I’m very new to woodworking and I’m focusing on learning how to use hand tools. I’m slowly acquiring more tools and setting up my workshop, but I just know that there will be something super useful that I haven’t thought about, and won’t realise that I need it until I actually need it.
What items can you just not live without in your shop?
I use dial calipers all the time even though it’s woodworking, not metalworking. Specifically fractional dial calipers. I have digital calipers but they can be a pain to interpret since they show to the nearest 1/64" and I usually need 32nds or 16ths. With an analog dial you can just glance at it and get the measurement you want.
They’re great for measuring bolts and screws for pilot holes and measuring for joinery.