Must Have Tools

[hardlec]

Those cutters look like they will flush cut wire....

Will they?  If so I will be about getting a pair post haste. 

[torkbox]

Those cutters look like they will flush cut wire....

Will they?  If so I will be about getting a pair post haste. 

They cut cleanly but not flush. You would need, ahem, flush cutters for that. These crosscut and may leave a slight burr.

[roadrdr6]

I don't anyone mention this, and apologies if they did.  If you are working with copper or brass pipe, a pipe cutter is essential. This site shows a number of differ sizes and styles:

http://www.acehardware.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1260857

Yes, you can cut pipe with a hack saw or any number of tools, but pipe cutters cut quick, clean, and with almost no effort. Ask any plumber if they are ever without them.

[Maets]

Life is not complete without:
Plasma Torch
Acetylne Torch
Mig Welder
Auto on Helmet
Leather gloves
right angle hand grinders (lots of hand grinders)

[Artfagdirtbug]

I work primarily in steel and to a lesser extent, wood. The tools that get the most use in my shop are:

Oxy acetylene rig with cutting and brazing tips
Anvil cut from railroad track, bench mounted with 6x6 post running to the floor directly underneath
Bench grinder
Combo belt/circular grinder
14" chop saw with metal cutting blade
8 inch chop saw with wood blade
4" angle grinder
Dremel multi tool with cutting wheels and grinding/sanding bands. Pays for itself every day
Smooth faced 2 lbs. hammer
Tongs and pliers for handling and bending hot metal
MIG welder and auto darkening mask
Files
Wire brushes of both steel and brass

Cheers
Happy building!

[Veritas]

Just a few of the tool I consider "necessary" as a watchmaker/beginning engraver.

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[SteamFreak]

Two part post:
1. I do some wood turning when the mood strikes me. mostly I make pens. these are the tools I couldnt live without:
-Mini lathe
-Standard gouges
-Mini gouges for detail work
-Sandpaper
-Shotgun patches (for applying finish)
-Wax bars (for finishing)
-7mm mandrel

Part the second. I was wondering what I would need for (very) basic leather working tools. I plan on making my own goggles some time in the near future and I'd like to do it right. I have needle and thread for thinner fake leather because I also do a little sewing (very little)

[Narsil]

Two part post:
1. I do some wood turning when the mood strikes me. mostly I make pens. these are the tools I couldnt live without:
-Mini lathe
-Standard gouges
-Mini gouges for detail work
-Sandpaper
-Shotgun patches (for applying finish)
-Wax bars (for finishing)
-7mm mandrel

Part the second. I was wondering what I would need for (very) basic leather working tools. I plan on making my own goggles some time in the near future and I'd like to do it right. I have needle and thread for thinner fake leather because I also do a little sewing (very little)

For simple leather working these are the basics

essential :

-Needles (needles for  hand stitching leather have small heads and rounded points)
-Awl (leather work awls should have a blade with a diamond shaped rather than round cross-section)_
-Sharp knife or leather shears
-Linen thread or synthetic alternative
-Beeswax for coating thread
-Various grades of sandpaper for finishing and smoothing edges
-dyes, conditioners and polishes

useful :

-Rubber based contact adhesive; not a substitute for stitching but useful for holding parts together while you work.
-Stitch wheel or pricking irons; for marking out regular stitch holes
-Stitch groover. carves a shallow line at a set distance from an edge, helps to keep stitching straight and protected from abrasion.
-Red pencils for marking out, red is the colour most easily hidden by dyes.
-Punch; for making holes for thongs etc
-snap fasteners, rivets and tools for setting them
-gum tragacanth for sealing edges
-spring clamps

Additional:

-selection of tools (eg wax carving tools) for embossing and carving

[SteamFreak]

You have been most helpful Narsil

[hardlec]

Harbor Freight is now selling a rather nice wooden tool box for a decent price.

Must have a tool box, why not one with some style?  My Grandfather left me his.  He was a tool and die maker at Westclocks, when they made clocks with clockworks.  It is at least 60 years old, and is a work of art in itself.

[Miles (a sailor)Martin]

just a note . the H.F. wooden machinist chest .
                       a few things to keep in mind;
                   a. the doors are loose on the slides,  no stops
                   b. the chest is bare wood, no finish has been put on them
                   c the wood is a soft wood, so do not drop it
                   d the drawers have a tendency to bind,

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rubbing the top of the slides with a hard candle helps.

in comparison to a Gerstener , not in the same park, but much more affordable for most.
got one for my sister to use as a jewelry box. yes she has that much costume stuff.
                                                  miles