Hand Tools | KPD Designer Maker

Marking & Measuring

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Axminster Precision Bronze Squares with Metric Rule

This has to be one of my favourite tools in collection. I use it everyday that I'm in the shop! It's small compact and I love it.

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Bahco Combination Square - 150mm

I originally bought this combination square on a whim, but after buying it I was surprised just how much I use it. Its great for marking my 45 degree lines and straight track lines along a full length of a board.

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Axminster Precision Signature Rule

Just like my Precision Bronze Square, this is my go to rule. For detailed accurate markings I always pick this rule up in the workshop. It's small which makes it handy for marking those smaller pieces of timber and taking quick board thickness measurements.

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Veritas 1:6 Dovetail Saddle Marker

I don't cut many dovetails on a regular basis but when I do these saddles make my life so much easier. Now I wouldn't be without them.

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Stanley FatMax Keyring Tape 2m

Another purchase that was more of a novelty buy. BUT!... I use it so often. It's nearly always with me and I also keep one on my desk at home for when I need to visualise size while 3D modelling on sketch up.

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Veritas 1:8 Dovetail Saddle Marker

I don't cut many dovetails on a regular basis but when I do these saddles make my life so much easier. Now I wouldn't be without them.

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Stanley Micro Powerlock Tape

The bigger brother to my Stanley Keyring for when I need the longer length measurements.

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Veritas Wheel Marking Gauge

I use this tool as a depth gauge to transfer measurements. Great for accurate repeatability and it cuts cleanly, both long grain and cross grain.

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Axminster Workshop Square - 150mm

This is what I like to call my heavy duty robust square. I should probably take better care of it. I've abused this square a lot and its still doing great!

Chisels & Gouges

Saws

Planes, Spokeshaves & Scrapers

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Shokunin Japanese Tatebiki Dovetail Saw - 240mm

Although in the past I've used other saws for cutting my dovetails I now currently made the change to this Japanese style pull saw. I like if because of it's extremely thin blade
& the fine rip cut teeth which leaves a clean cut. Plus replacement blades are available.

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Axminster Coping Saw

Great little coping saw for my hand tool only projects. I use this mostly for cutting out waste in dovetails and spoon making.

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Shokunin Japanese Ryoba Double-Edged Saw - 270mm

Another saw in my collection of Japanese pull saws. Using this double edged saw is a pleasure, cuts through soft & hardwoods with ease. making rip cutting on large material by hand a breeze.

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SUIZAN Japanese Flush Cut Trim Hand Saw 120mm

I enjoy using this flush-cut saw for cutting the ends of plugs, through dowel and tenons. The zero set teeth do not mar the surrounding surface which I love. I use on both soft woods and hardwoods.

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Shokunin Japanese Kataba Crosscut Saw - 240mm

The third saw from my Shokunin collection. I use this regularly for rough cutting stock and joinery cuts. I like that it has no stiff back which gives me unlimited cutting depth. The finished cut is impressively clean too.

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Bahco 319 Professional Hacksaw Frame

Being in a wood shop I don't need a hacksaw very often. But there has been occasions where I've used cheap frames and blades to get the odd job done so I decided to upgrade some and add this edition to the workshop.

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Axminster Rider 6 Piece Bevel Edge Chisel Set Hornbeam Handle

No workshop is complete without a set of chisels. I'm using Rider, they are great chisels with a great price. I would say a good middle ground, I honed them all in to get a nice sharp edge. With the bevels all ground in nicely the chisels cut beautifully.

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Axminster Rider Out-Cannel Firmer Gouge Wooden Handle - 12mm

I use the rider chisel gouges mainly for carving out spoons and small bowl/dishes. I really like the simplicity of these gouges. Just like the Rider chisels, once honed in they hold an edge with minimal sharpening throughout a long day of bashing the edge against some timber.

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Axminster Rider Bevel Edge Chisels, Hornbeam Handle - 3mm

No workshop is complete without a set of chisels. I'm using Rider, they are great chisels with a great price. I would say a good middle ground, I honed them all in to get a nice sharp edge. With the bevels all ground in nicely the chisels cut beautifully.

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Axminster Rider Out-Cannel Firmer Gouge Wooden Handle - 20mm

I use the rider chisel gouges mainly for carving out spoons and small bowl/dishes. I really like the simplicity of these gouges. Just like the Rider chisels, once honed in they hold an edge with minimal sharpening throughout a long day of bashing the edge against some timber.

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Axminster Rider Out-Cannel Firmer Gouge Wooden Handle - 8mm

I use the rider chisel gouges mainly for carving out spoons and small bowl/dishes. I really like the simplicity of these gouges. Just like the Rider chisels, once honed in they hold an edge with minimal sharpening throughout a long day of bashing the edge against some timber.

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Axminster Rider No. 5 Jack Plane

The jack plane is the most versatile plane in a workshop, for preparing timber and stock removal. I use it often...my go to plane.

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Axminster Rider No. 151 Spokeshave - Flat Base

I love using a spoke shave in the workshop. There's something therapeutic seeing and feeling the curls of wood being cut. I use mine mostly for spoon making but whenever there's a chance to use one, i'll use it.

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Veritas Super-Hard Milled Scrapers

A tool that I think is over looked in many shops is a nicely tuned card scraper. (took me a while to master the sharpening I must say) however once dialled in, they are great for a variety of projects. smoothing flat surfaces. Scraping glue and epoxy too.

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Axminster Rider No. 4 Smoothing Plane

In addition to the jack plane I use the rider No.4 for surface finishing and final smoothing. These planes are well made and for me a good substitute to more expensive planes. Plus the handles fit my hands great and feels good with the wax finish.

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Axminster Rider No. 151 Spokeshave - Curved Base

I love using a spoke shave in the workshop. There's something therapeutic seeing and feeling the curls of wood being cut. I use mine mostly for spoon making but whenever there's a chance to use one, i'll use it.

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Veritas Cabinet Scraper Holder

Not essential to have but it does keep those thumbs from aching after long period of scraping.

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Stanley 220 Block Plane

I've had this Stanley block plane for a while. I've used an abused it. Cheaper option than others but I use this for very small work and sometimes for dirty work, not finishing work.

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Concave & Convex Scraper Sets

These scrapers are very handy to have in the shop for oddly shaped projects. The majority of their use in my shop is for spoon making. Smoothing out the bowl.

Mallets & Punches

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Axminster Traditional Lignum Vitae Mallets - 75mm/90mm

A nice solid mallet is a must in any woodworking shop.

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SenSona Brass Body Automatic Centre Punch

The most simple tool but I absolutely love this thing. I use it ALL THE TIME! Give you a nice sturdy indent and reference point for all those holes you need to drill.

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Stanley Dynagrip 3 Piece Nail Punch Set

Don't use these very often but when you need to punch that horrid nail that didn't sink down, these are my go to punches.

Sharpening Tools