Tools in hands reach

[James E. Welch]

I thought those would be fun. What tools do you have at or near your saw for ease of access. You can post a picture or just tell us. Please explain what you use the tool for though. 

At my hegner on the left there's an angle gauge used for setting table angle. An air conditioner remote control because I live in Louisiana. Some blade holders for extra blades and amazon firestick remote for watching TV (I mainly put on podcasts or true crime that I don't need to see but just hear). There's a handle for helping me to pull myself and my rolling chair near the saw. 

 

On the right is my guitar tuner - see previous post where I opened a can of worms with that topic. ... My hegner blade tool for changing blades, an awl for pushing out small pieces in pieces I'm working on and also to open the back side of drill holes as needed to help the blade slip in easily. A small pair of curved needle nose pliers for pushing stubborn blades in and out of work pieces. I've had blades break in the pieces I'm working on and this makes getting the blade out much easier. My seyco drill sits nearby so I can drill holes that I forgot to drill, happens all the time. A extendable magnet, this is for picking up the hegner blade clamps when the blade breaks and the holder falls on the floor. 

Edited August 2, 2023 by James E. Welch
Forgot something

[Roberta Moreton]

I have a pair of needle nose pliers for when a blade gets bent and stuck in the wood, an awl, a extended reach magnet (it’s actually attached to the metal saw stand) and the pack of blades I am using.

[Bill WIlson]

At the saw, I keep an awl, sandpaper and usually an Exacto knife within easy reach.

The awl is to open up the holes on the back side of the wood (bottom feeder here) and clear tiny bits out of the frets.  The sandpaper is to clean the ends of the blade before installing it.  The Exacto knife, just because I always try to keep it within reach.  I find I end up using it for all sorts of things.

[kmmcrafts]

I have all that has already been mentioned but to add to the list I have a pair of side cutters ( dikes ) to cut the ends of the blades off that are too long. It doesn't matter on the EX type saws but it does on the Hawk and Hegner saws.. Unfortunately Pegas blades are not all the same length, many times they have a thin pointy end on top or bottom and sometimes both ends that I need to cut off for the Hawk.. If I don't cut them off then I have to adjust my blade tension for every blade since no two "pegas" blades are the same length. I end up cutting them to the right length instead of messing constantly with my tension on the saw.   

[Wichman]

Awl, needle nose pliers (extra small), side cutters, workbench, extra blade holders for #1 , extra blade holders with larger blades (#3, #5), 1 2 3 block. sandpaper block, flash light, magnet, small parts holders, canned air, tuff wrench

   

[James E. Welch]

Getting some good tips from this exercise. I hadn't thought of the cutters or the canned air. I like both ideas. Also the flashlight is a good idea. 

[crupiea]

I have some small pliers and my bits and drill and such pretty handy. 
 

If I actually need another tool I have it just far away that I will have to get up and stub my toe or trip or something like that before reaching it.  That is of course after I drop a bunch of stuff. 

[rafairchild2]

Hmmm.. I had to think about this.  I have a little within hand reach when I am at the saw. But I have a pick, a small piece of 1/4 inch wood, a small angle, sharpening stone I use on the blades right under the saw. (you can see the pick). Down below I have a lot more stuff, not really in hand reach.  But my sanding and gluing box, and then a cup of different picks and scrapers.

Also, when I spin my chair, I have my drilling, sanding, and carving station right there. However, I put all my tools away at night, after cleaning, oiling and sharpening, then take out what I am going to need just before I get started. Does that count?

The devices behind me, are all foot pedal operated, I also put them on a vacuum switch, so that turns on a few seconds after I hit the foot pedal and then runs for 5 seconds after.  You can see the black hose that I can move to each station to direct the vacuum suction.

I also have hand held controllers for lights and the window a/c. (Mid-Atlantic here).

 

Edited August 2, 2023 by rafairchild2

[BadBob]

These are physically on my saws today. Next week there might be something different. You may notice that there are a lot of magnets. I love magnets and have them all over my shop. The blades you see stuck to the magnets are used but not dull. All of my accessory lights are magnetic. Most of my tools are within two or three steps of the saw. I always have the remote control for the vacuum clipped somewhere on me. If I have my shop apron on, I'll have an assortment of pens and pencils, and small tools in the apron pockets.

A square for checking my blade.

 

Spring Clamps are used when cutting 3D Pieces that need to be held together.

 

I use a pin vice and drill bit to clean out drilled holes when the blade does not go through. It is also handy for pushing out tiny pieces of wood that sometimes get wedges in the cut.

 

This is a tool I made for loosening blade clamps when they get stuck and/or my fingers get sore. I should add a magnet to this. When I made it two years ago I did not think it would last long.

I use a magnetic tray for storing worn and broken blades and other small bits pieces. I don't put sharp pointy things in the trash. 

 

[kmmcrafts]

28 minutes ago, BadBob said:

These are physically on my saws today. Next week there might be something different. You may notice that there are a lot of magnets. I love magnets and have them all over my shop. The blades you see stuck to the magnets are used but not dull. All of my accessory lights are magnetic. Most of my tools are within two or three steps of the saw. I always have the remote control for the vacuum clipped somewhere on me. If I have my shop apron on, I'll have an assortment of pens and pencils, and small tools in the apron pockets.

A square for checking my blade.

 

Spring Clamps are used when cutting 3D Pieces that need to be held together.

 

I use a pin vice and drill bit to clean out drilled holes when the blade does not go through. It is also handy for pushing out tiny pieces of wood that sometimes get wedges in the cut.

 

This is a tool I made for loosening blade clamps when they get stuck and/or my fingers get sore. I should add a magnet to this. When I made it two years ago I did not think it would last long.

I use a magnetic tray for storing worn and broken blades and other small bits pieces. I don't put sharp pointy things in the trash. 

 

I use old plastic coffee can or old mayo jar to put old blades utility knife blades etc. in and when it gets full screw the top on and put it in the trash and start on a new can / jar, LOL..

[ChelCass]

I need to update my pictures.  My saw is in the center on the far end of my shed.  On the right is a table with a box fan and filter, past that is a drill press with a small drill bit.  On the table is all my blades, some files and sandpaper. On the left side of my saw is my large work bench with two sanders, most of my work tools on peg board. next to my work bench is another drill press with a large drill bit for larger holes. Under the table is a small vacuum sweeper.

[BadBob]

41 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

I use old plastic coffee can or old mayo jar to put old blades utility knife blades etc. in and when it gets full screw the top on and put it in the trash and start on a new can / jar, LOL..

I have a large plastic bottle I put sharp things in. I'm very careful with anything that might get stuck in a tire or foot. Pretty much any sharp thing goes in that bottle. The magnetic tray holds them until I decide that it needs to be emptied.

[barb.j.enders]

1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said:

I use old plastic coffee can or old mayo jar to put old blades utility knife blades etc. in and when it gets full screw the top on and put it in the trash and start on a new can / jar, LOL..

I have a cardboard tube, from wrapping paper, that I use for old blades.  Taped one end.  Still filling it!

[James E. Welch]

This has turned out to be a good topic. Thanks for the participation everyone. I'm looking forward to more replies. I think i picked up something from every reply.