Norm's Tools

Please note the various explanations below the tool tables.

There are picture links for most of the tools listed in both tables.

Arranged by Tool Type
Indicates tool has made at least 25 appearances.

Arranged by Manufacturer
Indicates tool has made at least 25 appearances.
(Not all of the tools found in the table above are represented in this table.)

Explanation of Episodes notation:

• There has been a strange mix of how episodes have been numbered. The original system is explained here. For now I'll retain that original system.
  
  
• There are two episodes missing from the NYW list: 610 and 801 (I have been advised by NYW that the reason they are missing is that plans for these projects are no longer offered, which is the main purpose of their episode guide). Since my list is intended as an historical guide, I've included them.
  
  
• Other numbers that don't show up on the NYW list are two part episodes, e.g., sailboat, play house, garden shed, etc. Those are also included in my guide.
  
  
• There are only 13 episodes per year.

Here are some things to consider about the tool complement I have organized and how to interpret the lists.

• Several tools have changed nomenclature over the years. Some I've noted (such as the Delta Hollow Chisel Mortiser, and the Delta Tenoning Jig), but others I've just stuck with the label it had when I started this. There are simply too many tools involved to keep everything completely up to date. It's not particularly important what the actual model number is, so long as it's represented as the tool or similar to the tool that Norm actually used.
  
  
• Some tools (such as the Grizzly jointer) will show a range from when the tool was introduced to when it was replaced. Others (such as the 22-540 planer and two other planers) have been used off and on at the same time that another similar tool has been in inventory.
  
  
• If an item only has one date it usually indicates it only had a single appearance. A "+" indicates an item was used several times, but may no longer be in inventory. A date followed by a dash usually means that the tool still shows up frequently.
  
  
• Sometimes it's not clear when tools were replaced simply because of the fact that because a tool wasn't used on an episode doesn't mean it was replaced then, even if its replacement shows up on the next episode. In at least two episodes, Norm started out with a P-C brad nailer, switched to the Senco brad nailer, then went back to the P-C, even though the Senco is clearly the preferred nailer. There are numerous cases where more than one different cordless drill was used in the same episode. There was also an episode where both the Lamello and the P-C biscuit joiners were used.
  
  
• One often can't draw a time line conclusion because apparently episodes weren't always broadcast (or numbered) in the same order they were produced.
  
  
• I have all episodes aired to date taped and chronicled, so this list is by no means unreliable. Nevertheless, don't bet large amounts of money on this list; I've been wrong in the past…

Last updated: 27 March 2009