Woodworking gadgets that waste your money

[Tony Z]

I regularly succumb to gadgets, some work, most fail to satisfy. If I had all the money wasted on them, I could have a new SawStop.

[Stwood_]

Sorry if this is a bit off topic, but I think you guys are misjudging those light, cheap HF bar clamps, especially for the price. There’s an easy fix using scrap strips of wood.

Remove the clamp ends from the extruded aluminum bar. Rip a length (clamp length + 2”) of preferably light (fir, hemlock), knot free scrap to snugly fit the inside of the long extrusion. It doesn’t have to be a perfect fit, bit it should be tight enough that you should have to drive it into the extrusion with about a 2# mallet without significantly changing the sectional shape. Trim the ends flush, reinstall the clamp and you have a very functional clamp that’s dirt cheap. Yeah, it’s not quite a Bessy or Jorgy, but it’s 85% of the function at 1/3 the price.

I didn’t invent the caper. I first learned about it from Paul Sellers quite awhile ago. There’s probably a video. Chapeau Mr. Sellers.

Yes, I've heard of that. Thanks.
But mine was other problems, as in the shaft threads either stripped out or seized up. Bad machining. All under normal clamp pressure.

[Stwood_]

I've had several of FastCap's items.
No drip glue bottle that plugs up.
Tape measures that are off from the factory.
Their wood filler? (I think) selection box. Filler was hard as a rock.

All fails.

[WaterlooMarc]

I agree with the table saw tenoning jig. I think I’ve used it twice in the 10 years or so I’ve had it. Even before my domino I almost always a router jig and loose tenons anyway. So by extension, I also get very very little use out of my mortising machine.

[Aram]

I agree with the table saw tenoning jig. I think I’ve used it twice in the 10 years or so I’ve had it. Even before my domino I almost always a router jig and loose tenons anyway. So by extension, I also get very very little use out of my mortising machine.

Same here, but the tenon jig is nice for the female parts of slip joints.

[meackerman]

Craftsman has come out with enough silly gadgets over the years.

[bhh]

Back when I was in college, I had a summer job with a landscape construction company.   The mechanic took a liking to me and told me one day, "Don't buy cheap tools.   They won't work right and you'll end up just replacing them."    I nearly took that to heart, but the few times I've ignored his advice, I have regretted buying that cheap tool.

And even though I ended up working for Sears for a couple of years a bit later, I found Craftsman power tools well earned the name "Crapsman."

[Bill Wilson]

Craftsman has come out with enough silly gadgets over the years.

Truth.  It's fortunate for me that I didn't have much money back in the day when Sears was about the only game in our town for WW'ing tools.  If I had, I probably would have a shop full of those silly gadgets.  



I have one of those turret style doweling jigs, someplace.  I haven't even looked for it in 30+ years, much less used it.  Was it a waste?  I dunno, I did use it several times when I first got it.  I even upgraded to a better quality dowel jig, but I'm not sure I know where it is either as I haven't used it in 20 years.  I used to think just about all glue joints needed dowels.  I've since "discovered" that most only require better milling and clamping.

[paul2004]

I bought one of those Jet line boring attachments that goes on to a morister and lets you drill perfectly spaced holes for adjustable shelves (5 at a time).. Then when I built my kitchen, I decided on fixed shelves, so never used it.
It probably works fine, was just poor planning on my part.
If any one is interested in one,  let me know, I would consider trades .

[fredhargis]

Craftsman has come out with enough silly gadgets over the years.

The silliest ones were some of the attachments they offered for their RAS.