Cool Shop Tools 2026: Five Clever Upgrades Worth a Closer Look

Introduction

Every workshop has a handful of tools that earn their place through daily use. This list covers five such items, ranging from drill bits with a clever tip design to a table saw guard that genuinely improves safety. Each one solves a specific problem, and together they represent upgrades that are easy to justify.

Benchmark Shark Step Drill Bits

Benchmark calls this design the shark step, and it is essentially a combination of three types of drill bits: a brad point, a split point, and a step drill. That makes it three bits in one, but unlike many all-in-one gimmicks, these actually work well.

Each tip is tapered to a finer point for precise positioning. As you begin the cut, that point bores a tiny pilot hole to keep the bit from walking out of position during entry, which means no more center punching. As the bit goes deeper, the step design incrementally widens the hole, removing material more efficiently than a standard bit. This reduces heat at the tip, keeping the bits sharper up to five times longer. It also keeps your tool cooler because the bit cuts twice as fast with half the required torque.

These bits bore clean holes through soft and hard materials alike. They are suitable for wood, metal, plastics, composites, and even hardened steel. That means you do not need two sets of bits, one for wood and another for metal. The flattened facets on the shafts let the chuck grip the bit without slipping, which pays off when working with steel. For woodworkers, the clean exits on cuts with virtually no tear out are especially impressive.

Bow Expandable Push Shoe

The Bow expandable push shoe is a table saw safety device that gets several things right. It is more compact than other brands, which tend to be big and clunky for narrow workpieces. Bow combines multiple sizes into one device, expanding from 1 and 3/4 to 6 inches. These options, along with the detachable leg, make it more stable for a wider range of workpieces.

It also solves a common frustration with adjustable push blocks: they are usually a pain to adjust. The Bow version’s expanding design is faster and easier because the legs move on their own, and you can see down through the block from the top. That visibility lets you position it confidently no matter where the blade is. The bottom is super grippy, even when sawdust gets on it. There are three rear catches that can be set to any depth without fiddling with knobs, which is especially useful when using the push shoe on its side at the band saw.

This is not just for the table saw. It works across multiple tools. The best safety device is one you will actually use, and the Bow expandable push shoe is quick enough to set up that it does not get skipped.

Dura Grit Sanding Blocks

Dura Grit sanding blocks are covered with carbide grit, not the silicon carbide dust found on regular sandpaper. These are coated in chunks of durable tool grade carbide, which lasts hundreds of times longer than typical sandpaper. They come in four grits from 60 to 150, so they are not for fine finishing. They are best for shaping, trimming, and rough smoothing.

They are ideal for joinery tasks because the side of the block is 90 degrees to the sanding surface, letting you get into corners or square up tenons. They can even be used on a shooting board for miters and fitting parts like a hand plane. An 80 and a 120 grit are the most useful starting points, though many users end up collecting all the grits over time.

Shark S10 Overhead Guard

The Shark S10 overhead guard is a significant upgrade for table saw safety. It is much more compact than other versions and does not get in the way. It is also more adjustable thanks to a clever articulating joint. Other versions do not adjust as well, which can lead to damage. The Shark Guard has rollers and an air spring lift, so it automatically lifts as the workpiece passes beneath, maintaining a minimal gap that makes dust collection more efficient.

The new mounting system is a major improvement. Other guards mount in the middle of the outfeed table, which makes it impossible to use that space for a router table. The Shark S10’s post moves on a system of rollers, getting out of the way quickly and easily. The arm telescopes, extending to 62 inches, so you do not lose crosscut capacity on larger saws. The whole thing swings out of the way when you want full access to the saw top.

Dust collection is not 100 percent on any table saw, but this guard makes a big difference. It provides full protection from the blade, even during non-through cuts and with a dado set, which is not possible with a regular blade guard. You can even see through the blade guard to make cuts. It mounts to any saw with an L-shaped rear rail, which covers most cabinet saws and most contractor saws. It is not a cheap upgrade, but it is a big one in terms of safety and performance.

Empower SPS Sharpening Station

The Empower SPS sharpening station is designed to provide everything you need in one place so you can sharpen and strop your tools quickly and get back to work. It begins with three diamond plates at 300, 600, and 1200 grit. After sharpening, you pop on the magnetic stropping plates, which are color-coded to accept three levels of honing compound, including 1800, 2500, and 5000.

When your tools are razor sharp, everything, including the compound sticks and lapping fluid, goes back in the case. The simplicity is a big draw. No more hunting around the shop for what you need. It is all in one place. It is also compact enough to take along when traveling, which makes it a good option for those who like to carve on the road.

Buying Advice

These five tools cover different needs, so the right choice depends on what you do most. The Benchmark Shark Step drill bits are a strong pick if you work across multiple materials and want one set that handles wood, metal, and plastics. The Bow expandable push shoe is worth considering if you use a table saw regularly and want a safety device that is quick to set up. Dura Grit sanding blocks are a durable addition for shaping and joinery work. The Shark S10 overhead guard is a bigger investment, but it delivers meaningful safety and dust collection improvements for most cabinet and contractor saws. The Empower SPS sharpening station is a solid choice if you want a complete sharpening setup in one case.

Conclusion

Each of these tools solves a real problem without adding complexity to the workshop. The drill bits cut cleaner and last longer, the push shoe is safer and easier to use, the sanding blocks are built to last, the overhead guard improves table saw safety, and the sharpening station keeps tools ready to work. If any of these match a gap in your shop, they are worth a closer look.