Video - August 1, 2014
There are lots of different opinions out there as to what you actually need to do woodworking. Truth is, you don’t need much. Think about our ancestors and what they were able to accomplish using only the most rudimentary tools. But in the 21st century, we aren’t building for our survival and most of us have family and day jobs that come before woodworking, so we use modern tools to help us build projects faster and with fewer headaches. Below you’ll find my recommendations for tools that are well-suited to the early stages of woodworking. You might notice the big stationary power tools are conspicuously missing and that’s intentional. As you are just getting your feet wet, I think it’s important to avoid spending too much money since you probably aren’t sure this is going to be a lifelong hobby. So why drop a huge amount of cash? Also, the tools recommended here will still be useful to you even if/when you decide to upgrade to larger (and usually expensive) stationary tools.
Router
Routers aren’t just for edge treatments and profiles. You can cut all kinds of joints including mortises, tenons, rabbets, dados, grooves, and dovetails just to name a few. You can go for one of the budget-friendly models such as this Bosch model or you can go for the router I use, the Festool OF1400.
Random Orbit Sander
No one loves sanding, but it’s a necessary part of the woodworking process. So my advice is to get a reliable sander that will make the job as quick and comfortable as possible. For years I used DeWalt sanders but got sick of replacing them. Since then, I’ve been using the Festool ETS150.
Drill
Just a basic drill/driver will do the trick. While it doesn’t have to be cordless, battery-powered drills are ubiquitous and fairly inexpensive. And don’t assume you need the most powerful drill available with the biggest batteries on the market. If you work in a shop, like I do, you’re never too far from a charger and most operations don’t require tons of extra power.
Circular Saw
A decent circular saw with a good quality blade will make splinter-free cuts in sheet goods. The key is to make sure you spend a few extra bucks of a good quality blade! This Porter Cable model is a great unit that should yield good results.
Jig Saw
Helpful for breaking down large pieces as well as cutting curves. Once again, a good quality blade makes all the difference in the quality of the cut. You have lots of options in jig saws including this budget-friendly Black & Decker model as well as this “best in class” Festool Jigsaw.
Set of Chisels
A basic set of chisels such as 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 3/4″, and 1″.
A well-reviewed set of chisels that won’t break the bank: Narex 4-piece Chisel Set. Keep them sharp and treat them well.
Basic Hand Saw
Even if you aren’t a dedicated hand tool user, you’ll still want a decent quality multi-purpose hand saw. I’m a big fan of the humble Dozuki.
Copyright © 2006-2023 The Wood Whisperer Inc. The Wood Whisperer, The Wood Whisperer Guild, TWW, and TWW Guild are trademarks of The Wood Whisperer Inc. All rights reserved.
This site uses affiliate links. Given this, please assume that any links leading you to products or services are affiliate links that we will receive compensation from. However, there are millions of products and services on the web, and I only promote those products or services that I would use personally. The Wood Whisperer abides by word of mouth marketing standards and holds integrity in the highest regard. Should I ever be compensated to write, I will make full disclosure. I always give honest opinions, findings, and experiences on products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely our own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question. All content on The Wood Whisperer is copyrighted, and may not be reprinted in full form without my written consent.
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |