Tools & Resources

This page was last updated on March 21, 2021. If you request an answer not found on this page, please email me (jayscustomcreations@gmail.com) and ask me to update this page with the necessary information. 

Through the years of creating woodworking projects as well as creating online content I’ve tried a lot of products and services. This page is a list of the items that I currently recommend. I’ve personally used everything on this page. I will never recommend a product that I don’t like.

In the interest of full disclosure, most of the links on this page are affiliate links. That means if you purchase anything through the links I will earn a small commission. Your cost won’t change one way or the other so it’s an easy way of showing your support without any extra effort. Please do not purchase items you do not need simply because you would like to help out.

CNC:

I have industrial experience running a 4’x8′ KOMO CNC and have personally owned a Shapeoko 2, X Carve, Axiom AR8 Pro+, and currently a 4′ x 10′ PRO Series CNC from Avid CNC.

– Avid CNC: http://www.cncrouterparts.com/
– Quick Track from Armor Tool on both the horizontal and vertical tables: https://armor-tool.com/products/woodworking/t-track/
– TSO Products dogs for repeat locating on both the horizontal and vertical tables: https://tsoproducts.com/dogs/

Current articles on this website for the Avid:

Lumber:

If you happen to stop by either place be sure to tell them that Jay Bates sent ya. Not because I profit from their sales, because I don’t, but because as a small business owner myself I know how valuable it is to know where the traffic sources are coming from.

City Hardwoods in Birmingham, AL. Great folks, great customer service, great selection, and great prices.
Superior Artisan Wood and Slab (formerly Goodwood Sawmill) in Tupelo Mississippi. Chad Fletcher is the guy you’re looking for. 662-321-2732 or visit their instagram page or their website: http://www.superiorartisanwood.com/

3d Modeling Software:
When it comes to free 3d modeling software there are two standouts that I recommend. Fusion 360 and SketchUp. I generally recommend SketchUp as the learning curve is smaller and it does everything I need it to do for woodworking. Fusion 360 is more advanced and has parametric options that are great but not a necessity for the vast majority of woodworking projects. If going the SketchUp route I recommend using the older SketchUp 8 version as it is still free for business use. Click here to learn more about Fusion 360. Click here to learn more about the latest free version of SketchUp Make. Click here for my SketchUp content with a download link to SketchUp 8.

Audio/Video Recording:
– Sony a6500 camera – http://amzn.to/2gTeAsT
– Sony 10-18 constant f4 lens – http://amzn.to/2z7T9uy
– Sony 18-105 constant f4 lens – http://amzn.to/2hWLVAI
– External monitor for shop use only – http://amzn.to/2p0gavk
– Travel tripod – http://amzn.to/2pMAksY
– Tripod ball head – http://amzn.to/2CkipjU
– Shure shotgun microphone – http://amzn.to/2p4oOuX
– Rode RodeLink lavaliere microphone (backup) – http://amzn.to/2i4mDR9
– Rode Wireless Go microphone (primary) – https://amzn.to/2Hepwhu
– Camera bag – http://amzn.to/2ouQcPC

Dust Collection:
– EF5 dust collector (use code “JAY5” for 5% off) – http://bit.ly/2NlQ9ov
– Nordfab ducting – http://bit.ly/2KG07zl
– Shopvac cyclone separator (use code “JAY5” for 5% off) – https://www.clearvuecyclones.com/home/116-cv06-mini-system.html
– Dust Right Universal Small Port Hose Kit – https://amzn.to/2Q2C1Uh
– Dust Right handle and floor sweep – https://amzn.to/2ZPHW3e

Precision Measuring and Marking:
– Calipers (I prefer analog over digital) – https://amzn.to/2LeIkyd
– Narex marking knife – https://lddy.no/n5o8
– Stabila digital protractor – https://www.stabila.com/en-US/products-553/details/tech-500-dp-digital-protractor.html
– The best pencil I’ve tried for shop use – https://www.woodpeck.com/shop-by-brands/woodpeckers/woodpeckers-heavy-duty-9mm-mechanical-pencil.html
– White charcoal pencils – https://amzn.to/2ZzkQcn
– Woodpeckers 26×16 and 18×12 squares – https://amzn.to/2Zwc1A8
– Woodpeckers 6″ triangle – https://amzn.to/2NFVKX8
– Woodpeckers 641 & 851 squares – https://amzn.to/2NDvOv2
– Woodpeckers 1281 square – https://amzn.to/2NDwArW
– Woodpeckers 32″ T-Square – https://amzn.to/2NFWAmK
– Woodpeckers 32″ precision straight edge – https://amzn.to/2ZAuUSv

Hardware & General Shop Items:
– Moisture Meter (Orion 950)- http://bit.ly/2ZiotmT
– Air quality monitor – Dylos – http://amzn.to/2ouY6IB
– 2-1/2″ t25 outdoor 1lb – http://amzn.to/1OsjXYX
– 2-1/2″ Kreg blue pocket hole screws – http://amzn.to/1Osk7iX
– Glu-Bot glue bottle – http://amzn.to/1LrKulZ
– HVLP gravity spray gun – Kobalt – http://amzn.to/2pMOB8W
– Marbles for board games – http://bit.ly/1OJjQbo
– Nitto Tape (double sided tape): https://amzn.to/2XLuV6H
– Rustic pine Briwax – http://amzn.to/1EnC0Jg
– Tightbond II wood glue – http://amzn.to/2p0sWtR
– Tudor brown briwax – http://amzn.to/1TnDPxC
– Table top hold down clips – http://amzn.to/2oP1wtw

Stationary Power Tools & Accessories:
– Bandsaw – Grizzly G0555LANV – http://amzn.to/2oy2Dtm
– Bandsaw – Grizzly G0555LANV riser block – http://amzn.to/2p0my63
– Bandsaw – Laguna 18BX –
– Dado blade – http://amzn.to/210w6ex
– Drill Press – 13″ Central Machinery
– Drill Press Table – homemade with drawers
– Drill Press Table – WoodPeckers – https://amzn.to/2HhGXOI
– Drum Sander – SuperMax 1632 – https://amzn.to/2vVgLmr
– Dust Collector – ClearVue CV1800 – http://amzn.to/2odjkyZ
– Forstner bits – Porter-Cable – http://amzn.to/2pMxns6
– Thin kerf table saw blade – Irwin Marples 10″ – http://amzn.to/1klkIIr
– JessEm Router Table Stock Guides – https://jessem.com/collections/router-table-accessories/products/clear-cut-stock-guides
– JessEm Table Saw Stock Guides – https://jessem.com/products/clear-cut-ts-stock-guides
– Jointer – Grizzly G0490x – http://bit.ly/2oy7Ilj
– Jointer/Planer combo – Hammer A3-41 – http://bit.ly/2IwC82W
– Lathe – Laguna 12-16 – Laguna Revo 1216 article
– Miter saw – Ridgid – http://amzn.to/2oSjgDf
– Pantorouter – Hybrid Pantorouter – http://bit.ly/2MqDEZj
– Planer – Dewalt DW735 – http://amzn.to/1IGqVoz
– Byrd Tool Shelix cutterhead for Dewalt planer DW735 – https://amzn.to/2l1yIdG
– Router table router – Porter-Cable – http://amzn.to/2zVUV2L
– Full kerf table saw blade – SawStop Titanium – http://amzn.to/1OQUXbr
– Table Saw – SawStop PCS – http://amzn.to/2odm8vP

Portable Power Tools & Accessories:
– Drill bit with countersink – http://amzn.to/1ThxZQi
– Festool Domino – https://bitsbits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=265_266&products_id=1057
– Festool OF 1400 router – https://bitsbits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=265_266&products_id=1067
– Festool 6″ Rotex sander – https://bitsbits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=265_266&products_id=1066
– Festool 3.5″ Rotex sander – https://bitsbits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=265_266&products_id=1065
– Festool CT36 dust extractor – https://bitsbits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=265_266&products_id=1070
– Kreg Jig – http://amzn.to/1OdfyXM
– Kreg K4 – http://amzn.to/1V4LTGM
– Kreg DB210 pocket hole machine – http://amzn.to/1pFvmwU
– Kreg Mini – http://amzn.to/1phH3cQ
– Marble router bit or drill bit – http://bit.ly/1HIAZCA
– Megapro NAS Driver – http://amzn.to/1OH8H8v
– Milwaukee plunge router – http://amzn.to/2gSr5Ci
– Random orbit sander – Dewalt – http://amzn.to/1IGt0B6
– Ryobi 18v brad nailer – http://amzn.to/1Q3zZdG
– Ryobi cordless tool kit – http://amzn.to/2p0H4Dq
– Spiral router bit set – http://amzn.to/2BnOINX
– Vacuum pump – http://bit.ly/2NhxIBf
– Vacuum press bag (polyurethane) – http://bit.ly/2z7f46Y

Hand Tools & Accessories:
– BearKat saws – my forever set
– Bevel gauge (t-bevel) – https://lddy.no/n5wy
– Chisels – Kobalt – http://amzn.to/2pMZxmQ
– Dovetail saw – Rob Cosman – http://www.robcosman.com/tools_dtsaw.php
– Dozuki “Z” Saw – http://amzn.to/2odIxsT
– Eclipse quick release vise – http://amzn.to/1PUkyEW
– Engineer square – http://amzn.to/2bqS0lA
– Fret saw – https://lddy.no/n621
– Gyokucho 372 japanese pull saw – http://amzn.to/1TgnE9i
– Leather Apron – Dragonfly Woodworking and Leather
– Lie Nielson No. 60-1/2 Rabbet Block Plane – https://www.lie-nielsen.com/products/rabbet-block-plane-w-nicker
– Magnetic dovetail guide (Katz-Moses) – http://bit.ly/JBkmstore
– Marking gauge – https://lddy.no/n7jq
– Narex marking knife – https://lddy.no/n5o8
– Router plane – Veritas – http://bit.ly/2p4QFv2
– Scraper BAHCO – http://amzn.to/1PTR4Ie
– Taylor Tools #4-1/2 smoothing plane – https://lddy.no/n6cn
– Taylor Tools #5-1/2 – https://lddy.no/n8g3

Sharpening:
– DMT diamond plates (coarse, extra fine, extra extra fine) – http://amzn.to/2pObSKw
– Honing guide – https://lddy.no/n8mb
– Leather strop kit with compound – https://lddy.no/n8lx

Safety & Accessories:
– Bluetooth adapter for MP3 ear muffs – http://amzn.to/1GDYgFl
– Mp3 earmuffs – http://amzn.to/1RF5CZq
– Respirator (quick latch) – http://amzn.to/2oy8df5
– Particulate filter for respirator – http://amzn.to/2q0264t
– Organic vapor filter for respirator – http://amzn.to/2p0rO9B
– Safety glasses – http://amzn.to/2ouRlqt
– Tinted safety glasses – http://amzn.to/2ouOcqC
– The best gloves I’ve found – https://amzn.to/2ZdO00v

Clamps:
– Yost parallel clamps (favorite) – https://amzn.to/2NjklRk
– Bessey parallel clamps – https://amzn.to/2KIDRoI
– Yost F style clamps (favorite) – https://amzn.to/2ZdRfoH
– Bessey F style clamps – https://amzn.to/2z6tRPg
– Yost wooden screw clamps – https://amzn.to/2ZeONOJ
– Irwin quick clamps – https://amzn.to/31Zirth
– Spring clamps –  https://amzn.to/2Zghdru

Direct Affiliate Links:

highland woodworking

 

 

Stickers:

I get my stickers from StickerMule.com. Get $10 credit by clicking the link below.

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule

Website:

Jayscustomcreations.com is a WordPress website hosted on BlueHost.com. WordPress is incredibly easy and BlueHost won’t break the bank.

Editing Software: 

For video editing I started with KDEnlive on Linux, then went to Sony Movie Studio Platinum 12 when I built a Windows editing machine, then went to Premiere Pro when I started cloning stuff in videos, and now I recently switched to Davinci Resolve 16. It’s free and does everything Premiere Pro does plus some. I highly recommend it if you are a video editor. https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/