There are a lot of products and objects that wood workers use in their shops. These are the things that work for me. I am always looking for better methods for better results, so if you have a better way, let me know.
Glu-bot changed everything for me: I used to buy small bottles of Titebond every other month and now I buy a gallon and refill the Glue-bot. It delivers even and controlled glue beads with just a squeeze. There are three sizes and if your nozzle or gasket gives out, there are replacement packs. Here is their website https://www.fastcap.com/product/glubot-family
The WoodRiver Silicon glue brush. I was spreading glue around with my finger, a folded piece of paper, putty knife, jeeze whatever. Having this little thing in my shop make a lot of difference. It covers all of the surface and gets in the all of the pits and divots. Just remember to wash it out before the glue dries or you’ll be loosing bristles.
I picked up this Performax bench top planer for $150. I was strapped at the time, but REALLY needed a planer, so I got it with the intention of upgrading to a DeWalt, Grizzley, Delta, or whatever was going to give me more quality. It gets sluggish processing harder woods that cover the entire width of the blade, but it always has got the job done. The biggest drawback is the plate is only 12.25″, which really limits what I can put through it.
Save ALL of the well-shaped cutoffs. They have a lot of uses that you don’t expect: finish stirs, inlays, shims, testers, clamp blocks, and so many other purposes.