Which Woodpeckers Tools to start with ??

[whacky]

So I’m just getting a new shop setup at a new home. I decided I’m going all out in a Buy-Once, Cry-Once mentality, hence how I ended up at FOG.

Bought my first Woodpeckers tool being the 24” T square. Wow. Immediately impressed. Much like the Festool EC-150 sander hooked me on Festool, this square hooked me on Woodpeckers.

What I want to know from everyone is, if they had to start from scratch, had a certain budgets for proper measurement and layout tools, what would be your first 4-5 Woodpecker tools that you would want to have in the shop. Obviously I have some tools already. But imagine ya didn’t and you had the opportunity to build a nice set of Woodpeckers.

I have a good budget allocated. But deciding which squares you want, between the 651, 851, 1251....steel, aluminum, sizes. Etc.

Which of the basic woodworking Woodpeckers tools can you not live without? Which ones were you less than impressed with? Which 4-5 would you rebuy in a heartbeat if you had to? Would love to hear people’s opinions on it.

Current lineup includes the 24” T square and the 4” saddle T.
I preordered the 6 and 3”  Delve stainless squares on the most recent One Time Tools. But those won’t show up till Jan. And I’m definitely eyeballing their most recent Combination squares. They look great. But again, 4 different options and sizes. Wooof. Decisions. Decisions. 

2 car shop. DIY. Hobbyist. Garage junky.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Whacky,
I'm the Creative Director for Woodpeckers (which means I write the sales pitches and do the videos). I've been a Festool junkie so long most of my tools say "Festo" on them. I'm here to give you my personal opinion, not the company line.

You made a great start. The 24" T is one of my favorites. You'll love the little DelVe's, too.

What equipment you have and what you plan to build will have a profound effect on which directions you should go with our stuff. If you have or are going to have an MFT table, I highly recommend our 2616 Precision Square in all aluminum. It is great to square up the fences. Alternatively, we just released a solid phenolic square that is specifically designed (even named) to square up the MFT, but it is sort of a one-trick-pony (in my opinion). The 2616 is marvelous if you are laying out sheet goods work and in my shop it is the "be all and end all" reference upon which all things that call themselves square are judged.

Though you mentioned having the 6" SS DelVe on order, I want to mention the 642SS. The one that came through the photo studio seems to have found a permanent home on my desk. I can't stop playing with it and I love taking it out to the shop and using it. It just feels like the perfectly natural size for carrying around checking things. The 1281 and 1282SS are the most popular sizes of our fixed blade squares, but personally, I gravitate to the 642SS.

I also carry around one of our Saddle T squares...not a big one...usually either the 6 or 8.

Our Woodworking Rules are very nice to have around. If you do sheet goods and you have a table saw, I would get the 49-1/2" R-to-L, L-to-R. Add to that a 36" with centering scale and between your T-square and the two rules you're covered with a convenient measuring device up to half a sheet.

If you're not a sheet goods guy, I've wasted a bunch of your time. I tend to build stuff with an even mix of sheet goods and solid stock, so that's my natural bend when I start talking about tools. If you're more in to straight stick stuff only, let me know what you like to do and the scale you like to do it in, and I'll rethink what I just wrote.

 

[RustE]

1281 SE while it is offered now as an OTT.
Paloini Pocket Rule with stainless scale.
Woodworking Rule in a length or two you need.
Box Clamps are nice if you make drawers.

Avoid the MFT square. Looks like it was made after happy hour on Friday. The 1281 SE will cover many of the same tasks.

I’m also eyeballing their 6” double square too.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Woodpeck I use the most:

Paloini rules
PRL V2 router lift
Variable router jig
Super Fence w/micro-adjust
Precision triangle - 18"
Carpenters Square - 6"

Least used:

Story Stick
Woodworking Rule - 48"

 

[Alanbach]

I would start with a 12” Precision woodworking Square. Personally I prefer the stainless steel blades because I like to have the option of a marking knife in addition to a pencil. The red aluminum is a little easier to read but the stainless allows the use of marking knives and is much more impervious to scratches and dings. Work with the 12” for a while and see how it goes. If you are constantly needing something larger or smaller you can always fill in later. Your work will guide you but you can’t go wrong with the 12”.

The Delve squares are great, you will love them when they arrive.

I would highly recommend one or more Paolini rule. I would start with a 6” version and go from there. Again, I like the stainless because I like to be able to use a marking knife if I want.

I have a set of aluminum woodworking rulers (12”,24”,36” and 49.5”). I also have a couple of hooks.

 

[Thomas Prusak]

Just my opinion but I think most of their tools are gimmicky and high priced.

 

[Max Fracas]

I agree with [member=19233]Thomas Prusak[/member].  I have many Woodpeckers tools and like them for their quality, but honestly I use a tape measure and an old 12 inch Starrett combo square more than my Woodpecker 1281 square, 24 inch T-square, Precision Framing Square, Paolini ruler, and etc etc.  I bought two different lengths of Woodpecker story sticks and have used them maybe once or twice. While I do find opportunities to use my Woodpecker tools, I could definitely (in hindsight) work without them.  I wouldn’t prioritize them over buying things like good blades and wood.

 

[whacky]

Yup, you're right. Good saws, good blades, a good tape measure, and good safety gear come first in my opinion.

Obviously I have been fine in the hobby up to this point with some some less than super precise instruments.
But much like I didn't really need the Kapex over my Dewalt 716, I still chose to upgrade and I don't regret it one bit.

I just know I had a very positive user experience with the 24" T square and that definitely sold me on trying some of their other stuff.

I did take the next step here after breaking down some ply tonight. I went ahead and just ordered a couple of their woodworking Rules.
The Center scale 49.5 length, the 12, and the 6 along with the Rule Stop and Hook Stop to hopefully expand their functionality.

The 26" 2616 Square seems to be a Go-To for a lot of people who work with sheet goods. But I already have a track saw square for my TS-55 track and that seems to keep my cuts pretty square so far. So I will have to see how much I will wish I had a much larger square in the arsenal when I start getting into the shop cabinet build.

Definitely a couple great thoughts about the SS squares vs the Aluminum. I honestly didn't even consider the issues with using a marking knife, which is definitely a considering when I want to be unnecessarily precise (is there such a thing?)

But honestly, the decision of SS vs aluminum square is probably the most challenging decision. Obviously I want a few squares in different sizes, but which ones?  A lot of various options. I just can't decide which one I'd prolly like/use more. Seems like the 12 and 6" combo is a great start.

I do appreciate the functionality of the SS squares for marking. But I also know I'm pretty hard on my gear and like the robust nature of the aluminum pieces. So the 1281 SE that is listed right now definitely has a lot of appeal to me.....fudge.

Anyone ever bought the SS versions and wished they have stuck with the aluminum? Or felt like they weren't stout enough? or vise versa?

Also, got my hands on a 6" Paolini pocket rule tonight. Nifty little thing indeed. Certainly Apron approved

 

[Rob Z]

Whacky,

As I downsized into retirement I  have sold most of my tools and that includes most of the WP stuff I had. One WP item I did keep and find useful quite often still is the gauge block set.

I don't know if they still make it or if it was only a OTT.  There are other companies out there making the same thing if WP no longer stocks it.

 

[grbmds]

What tools you buy overall depends mostly on what you plan to build but the Woodpeckers tools that I use most often are the 1218 Square and the 3 Pocket T-Squares (which are a One Time Tool and not offered regularly).

However, there are a lot of much less expensive but also high quality tools available which are not Woodpeckers brand and they may suit your needs just as well. Plus, you would have more money available to buy other tools which can be important when just beginning to equip your shop.

I'd buy a few quality, basic marking tools like the 1218 and a combination square (like 12") by a company like Starrett (may be other quality brands available also); then make decisions along  the way as you need other tools.

 

[Holzhacker]

Which to get and what sizes really depends on what type / size wood you are going to be working with.
The 1281 would be a no brainer. I have the 26" square. It doesn't get used that much but when I need it I'm so glad I have it. The gauge blocks if you are going to do a lot of routing.
You can go broke buying WP stuff so go slow and steady.
People mentioned the Paolini pocket rules. I bought the 6 and 12 a year or two ago when they were a OTT again. Never used them much, even thought about selling them since it just didn't seem like a useful tool for me. Did a Cedar siding job on a gable wall recently. Having the Paolini made the job so much easier. I won't be selling the pocket rule.

 

[cpw]

My favorite woodpecker "small" item is the 6" saddle square.  I find it terrible useful.  I also use the story stick (I have a 48" and a 96" version) for marking things like domino locations. 

I have a PRLV2 with a Porter Cable motor in it, and a woodpeckers fence that I built into my Sawstop extension.  I am quite satisfied.  I do wish there was a way to integrate a hand wheel for adjustment like their old sidewinder product; but none of the other current offerings I've seen have that either.  Using the top mounted adjustment can get old quickly; and getting precise control with the handle is a pain.

 

[JimmyFord]

I really like their PPR 6" pocket rule in combination metric/imperial, I've got 2 of the stainless version.

The try squares are also pretty nice, the 6" is handy to keep in an apron, otherwise size depends on preference, I use the 6" and 8" most often.

I used to use the 26" square to set up my mft, but have since switched over to the TSO precision trianlges (a must have for an mft in my opinion).

precision rules and a rule stop are very handy.

The little baby square was bought for me as a joke for christmas last year- however I've found it quite useful  [smile]

pretty much all of their stuff is nice to have, but what to get kinda depends on what kind of work you do mostly... everything they make is quality and generally packed with some neat features that maybe are not necessary, but sure are nice to have when using them.  you pay a premium for woodpeckers exrta features, but this is a festool owners forum, kinda goes with the territory.

Bridge city also makes some very nice squares, you might want to check them out.

 

[Cheese]

For me the OTT Setup Blocks are a must have.

The Drill Press Table with metal flip stops.

A Saddle T-Square

The 49.5" Wood Working Rule with a rule stop.

At a minimum the 1812 or 1812 SS square.

I can easily draw lines across sheet goods when using the 2616 and the Wood Working Rule backed up against the 26" blade.

The OTT Bevel Square and the OTT Model 6SS Square

On the lesser used side of things are the Clamping Cauls the OTT Corner Jig the Shelf Pin Template  and finally the stainless Paolini Rule.

 

[rmhinden]

I admit I have a love / hate relationship with the Woodpeckers tools.  I own several, but think many of them are much too expensive for what they are and I don't like their one time tool model.  The ones I have are:

851 Square, 8 Inch

Probably the first Woodpeckers tool I purchased.  I like that is is square, and offset base, but for measuring is pretty useless.  Too much parallex error (too thick) and I don't like the way the scales are laid out.  My 20+ Stanley rule is much better (and still square). 

Hook Rule 6 Inch

I like this, wish I also got the metric version.

Clamping Square Plus

I use these occasionally. 

MINI-SCRAPER PLUS

Works pretty well.

PAOLINI POCKET RULE - 200MM STAINLESS STEEL
PAOLINI POCKET RULE - 8 INCH STAINLESS STEEL

I like these a lot and use them often.

FAT HEAD HOOK RULE - 6" - 150MM - INCH METRIC COMBO

I ordered this when it was announced, says it will be shipped the end of the year.  My credit card was charged when I ordered it.

Hope this is useful feedback.

Also, I prefer the INCRA rules for marking.  I have the Incra - Precision T-Rules in imperial and metric.  I find these very useful. 

Bob

 

[cpw]

The Drill Press Table with metal flip stops.

I forgot about this one; I found it very helpful to my drill press.  I have the molded flip stops and the knuckle clamps.

I also forgot about the coping jig, which I really like.  It is put together pretty well.  I find the screw clamps for holding the workpiece annoying.  Having toggles would be much better when making a bunch of doors.

 

[todd_fuller]

Lots of good suggestions for Woodpeckers tools... I'd also suggest taking a look at the Incra T-rules. Super useful for marking.

 

[rst]

I have a lot of the Woodpeckers tools.  I use the Paolini SS rules, the Delve square set, and the 12 & 18 square set the most.  I also have the MFT square and the various rules with stops but use the others the most.

 

[Sanderxpander]

If you don't have a Starrett combo square, get one. 12 inch is good and sometimes I wish I had a smaller one too.

 

[Cheese]

If you don't have a Starrett combo square, get one. 12 inch is good and sometimes I wish I had a smaller one too.

Ya...truly the best of the best. Quite literally there is NOTHING more accurate. Do you need it to be longer...just add a 24" scale. Longer still...just add a 36" scale.

Remember, that Starrett is focused on serving the metal working industry where thousandths (.001") and tens of thousandths (.0001") are the working norm. The woodworking scene considers a 1/64" dimension (.015") to be a major deal. 

The only soft spot is if you happen to drop it...that's bad news. Other than that, I've had my Starrett squares checked against quartz standards and they are within .0005" of square. Both of these squares are 30-40 years old. Purchase one and it will last you a life time.