What 1 or 2 tools do you leave at the machine That make your workflow easier?
We all use our machines differently and with different tools on them. So or workflows must be different and similar at the same time. What we need to accomplish our end results might be different as well. But maybe some of us have set up things that others can use and maybe some of us just have the most random obscure tool ever as part of our cnc workflow. This could be a really fun thread.
I’ll start with the one basic tool I use every single time… my little sanding block.
Because I screw my material to the spoilboard, it leaves little more hills. I grab this sanding block and take off any old screw hole bumps before loading the new material. It also comes in handy for cleaning up fuzzy bits, but it’s real job is the spoilboard.
I keep the impact driver next to my lr4 because it eorks well to woodscrew the workpieces down on the table. A nice 17 mm end wrench for bit changes on the kobalt. The battery multitool lives right next to the cnc. Ill start using the orbital on the screw pocs now since it sits nearby as well.
I need to find a smaller blade for mine. I don’t like the full size one but I do keep a flush trim bit loaded in the router table for this same reason.
I’m blaming this topic for making me think more about prioritizing QOL…
Recently picked up 5.5lb cordless circular saw, been looking at it for a while, was on sale, and this topic started, so… am expecting that to live near the LR4/small-projects bench.
Until now (10+ yrs) I’ve been using a 13lb 15amp wired Makita wormdrive circular saw for all sorts. High up cuts is never fun…
The lighter cordless circular saw has been nice for fast break down of cnc ‘waste’ stock for sorting and storing for future projects.
There are companies that make cheaper versions, but cheaper is the right word… not less expensive. You should absolutely try a pair. You decide your need for quality vs price.
I got the 10 inch Knipex a few months ago. I liked them enough that I bought my dad a pair. They are handy. I’ll probably pick up the smaller size at some point.
It’s big and fat. I think it’s actually for staining fences. Idk. But it’s big enough to do work and smaller than most hand brooms. Zip tie on the handle is so i can hang it from a hook. Honestly I use it more for machine cleaning than anything. Mdf dust all over your motors and rails? Not anymore.
, my 20V battery brushless compact reciprocating saw is handy for misc construction, and also… with a pruning blade has been great for faster yard trimming/cleanup (breaking branches down small enough for yard waste bins) where lopers are too small, and a chainsaw is overkill. A neighborhood co-owned chipper would be nice.
Anyway, QOL tools/strategies for making CNC’n faster and more fun…
4-1/2", plenty big for smaller projects (e.g. replacing rotten/warped garage door panels).
, my 20V battery brushless compact reciprocating saw is handy for misc construction, and also… with a pruning blade has been great for faster yard trimming/cleanup (breaking branches down small enough for yard waste bins) where lopers are too small, and a chainsaw is overkill. A neighborhood co-owned chipper would be nice.