Only the best?
I’ve never known anyone to take up woodworking in any form simply as an excuse to buy expensive tools. But I have known many for whom woodworking was greatly enhanced…
I've never known anyone to take up woodworking in any form simply as an excuse to buy expensive tools. But I have known many for whom woodworking was greatly enhanced by using the best tools.
Professionals, regardless of what trade they work in, will rarely use anything but the best they can get. For them, the best tools are not a luxury; they are a necessity and represent part of the cost of doing business. I spent much of my life as a professional woodworker and I never gave a second thought to buying top quality equipment.
I began with whatever tools I could gather together and most were modestly priced. (I have never felt that cheap tools were worth even the ridiculously low price most of them can be had for.) But years of working with top quality tools has spoiled me and now, whenever I need a tool, I always start looking at the top.
Sometimes this is not smart, especially when I’ll only need a tool for a one-time project that I cannot image ever having to do again. A much less expensive tool would probably do just as well. But like I said, I'm spoiled.
What’s been your experience?
D.D.

David DeCristoforo possesses an extensive resume as designer/maker of fine furniture, high-end cabinetry and architectural woodwork. His experience in professional woodworking spans a period of 35 years. For the past 20 years David DeCristoforo Design has been located in Woodland, California. During this time David's shop has ranged in scope from a "full on" cabinet production shop with as many as 15 employees to a small fine furniture and custom millwork shop, working with his son, David RBJ, a highly skilled maker in his own right.