There are two posts current on boondoggle tools, and cheap tools. How about a fancy, luxury tool thread?
I recently got a joinery knife from Hamilton Toolworks, in ebony. It’s just a wonderful tool to use, and to look at. Perfectly fitted, with a seamless ebony blade guard. Just gorgeous, works perfectly. But pricey.
Some things I don’t care about, as long as they do their jobs. I wear clothes until they disintegrate in the washer. My truck turns 20 next year. The AC doesn’t work, the windows stopped working, and it isn’t pretty. But I don’t care. But a really well made perfectly functioning hand tool is another matter.
Anyone got splurges they are happy with?
Replies
This. A real joy to use and own.
I hope my antique Stanley version works well tomorrow. I just sharpened the blade, ready to scrape down a top for a chest of drawers tomorrow.
Blue Spruce fret saw for dovetails. Nothing else compares functionally or aesthetically.
SawStop table saw. Not exactly a luxury tool, but a purchase I am happy with. In ten years I've activated the brake twice. Those cartridges aren't cheap... but I still have all my fingers.
My 1987 Martin T71 sliding table saw.
It's going to take up ~50% of the square footage in my new shop when my wife and I move in a few months but I'm selling other tools and re-working my workflow as necessary. I can't imagine getting rid of it!
Bridge City Toolworks try square.
I'm not sure it qualifies as a luxury purchase (tho $300 at the time was a lot of money for me.) Many years ago a friend who dealt in woodworking machines had a Hammond Glider Trim-O-Saw for sale, which looked interesting. Not long after, I was trying to make some very small pieces on my Powermatic 65 table saw (a great workhorse). What I was doing seemed more than a bit risky, so I went directly to my friend's and bought the HG. It is definitely a luxury machine, incredibly well made and accurate. It has a quick action clamp that clamps very close to the blade, and an end stop that is micro-adjustable. I've cut slivers a few thousandths thick, and trimmed the ends square on a 2'x6'x2" walnut table top. Altho I barely had the money, I've never regretted the purchase (and my fingers love it too!)
Marcou handplanes. 95% Holtey engineering (just a little less gleam but all the functionality) at 12% 0f the price. Well, they were when I bought mine. The later prices were 5 or 6X what I paid, as the quality of Philip Marcou tools became well-known.
Sadly the Marcou website has disappeared and I can't get a reply from the lad via email...... .
Lataxe
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