Sometimes viewers ask me about my tools and video equipment, so here is a list of what I use, categorized by tool type (stationary, handheld, etc). Some items that I’ve used in videos I no longer have, so those are denoted “(OLD)” and listed at the bottom of each category.

Some items are for sale, due to my recent move from Arizona to Washington. The ones that say “for sale in AZ” are at my parents’ place east of Tucson. The ones that say “for sale in WA” are near Seattle. Contact me if interested.

By each tool is a star rating and my abbreviated review. All opinions are my own. None of these tools are part of a sponsorship unless otherwise noted. Some of the tools have been modified — these ratings refer to the tool in its current form.

I will try to keep this list up to date as I get new tools & equipment, but if you see a tool in a video that isn’t on this list, let me know.

Stationary & benchtop power tools

• Table saw: Sawstop PCS-175 10″ Professional Cabinet Saw, 1.75 hp, with 36″ T-glide fence. Purchased new in 2022. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (very fine piece of equipment. I had the same one in my AZ shop, except with my homemade fence. Sawstop’s T-glide fence is very disappointing by comparison, so I’ll probably build a fence for this saw as well)
• 2nd Table saw:  Craftsman 113.29992 10″ contractor’s saw, 1hp. Purchased used in 2013, built in march 1963. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (unsafe, but ok quality) For sale in AZ, $165 OBO
• Bandsaw:  Homemade from plans by Matthias Wandel. 16″ wheels, 105″ blade, 1hp motor. Find more about it on Matthias’ site. Built in 2014. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (hard to use blade guides, otherwise great and inexpensive)
• Drill press:  Rockwell, unknown model number.  1/2hp motor (not original), 15″ swing, 3 speed. Purchased used in 2014, built in the ’40s or ’50s, likely. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (good quality, but runs a bit too fast for some bits. I’ll probably modify it to run slower)
• Metal lathe:  South Bend model 9A, 1/2hp, 9″ swing, ~18″ between centers. Purchased used in 2012, built in 1947. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (it is perfect for my use case)
• Belt grinder: Homemade. I’m using my prototype of the Gen 2 Tilting Belt Grinder. 2hp variable speed, uses 2×72″ belts, serves as both a vertical & horizontal grinder. Made in 2020. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (I built it the way I wanted it, and it’s working great)
• Radial arm saw:  Craftsman 113.29401, 10″, 3/4hp, ~14″ crosscut capacity. Purchased used in 2014, built in ~1964. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (unsafe, but good quality) For sale in AZ, $350 OBO
• Shaper:  Rockwell/Delta 43-340. 9,750 RPM on the spindle. Set up with a router collet so it serves as a router table. Purchased used in 2016, unknown date of mfg. New Leeson 1.5hp motor installed in 2016. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (not too noisy, plenty of power, table top is the flattest surface in my shop)
• Drum sander:  Performax 16-32 Plus, 1.5hp, manual feed control. Purchased used in 2016, made in 2004. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (decent, but snipes a little)
• CNC machine:  Next Wave Automation CNC Shark Pro Plus, modified with homemade gantry. Roughly 26″ square cutting area, uses a Bosch 1617 2-1/4hp router. Purchased new in 2013, rebuilt in 2014. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (not super accurate, even after the rebuild) For sale in AZ, $700 OBO
• 2nd CNC machine: Homemade…I’m not talking about it yet ;-D
• Dust collector:  Laguna 1.5hp cyclone dust collector. Purchased new in 2015. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (cyclone is only 84% efficient, i.e. 16% of the dust, by weight, goes in the filter. It is very quiet and fairly powerful though) For sale in AZ, $600 OBO
• Scroll saw:  Ryobi SC163VS. Unknown purchase date; my dad had it for years. ⭐︎ (low quality) For sale in AZ, $10
• 3D printer: Prusa i3 mk3s+. Purchased new in 2021. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (it. just. works. Feels a little light-duty, but I haven’t seen this impact the prints so far)
• Wood lathe (OLD):  Delta/Rockwell, I don’t remember the model number. 12″ swing. Purchased used in 2016, sold in 2020. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (it’s heavy, which is really good. A bit noisy and slightly underpowered, but overall I was happy with it)
• Vise (OLD):  Wilton 600S. 6″ wide jaws, 10″ opening. Purchased new in 2018, sold in 2020. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (by far the best vise I’ve ever used. Like, 10x better than the next best. But for $1500, I would have liked the jaws to be more parallel than they were)
• CNC machine (OLD):  Inventables X-carve. I reviewed it in this video. Received for free from Inventables in 2015, donated to a FIRST Robotics team in 2020. (no review, because I received it for free and that could influence my opinion)
• Welding table (OLD):  Homemade, in this video. 58″ diameter round 3/4″ steel top. About 900lbs. Built in 2019, sold in 2020. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (Heavy tables are awesome. Round wasn’t the ideal shape, but I got the round plate really cheap. It was not as sturdy as it looked, I should have put more structure between the legs)
• Drill press (OLD): Craftsman 137.229150, 15″, 12 speeds, 250-3100rpm. Owned by my dad. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (from the factory it was terrible, but I made some parts and fixed it. Noisy, but works fine now)
• Table saw (OLD):  Sawstop PCS-175 10″ Professional Cabinet Saw, 1.75 hp, with my homemade incremental fence set up for 48″ rip capacity. Upgraded with overarm dust collection. Purchased new in 2015, Sold in 2021. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (very fine piece of equipment. I bought an identical one for my WA shop)
• Belt grinder (OLD):  Homemade, Gen 1 design, built in this video. 1.5hp variable speed, uses 2×72″ belts, serves as both a vertical & horizontal grinder. Made in 2017, sold in 2020. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (I’ve designed a better one, but this one still worked really well)
• 2nd belt grinder (OLD):  Homemade, Gen 2 design, built in this video. It’s identical to the one I kept for myself, I just built this one for the video. Made & sold in 2021. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (I built it the way I wanted it, and it worked great)
• Air compressor (OLD):  Bostitch OL197. 2.8CFM at 90PSI. Owned by my dad. ⭐︎ (very slow, unbearably noisy)
• Miter saw (OLD): Dewalt 716 12″ double bevel. Purchased new in 2017, left with my dad when I moved. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (well made except for the pivot bushings, which I replaced in this video)
• Metal bandsaw (OLD): Jet HVBS-7MW. 3/4hp motor, 7×12″ cutting capacity. Owned by my dad. ⭐︎⭐︎ (I’m not a huge fan of bandsaws, and this one is particularly poor quality. But it does cut stuff)
• Welder (OLD): Miller 211 MIG. Older style, a little bulkier than the new generation. Capable of welding up to 3/8″ steel. Owned by my dad. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (works exactly as it should)
• 3D printer (OLD): Creality Ender 3 Pro. Purchased new in 2019, donated to makerspace in 2022. ⭐︎⭐︎ (I paid less than $200 for this, and I was surprised how good it was. But, after ~1000 hours of printing, it was having a lot of issues and I wasted a lot of time trying to make it work)

Handheld power tools

• Router:  DeWalt DWP611, 1.25hp, 16,000-25,000 RPM. Purchased new in 2013. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (quite, smooth, powerful. The threaded body is the best height adjustment system of any router I know of. One of my favorite tools)
• Random orbit sander:  Milwaukee 6021-21, 5″ hook & loop pad. Purchased new in 2014. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (good value, decent dust collection. Discontinued, unfortunately)
• Drill:  Milwaukee 2407-20, M12 cordless. Purchased new in 2015. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (works fine. Underpowered, and only a 3/8″ chuck)
• Impact driver:  Milwaukee 2462-20, M12 cordless. Purchased new in 2015. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (underpowered)
• Non-impact driver:  Milwaukee 2401-20, M12 cordless. Purchased new in 2015. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (exceptionally good driver)
• Oscillating tool:  Milwaukee 2426-20, M12 cordless. Purchased new in 2015. ⭐︎⭐︎ (noisy, shaky, very underpowered. The worst Milwaukee product I’ve seen)
• Rotary tool:  Milwaukee 2460-20, M12 cordless. Purchased new in 2015. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (too much vibration)
• Right angle impact driver:  Milwaukee 2467-20, M12 cordless. Purchased new in 2016. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (super handy when you need it)
• Portable bandsaw: Milwaukee 2729-20 cordless, 5×5″ throat, uses M18 batteries. Purchased new in 2019. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (expensive, but invaluable for steel work. Glad I went cordless)
• Circular Saw: Milwaukee 2732-20 cordless, 7.25″ blade, uses M18 batteries. Purchased new in 2019. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (plenty of power and good ergonomics)
• Jigsaw:  Milwaukee 2737-20  cordless, uses M18 batteries. Purchased new in 2021. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (Blade wanders a bit, but otherwise great. I love that it stops instantly when you release the trigger)
• Brad nailer: Milwaukee 2746-20 cordless, uses M18 batteries. Purchased new in 2021. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (works great, and it is soooo nice to have no hose & compressor)
• Hot glue gun: Arrow TR550. 40W, 380°F, takes 1/2″ glue sticks. Bought new at least ten years ago. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (works well enough, but the little flip-out stand is to small to be stable, and breaks easily)
• Shop vac (OLD):  Ridgid HD12000. Purchased new in 2020, sold in 2020. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (Noisy and annoying like most cheap shop vacs, but good suction)
• Finish nailer (OLD):  Bostitch SB-1664FN, 16ga air nailer. Owned by my dad. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (low quality)
• Brad nailer (OLD):  Bostitch SB-1850BN, 18ga air nailer. Owned by my dad. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (good, but doesn’t always set nails fully)
• Stapler (OLD):  Bostitch SB-150SX, 18ga air stapler. Uses 7/32″ crown staples. Owned by my dad. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (good, but doesn’t always set staples fully)
• Angle grinder (OLD): Metabo WP-9-115 Quick, 4.5″, 8.5A, with paddle switch. Owned by my dad. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (lower vibration than any other grinder I’ve used, but very loud. Wish it was cordless)

Measuring tools

• Calipers: Insize 1311-6. 6″ opening dial caliper. Purchased new in 2012. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (Cheap, but works pretty well)
• 2nd calipers: Pittsburgh (Harbor Freight) 6″ travel digital. Unknown model number. Purchased new in 2014. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (flexes a lot under light pressure, but not that bad for $12 lol)
• Micrometer: Insize 3203-1. 1″ opening, 0.0001″ graduations. Purchased new in 2012. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (cheap, but works pretty well)
• Depth gauge: iGaging brand, unknown model. 5″ travel. Purchased new in 2014. ⭐︎⭐︎ (good concept, but plastic construction makes it unreliable) For sale in AZ, actually free
• Dial indicator: Pittsburgh (Harbor Freight) 1″ travel, dial. Unknown model number. Came with magnetic base. Purchased new in 2012. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (works just fine)
• Precision ruler: Woodcraft WR-24. Has scales in 64ths, 32nds, 1mm, and 0.5mm. 24″ / 600mm length. Purchased new in 2022. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (I had to check several in the store to find on where the scale actually starts at the end of the ruler, that was inconsistent. But I found one that does and I’m very happy with it)
• Combination square: Starrett C434-12-16R. 12″ ruler with 16r graduations, no.490 protractor head, center finder, and regular square head. Purchased used in 2016. ⭐︎⭐︎ (blade is slightly crooked side-to-side. 90% of the time that doesn’t matter, but it’s unacceptable at this price)
• 2nd combination square: Empire E255 6″ “pocket square”. Purchased new in 2014. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (very handy since it’s tiny. Amazing for $8)
• Square: Woodpeckers 1281 aluminum square. Woodpeckers sent this to me for free in 2016. (no review, because I received it for free and that could influence my opinion)
• Height gauge (OLD): Starrett 254 12″ vernier. Purchased used in 2016, sold in 2021. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (exceptionally well made, but not super useful to me)
• Calipers (OLD): Starrett 123 vernier, 6″ opening, 0.001″ graduations. Purchased used in 2016, unknown mfg. date. Sold in 2022. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (great caliper, but it was my least used because of being harder to read)

Video equipment, electronics, & software

• Main camera: Apple iPhone XS, 64gb, using default camera app & built-in mic. Purchased new in 2018. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (easy to use, acceptable video quality, acceptable audio. See the “everyday carry” section below for its review as a phone)
• Tripod: Homemade rolling camera rig, similar to this one. The new one simply has two arms connected by ball joints instead of parallelograms. Built in 2022. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (I still see room for improvement, but this is infinitely better than a regular tripod, because it can reach over stuff, and the camera can be positioned much faster)
• Computer: Apple 2015 13″ retina MacBook Pro with 2.7 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3 memory, Intel Iris Graphics 6100 1536 MB graphics, and 256GB solid state drive. Purchased new in 2015. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (over 8 years later, still the best computer I’ve ever used. The MagSafe charge port failed (repaired myself for $25), otherwise it has been trouble-free and still works like new)
• 2nd computer: Apple 2012 13″ MacBook Pro with 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 memory, Intel HD Graphics 4000, and 500GB hard drive. Running Windows 10 Bootcamp. I bought this to use as a dedicated CNC computer. Purchased used in 2015. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (was a great computer when running macOS, but is nearly useless when running Windows. I’m planning to sell it soon)
• Headphones: Sony WH-1000X M3 noise-cancelling wireless headphones. Purchased new in 2019. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (poor microphone, and no way to pair to two devices at once, but fantastic where it counts: comfortable, great audio, and great noise cancellation)
• Editing software: Apple iMovie. I’ve been using iMovie since 2014. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (good, especially for free)
• 3D CAD software: Trimble SketchUp Pro. I’ve been using SketchUp since 2014. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (I love the simplicity. Recent versions have become more laggy on my 2015 Mac, but even so, it’s still the smoothest & most stable CAD I’ve used)
• Software used to make plans: Apple Pages. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (not as capable as other software, but I’m a sucker for clean, simple, intuitive UI)
• GoPro (OLD): GoPro Hero 7 Black. Purchased new in 2018, sold in 2021. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (decent image quality and great stabilization, but not useful to me)
• Camera (OLD): Canon EOS rebel T6i (750D outside of the USA) with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. Purchased new in 2016, sold in 2021. ⭐︎ (clumsy to use, autofocus was useless. Used it mostly for still photos. Only used it for a couple years, then it sat in storage till I sold it, and the buyer told me it failed shortly thereafter. Garbage camera, one of my worst purchases)
• Camera (OLD): Apple iPhone 7, using default camera app & built-in mic. Purchased new in 2016, recycled in 2022. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (easy to use, good video quality, but no optical zoom & bad audio)
• Tripod (OLD): homemade rolling camera stand (see it here). I used it in conjunction with my homemade wall mounted arm (see it here). Built in 2016, dismantled in 2021. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (much better than an actual tripod, because the camera can be positioned so quickly. But I built a better one)
• Tablet (OLD): Apple iPad Pro 11″, 1st gen, with Apple Pencil. Purchased new in 2020, sold in 2022. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (I loved the device but my laptop & phone did everything it does)

Everyday carry

• Phone: Apple iPhone XS, 64 gb. Purchased new in 2018. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (very stable, decent cameras. I like the simple, intentional hardware design)
• Watch: Apple Watch Sport 42mm, first gen, black, black silicon band. Purchased new in 2015. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (great longevity; it still works like new after >7 years. It doesn’t get software updates anymore, so it’s stuck in 2017)
• Precision rule: Mitutoyo 182-202 6″ stainless tempered rule. Has inch graduations in 32nds, 64ths, 50ths, & 100ths. I carry it in a homemade sheath like the one I made in this video. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (this is the most important part of my EDC, after my phone. The wood sheath makes it possible. I would prefer a rule with 64ths, 100ths, and mm or 0.5mm graduations, please let me know if one exists)
• Pen: Homemade, bolt action. I don’t carry the one from this video anymore, but the one I carry is almost identical, just lacking a pocket clip. Built in 2017, I think. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (I built it exactly the way I wanted it, so of course it gets 5 stars)
• Multitool: Leatherman PST. One of the first ever made, made in USA. I only carry it while in the shop. Acquired as a gift, used, in about 2008. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (very high quality. I like the clean, simple design better than the new ones)
• Phone (OLD): Apple iPhone 7, 128 gb. Purchased new in 2016. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (it was a great phone until the power button failed, and that’s nearly impossible to repair. Disappointed it only lasted two years)
• Knife (OLD): Chris Reeve large Sebenza 21. Purchased new in 2016, sold in 2022. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (Possibly the highest quality object I ever owned. But I was so scared to use it and scared to lose it)

Other items of interest (the buildings I work in & things that don’t fit other categories)

• Washington Shop: 1400 sqft (130m²) light industrial space in a business park. Includes a restroom and office (about 20% of the space). Air conditioned and heated, 120v & 240v single-phase power. I share the space with a friend. Lease started in 2022.
• Small shop (OLD): Site-built 265sqft (24.6m²) wood-frame building, 8′ side walls with vaulted ceiling and loft. One 36″ walk door and one 36″ window. 6″ concrete floor, metal roof. Air conditioned and heated. Built by me in 2014. It’s in AZ, but I still use it when I visit.
• Garage/office/lab (OLD): A 380sqft (35 m²) portable “Weather King” building, with the back 150sqft (14 m²) partitioned off, carpeted & finished out to serve as a heated & cooled office and electronics area. It’s in AZ, but I still use it when I visit.
• Big shop (OLD): 2500sqft (232 m²) metal building, 16′ side walls, 24′ overhead door. Insulated; heated floor but no A/C. It’s in AZ, owned by my dad. It’s where most of my metalworking videos were filmed.
• Car (OLD): 2020 Tesla Model Y AWD. 280 miles of real-world range. White exterior, black interior, AutoPilot & FSD. Purchased new in 2020, sold in 2022. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (a bit noisy (tire noise) but clean design, fun to drive, technologically advanced, spacious, & efficient. I grew up with gas cars, but after 90k EV miles, I would definitely never go back. Sold because I live in the city and can get everywhere on foot or bus, no need for a car)
• Car (OLD):  2013 Tesla Model S 85 RWD. 240 miles of real-world range. Pre-Autopilot. Purchased used in 2017, traded for Model Y in 2020. ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ (I loved this car. The Model Y that I replaced it with charged 3x as fast, had more range, was AWD, had Autopilot, had more passenger & cargo space, was new with full warranty, and cost less than half as much when new. Seriously…that’s how far EVs advanced in those 7 years. But the Y just wasn’t as cool and fun as this Model S was)