stud Finder.

The tool is available in two models; the “Plus” and “Compact.” I prefer the Compact; it’s the easiest to use of the two. Plus, it cost a buck less.

Just place one of the plastic-covered rare-earth magnets (called targets) into the holder, and slide the holder across the wall. When the magnet passes over a dry-wall screw, it “sticks” to the wall, directly over the screw. It comes with five targets, that way you can find and mark several studs at the same time.

No-mar/No-burn stop-collars
Price: $4.79 to $5.79 each
Source: Woodworker’s Supply
 
A stop-collar is helpful for drilling holes with a portable electric or cordless drill. But, the collar spins along with the bit. That means the collar can sometimes mar or burn the wood when it contacts the workpiece.

These collars won’t mar or burn thanks to a two-part design that allows them to work much like a bearing. So, the collar stops rotating when it contacts the workpiece, even though the bit keeps right on spinning.

You’ll find them in six different sizes to fit drill bits from 1/8-in.-dia. to 1/2-in. dia.

Photo from Woodworker’s Supply

Zero-clearance insert
Price: $24.99
Source: Woodcraft Supply

A zero-clearance insert makes a tablesaw saw safer because it helps prevent small, thin, cutoffs from getting trapped between the blade and the inset opening. Also, it helps minimize splintering.

You can make one pretty easily (see my article in the September/October 2008 issue of Fine Woodworking), but if that’s not an option, you can buy one to fit most tablesaws. Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cutting the sawkerf.

Photo from Woodcraft Supply