Amazon Tools You Will Actually Use! (well, mostly)

There are so many woodworking accessories on the market it's hard to know which ones are good and which ones you will actually use, like hand sanding blocks, everyone hand sands at least a bit, but what about a hand sander that uses random orbital hook and loop pads, that would be a convenient workbench tool, and finally someone has come up with an industrial version of the automatic pencil, and it even has a built-in sharpener, and check out the spring-loaded angle clamps for things like boxes and picture frames ... and with white gloves too ... but the best tool I liked was the compass that you can use to draw circles with, adjustable and easy to use, all these are available on Amazon for some pretty reasonable prices ... So, today we'll look at my Amazon tool haul.
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#woodworkingtools #Amazontools #amazonfinds
Read Full Article on these Amazon Tool Deals! - bit.ly/3L6jkrF
*** Amazon Favorites Affiliate Store - www.amazon.com/shop/woodworkweb
** Amazon supplied Hand Sander - amzn.to/3dyVGYf
** Amazon supplied Automatic Woodworking Pencils - amzn.to/3qVcTOG
** Amazon supplied Compass - amzn.to/3QZy0Kk
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[@girthbrooks39]

Those pencils are designed to give one the ability to make marks in hard to reach places. Such as marking the bottom of deep holes for drilling purposes.... Hence the long skinny metal necks toward the tip where you hold traditional pencils. They get in some places you couldn't normally reach. Great to have around the shop.

[@pinkerbot]

Yes, i think they are called deep hole markers. Great to have! I think Colin may have to try again, and this time press a little harder 🙂

[@sc7568]

Deep hole markers. I've been using them for years, and also have yellow leads for it. Yellow is officially meant for stone, the red one for metal, and the Grey for wood. That information was written in the instructions which came with the deep hole markers.

[@sinsofvorador]

I've also seen white (lead) for them as well.

[@ocotillodavid2296]

Thanks for the warning about the corner clamps. I have an ancient set of clamps that you screw the “jaws” closed on the wood. They work fine. Sometimes new ain’t better.

[@jimp7015]

I have a similar set of corner clamps and I find they're not much good for finer work like picture frames but they do work well for cabinets and shelves - especially when you need a lot of them since they're cheap.

[@David_K_pi]

I build mostly small projects and, hence, do a lot of hand sanding. I bought one of those mouse sanders a few years ago and loved it. Then sometime more recently, Woodcraft put them on sale for 5 or 6 bucks each. I bought three more. I loaded each one with a different grit of sandpaper, and then labeled them Coarse, Medium, Fine, and Extra Fine. This seems to save me quite a bit of time during sanding. I'm not wasting time changing grits, trying to align the discs on to the sander, trying to read the back of the dusty disc to see which one I'm picking up, etc. I just jump from grit to grit (and sometimes back) as quickly as I can grab a different sander. It's really efficient.

[@jimnorris4990]

I also have those corner clamps...they work well when making butt joints or T joints on boxes and shelves

[@BillCoale]

I suspect the white gloves are for when you're putting glass in the picture frame, so you don't get fingerprints on the inside of the glass. (Workers at picture framing shops wear them a lot.) But it's completely separate task so it's still weird. Like buying an oil filter wrench and getting a free car wax buffer with it...

[@genelegate1308]

I think those corner clamps would be a perfect gift for someone you’re not particularly fond of 🤪

[@clemmcguinness1087]

Corner clamps ... I saw a very clever man called Colin online using a 90 corner guide on his bench for putting joints together... oh, that's right 😉

[@curiosity2314]

I recently bought the mechanical pencils with the deep hole ( as shown ) and the normal tapered grip and love them. They dull fairly quickly on wood but easily sharpened. I'm happy with the purchase.

[@briankillebrew]

I have that sanding block and absolutely love it

[@Bill-jv5eg]

I had a set of those corner clamps, look great in my trash can

[@victormitchell6744]

The corner clamps are really made for holding panels 90 degrees to each other not picture frames. In the intended application they work pretty well.

[@jGoodloejr]

very nice little router#

[@Indywar]

I have the sanding block and love it. The only thing I use for hand sanding.

[@grahamrankin4725]

Stumpy Nubs recommended Fat Boy pencils. Thry come with white as well as black and red leads. White does well on walnut.

[@drodver]

William Ng has a video making some sanding blocks that are just great. Simple design today makes it easy to make a batch using scrap wood.

[@JIMMIX7]

I have the clamps, there was other little bit in the box for different angle other than 90degs. I found them very usefull for holding boxes, shelves etc for dry assembly. I loved them. I like the sanding block, like David said, buy 3 or 4 with different grits loaded.

[@davidmartin9045]

I have the sanding mouse and love it as for those corner clamps I am watching you trying to use them and thinking yea I can just see me trying to using those with 1 hand.

[@shanefairchild5114]

I use the Pica pencils which are like the ones that you showed here. I do like the pica brand better. The sharpener is in the sheath that the pencil slips into to protect the lead (because if you drop it the lead will break every time). And it appears to be a little easier to hold than this one. I got refills for it that have black, red, yellow.... and if I recall white. May be worth a look.

[@hassanal-mosawi4235]

Thanks for sharing those tips!

[@Delta4N6]

I had the same experience with those cheap Chinese plastic clamps. I guess you have to spend $50 each for good ones. I made my own using maple and fixed them to a flat base. For the pencils, I have the Pica version and I use a few layers of shrink tubing until I get a comfortable diameter. Thanks for the video!!

[@kenerickson4923]

I bought white lead for my pica pencil. Works great on walnut

[@ta1ntv1lle39]

the sanding mouse! i got one and LOVE it and i got 2 pencils like that, pica dry they have an integrated sharpener - one with reg lead and one with white 👍

[@blotontheland]

Colin i have bought the pencils and the clamp too and find the both to work, the pencils, I got them with the black and gold leads and the clamps work well on 18mm stock say for draw liners.

[@EricRoy85]

Those corner clamps work better on sheet goods for holding corners while you reinforce with screws or nails. such as putting together a cabinet box

[@evoke2104]

Great idea on the Sander, i actually bought 50 sanding disks for my bench sander and they sent me loop versions instead of stick on, so I've been left with 50 round loop style sanding disks I haven't used, will buy or design and 3D print one to make use of them.

[@BostLabs]

Ok, avoiding the clamps. LOL!

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

I was given a set of those clamps last Christmas. Tried to use them twice; went back to my shop-made squaring jigs.

[@ethanmaggs9079]

The beam compass is actually pretty good I just drilled the holes one size larger so my pencil can fit I could only fit a pen before re drilling

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

The final inspector has been looking all over the factory for weeks to find her white gloves!!! (-:

[@aprildegele1510]

That sanding block looks pretty interesting. I also use a white pencil from Stabilo. I buy those because they're like china markers and will mark on just about anything. I have a set of corner clamps (not that brand) and I like them a lot. However, they're best used on half inch or less, so they're good for smaller projects. Won't get cabinets done with them. That compass looks like I good idea, but once you demonstrate, it seems a bit cumbersome. Got to be a way to improve on that just a bit. Otherwise, better than a traditional school compass.

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

I've seen yellow and white leads for those pencils.

[@Jimc4007]

Glad to see how those corner clamps perform, I've been seeing ads for them. Glad I didn't spend that money!

[@gwendastorlie3208]

I bought those same clamps! They also just sit in the box. Not easy to even compress the springs

[@LewHarriman]

I'll bet those corner clamps would be more useful for keeping larger panels at a more-or-less right angle when using a pin nailer to make boxes. Probably useless for picture frames.

[@CelestialLites]

So how accurate was your 4" circle? Seems like that pencil hole size would affect accuracy.

[@rickherrin5364]

"The Clamps" I received the same ones yesterday. Your messing with them is exactly what I was doing trying to get them on 3/4" plywood. Could not get them set even on a butt joint!

[@opie7afe]

I just got a ro-tape for doing large radius marking..good tool for that only down side is it uses little sticks of lead that i have no idea how to sharpen or find replacments easily.

[@boyscout419]

I never use such corner clamps for picture frames, but I do use them a lot when assembling plywood casework, where there isn't a need for a tight miter fit, but rather a need to just have the box completely dry-fit assembled on my workbench. They work great for that. Also, when installing dividers in such casework, the clamps can help me maintain positioning of the dividers (again, dry-fit). But as you have shown, they aren't a good solution for picture frames; there are other much better clamping options. Keep up the good work, Colin!

[@christiandestefano9997]

those pencils are great. i use yellow lead on dark woods. also i crack the lead in half and fill the pencil with both it makes a quick change and u only need to carry 1.

[@squarelevelplumb]

I have those corner clamps, and mine hold well, but you have to be Hercules to squeeze them open all of the way. The springs are very strong.

[@MCsCreations]

Awesome video, Colin! Thanks! 😃 About the little clamps, try to work with them backwards. Position the wood and then put it over the wood. Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@jamesanthony8438]

That's what I was thinking with the clamps, too. But then, after you let go of them, it looked like it was trying to twist the frame sides, anyway. So still, not that great of an investment. Glad he did a review of them to help the rest of us save our money. =)

[@MCsCreations]

@@jamesanthony8438 Very true!

[@nyamlin]

Those clamps seemed horrible yo me as well. I didn't get rubber feet or gloves but they tend to do exactly what he was showing in the video. I bought mine over a year ago and never use them.

[@smokeydk7712]

I purchased those clamps...but 2 had the springs missing...couldnt get the replacement springs

[@BMWHP2]

Handy tips and tools, thanks.

[@raygoble274]

Yeah, I'll take a hard pass on spring-loaded corner clamps. It just seems that it turns it into a 3-handed tool and the last time I checked, I'm one short.

[@BOBBY-et9xb]

I've got a set of the same type of clamps but made by wolfcraft. Clamps up to 22mm and very sturdy. I guess you got the Chinese knockoffs. Maybe the gloves are so you don't hurt yourself or to grip better as those springs are hard.

[@jimcy1319]

On the plus side Colin, you wasted your money on the clamps, not mine.😂. To be fair I thought they looked a good idea.

[@kenjeffares1204]

I too thought the corner clamps were a good idea, they now are consigned to my bad idea bin

[@banto1]

what are the 2 notches at the end of the compass for?

[@alanwasserman8176]

Colin I bought a set of the corner clamps tried using them to hold a shelf so I can screw the board bought them around 9am and 11:30am they went back to the store a waste of time

[@jaybraun9113]

I find that the corner clamps are for larger box making.

[@petem6503]

You might give the corner clamps another try: if you leave the rubber bumpers in place, you get a better fit on the corner. The bare plastic (without bumper) is less even in the application of force, and thus you get more gap in the joint. The springs do require some force to compress, so some will find that difficult. The clamp works better if you set the two boards on a table and then compress and push the clamp down onto the joint from above.

[@MikeTheSith200]

Touche. I have the same clamps and they are hard to open but work well on 90 degree corners. Never used them on small stock like picture frames, but boxes and things like that, they work.

[@alanfreedman5877]

These worked for me in limited cases, but were way harder to use than some other corner-squaring solutions.

[@Q..J..]

With those gloves, you can audition as a Mickey Mouse stand-in at Disney World (but there may be too many fingers 😂😂). Love the sense of humor & thanks for the tips. 😊

[@glennryzebol4472]

Thanks for confirming my suspicions about those corner clamps lol. They always looked really persnickety to use. I also don`t like having 4 separate items to put on to a picture frame when putting them together. There`s a special clamp just for picture frames that, as long as your mitres are on point, pulls everything together perfectly with the use of one trigger clamp. A bit pricey at 50 bucks but works beautifully. Otherwise, i just use ratchet straps with some plywood corner bits to keep glue squeeze out off the straps. Cheap and effective for batching out picture frames. Have a great day. Thanks for the video

[@TheS4ndm4n]

I have two of these, albeit of higher quality (at least they don't flex like that). I think they came in a set of some kind, as I don't remember buying them. Anyway, I primarily use them for assembly with screws or nails. Very handy if you've got relatively long edges to line up. Don't think I'd use them for clamping when glueing. If you don't need a lot of pressure for your glue up, tape will do. And if you do need it, these clamps certainly won't, so there is really no other use that I can see.

[@billoneil2719]

I had the same issue with those clamps

[@karenbulman6702]

Just bough the hand sander thanks. I have the corner clamps.

[@woodworkingandepoxy643]

Hey Colin, little late but you can get white lead for those pencils

[@kenji6665]

Do the Carsen clamps work better?

[@AtotheZ7]

I got the corner clamps and feel there are better tools to do the function they are trying to do

[@michaelgrimes8828]

I have a set of those corner clamps and they work really well. The springs will loosen up with use.

[@davidewing1779]

And then they come off the assembly within weeks of use. Pretty much garbage overall and don't hold well when the springs loosen up more.

[@squarelevelplumb]

I hope you are right. Mine are very strong

[@lemonbar77]

I love that you wore the gloves in the recap 🤣🤣🤣

[@f.s.863]

The corner clamps are absolutely usable when you tape the corners - for example a simple frame -, give some glue on it, and then put it together. If you know use the clamps they a much easier to use and give a good result.

[@davidewing1779]

I have them and they are garbage. They break within a few times of using them and they don't hold well. They work better with butt joints but even then...garbage.

[@markduggan3451]

I've just ordered those pencils so I'm glad they're OK, I could have saved you money on those clamps though, I genuinely thought I was doing something wrong.

[@jamiestevens4402]

The link for the compass does not work. What is it called? I can't find them.

[@MightyMiniWorkshop]

I use the corner clamps all the time, you got to work them in first

[@goodewoods]

At the end you talk about a particular video you made "several months ago" about clamping up picture frames and boxes. The box that pops up is to your "New woodworking accessories you should have" and has no clamps of any kind. Could you please put a link to the right video? Thanks!

[@craigpusey4733]

The pencils are for marking holes through material they're deep hole marking pencils. As for the corner clamps they're for holding cabinet sides together ect. When mocking up or fixing, they aren't precision picture frame clamps.

[@woodworkingandepoxy643]

Also those corner clamps aren't made for small pieces like that. They're made for corners, like putting together boxes and cabinets as a 3rd hand and not for precision clamping like a mitered clamp

[@thomashverring9484]

My favorites are the white gloves! I thought for a minute that it was Mickey Mouse doing the outro :^)

[@jamesflowers7142]

They have a yellow now as well

[@OldJoe212]

The box with the clamps should state, "3-handed operation required".

[@lemonbar77]

😂

[@tbone9664]

The corner clamps would look good in a trash can.

[@thebottomline2]

Actually, the corner clamps are not meant to be used for picture frames. They are intended to hold shelves, etc, at 90 degrees to the sides.

[@pinkerbot]

I did not know that - i have a set from wolfcraft, but i have never used them because of the same problems Colin had. Now i know, and they may come in handy 😁

[@mariaaparecidacarvalho6530]

Yes. They are very usefull when assembling cabinet parts like sides and shelves.

[@brentfrench752]

Yeah, I’ve never seen them used for frames, but rather in building cabinets, or really for several several builds requiring 90 degree clamps.

[@robertmcquattie832]

I have 4 sets of the clamps, they are good for me to use as a extra set of hands building cabinets.

[@squalazzo]

but in the end, if you use 4 of them with 4 wood pieces, they should also be good for picture frames, as the structure would be more rigid compared to the 2 pieces free to move, as Colin did...

[@csimet]

I love my Pica pencils/markers, but they are pricy. You can get the white & yellow leads for most pencils, on top of the red leads. Those corner clamps are useless IMHO (I did laugh 😆)... the best ones I've ever used are the simple 1/2" and 3/4" sets Rockler sells. They just press on. Makes box assembly so easy.

[@b3arwithm3]

The corner clamps are very hard to use. They don’t have enough holding of you want to screw in that corner. It’s okay if you dont need accuracy

[@madocindelicato6579]

Great video as always Colin!

[@joemcgarry1106]

The white gloves are to prevent transferring the oil from your hands to the wood. The only smart thing about that clamp set.

[@islandcharlie7132]

I have the clamps and use them to collect dust.

[@MrMaacin05]

The small slop in the compass pin I almost guarantee is intentional. If it was a really good friction fit it would be difficult to spin the compass and not lift the pin off the surface and get a really jacked up circle. With a slightly larger inner diameter than the pins outer diameter it’s easy to keep the pin in place. Think about it when you are rotating your compass you are pulling it away from your body so that pin gets pulled into the back and has a positive stop

[@vmoutsop]

The compass looks cool but it seems a bit bulky/awkward when you were using it.

[@57hound]

Regular white “colored” pencil works well on dark wood. No need to use water soluble.

[@nickmason2577]

The corner clamps r for putting boxes together🥸

[@kwiknikk]

Can you link the tools in the description? Your site doesn't seem to be working for me.

[@NianticRiverWoodcraftingChrisN]

White gloves- pallbearer gloves!

[@happy_clumsy_minion_be]

They probably are Monday 3/4 corner clamps, thats what they meant, you cant complain, one side takes it.

[@artsfirstmusic]

Use the white gloves for a M&M costume

[@artsfirstmusic]

ART ANDERSON IV HERE. HOW CAN I HELP YOU

[@vashon100]

1:38 Ink?

[@vashon100]

9:25 You totally missed a downside of that tool, the annoyingly small micro sized hole for your pencil lead. If your pencil lead isn't laser sharp it won't fit in the hole at the bottom of those recesses. Whereas a circle can still be drawn with a dull pencil on a compass. I'm sending it back.

[@arbyars.chicksawdust]

Was that Mickey Mouse at the end of the video showing the Items? LOL

[@CelestialLites]

Mutant Mickey with FIVE fingers🤣

[@KSFWG]

(breaks out the white gloves) Shop Inspection Time !!!

[@KSFWG]

SCAMMER !!!

[@dbnoho]

Threw the sander in the cart.

[@garvielloken3929]

Nooice!

[@raymitchell9736]

🧤 Now we all want to sport those white gloves 🧤 You're such an influencer 🤣LOL... BTW: I found the Pica brand pens (ink) and pencils work great for marking though long holes and transferring positions just like those pencils you have... it seems to be a knock off of them, however, they also sell the WHITE leads for their pencils... so it would do what you wanted on dark woods. Those corner claps are a disaster, I hope you can find better corner clamps that ACTUALLY work and please let us know. I have some Kreg corner clamps... well, what I got were knockoffs when I thought I was buying Kreg corner clamps... it's the classic case of the picture doesn't match the product... but they do a decent job but fiddley as heck getting the tension and alignment just right, but what they do is allow me to clamp the corner and then drive my pocket hole screws in... the side of the clamp has a special opening to allow a driver to get in there... but you spend maybe 5 minutes of fussing with them... too tight, too lose, triangle drops down, spring tensioner thingy that was just right now isn't, then it's too tight again... Lather, Rinse, Repeat... 5 minutes of entertainment... (NOT)

[@kevinprivet5942]

They don't sell them in the UK!

[@oneeyedphotographer]

White gloved got handling photos. It's highly unlikely that would fit me.

[@paulyanney3151]

Sorry I had to laugh at those corner clamps

[@barrywhite3684]

Those clamps should not be used as corner clamps. They are designed to act as a “third hand” for shelves

[@AAArrakis]

With the gloves you look like Mickey Mouse! ❤❤❤

[@jarmstrong2843]

White gloves?? Maybe they are telling you to start a career with Bekins Moving Company. I think you!re old enough to remember the commercials.

[@jimswartout9813]

Try a fat boy pencil from Menards. If you lose your pencil you might not buy one I think I paid around $15.00 for one. You get you get different colors lead. Sharpe in your pencil in your pencil in your hand pencil sharper, it great pencil JIM Swartout, Minnesota,

[@watermain48]

Sorry, I was laughing because I wasn't the only one who wasted money on a set of those useless corner clamps...