There is a lot of filing in this game. There is a mod that lets you craft with materials that are in any nearby chest, perhaps the same idea could be used to help locate a tool.

Ways to reduce the grind is something I hope the developers will pay attention to. Quick planting seeds in a safe area, for instance. The game deducts an "hour" or two from the day and presto, the turnips are planted. For feature-creep, they could do an animation of you racing allover the garden while the sun creeps along.

I don't think this should be extended to building. Building is and should remain a challenge, more pieces always welcome. Planting a crop after the first 8 times you do it is just a grind if your base is well protected. Other potential grinds like mining are livened-up by frequent attacks from denizens of those regions. Likewise digging a moat: you are exposed to attack, and that creates a certain vital interest in the process. C'mon, pick.

Never buy a keyboard that's fun to type on. Just don't do it.