Machinery Handbook. Even an old copy is better than none.
have fun
i_r_machinist

Hammers - at least ten.
Might be interesting to have a thread about them !
For instance - there are shed loads of cross peen hammers, all sizes, but who supplies small straight peen hammers ?
Mark

Money !!
Everything else will fall into place

Scott

I can't believe no one has mentioned safety glasses. Those are the first things I reach for before I start anything.

Rob

1. A good computer with a CAD and CAM program.
2. A comfortable apron with pockets for your Starrett 16R 6” scale, pencil, and micrometer.
3. An Indicol with vertical type Interapid indicator
4. 8” digital calipers (coolant proof)
5. Micrometers, 0-6”
6. Starrett edge finder
7. Starrett depth micrometer, 0-6”
8. Telescope gage set
9. Various size ball pein and dead blow hammers
10. Height Gage 12” minimum with test indicator and scribe
11. Small tools i.e. Center, transfer & drive pin punches, scribe, scales, precision squares, files, Allen wrenches
12. Set of parallels and 123 blocks
13. Optvisor Magnifier
14. Small gage block set
15. Combination Square
16 V block set
17 Safety glasses
18. Tool box

"Most important tools" is one of the standard rotating threads on the luthier forums I haunt, and about the only thing interesting is the wide variety of lists that come up. People often ask me what tools they need to get started building guitars, but they don't like my answer: "Just get started, and you'll see what you need."

Fact is, we can get so many jobs done in so many different ways, I've come to believe that there's no "right way" to do much of anything. Bring to the shop some good eyes, judgment based on experience, ingenuity, common sense, and as much education as you can absorb.

Among my list of ten gotta have things is a big old flat-bladed screwdriver (a.k.a. pry bar, vice handle, shim, punch, chisel, scraper, back scratcher and, oh yes, occasionally it's used for tightening screws).

Whatever it takes to get the job done! No list required.

Manual dexterity and a brain to control it, without those, any tool is a waste of space and time.
Watch any TV ''build it'' show,.... attitude and the dextrous capability of an ameoba, oh how it shows

This is very like what do you carry in your pockets every day. I'm not sure if my list will add up to ten but here's what i always have:

1. 6" rule with crocodile clip to prevent falling out of pocket when looking in the bilges.
2. 6" adjustables which open to 1"AF.
3. Victorinox folding pliers (similar to leatherman but better IMHO).
4. Electrical screwdriver
5. 3 1/2" lock knife
6. Teaspoon with hole drilled to go on keyring so keys as well by default
7. Zeus tables
8. Notebook & pencil (grail diary)
9. Telescopic magnetic picker upper.
10. Torch (4 AA cell)

What do you know there was ten! I have other stuff too but above is always part of my normal overall net weight.

Al

ERA
You just about listed the contents of my 'handbag', including the spoon but missing the loupe.
Must be the naval training
Mark (Stoker, RN. Retired)