Woodworking is a beautiful skill and art that has existed for a long time. If you’re a woodworker in training, hats off to you for being so talented and picking such an awesome career path!
Of course, seeing experienced woodworkers and all their fancy gadgets can be a little demotivating when you first start. But everybody begins with the basics, and soon enough you’ll have a whole woodshop yourself! When you first start learning how to do things, you better equip yourself properly. You do not necessarily have to go to your local hardware store. With just a few clicks, tool guides and reviews from BestofMachinery and ToolsScore will get your ready for the basics.
If you’re thinking of beginning your own collection of woodworking tools, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn about the basics that will get you through most projects as you begin your dream job.
#1. Electric Drill
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Cordless electric drills are officially a woodworker’s best friend. They’ve surpassed their role of drilling holes and have now become a multifunctional tool. By simply adding different attachments to your electric drill, you can turn into a whole new tool.
Now, by electric drills, you can get either cordless or corded ones. If you’re a serious woodworker though, a corded one is probably the better choice. These are quite affordable and versatile. Sure, portability is important, but corded drills are far more powerful and long-lasting.
If you are one of the sawing experts then you will know which saw will be the best for your wood work!
#2. Jigsaw
The jigsaw is hardly as puzzling as its name suggests. On the contrary, it’s a very simple tool that is incredibly useful for woodcutting jobs. Also known as the saber saw because of their saber like blade, cuts in a back and forth direction, and allows you to operate it with just one hand.
The jigsaw can also be used to cut curved, circular, rectangular, and serpentine patterns on stock. It’s very easy to control the speed and maneuver around, making it the go-to tool for intricate designs. What’s more, the jigsaw can also cut through plastic and metal, along with wood.
#3. Random Orbital Sander
A sander is a staple in every woodworker’s toolbox. But when you’re starting out, try to invest in a random orbital sander. This is a bit pricier than the palm sanders and can only use fitted sanding disks. But if you can afford it and these disks are available in your local shop, you won’t regret the purchase.
Random orbital sanders are ideal if you want a glass-smooth finish to your work. They oscillate randomly instead of spinning a disk like normal sanders, which means there will be no swirl marks on the stock. They also speed up the sanding process and make it less stressful on your hands.
#4. Circular Saw
If you’re looking for a saw that will be useful for most jobs, it’s a good idea to get a circular saw (look at ToolsAdventure for reviews). This handheld tool is budget-friendly, great for precise measurements, and very versatile, making it an age-old gem in any toolbox.
It’s mainly used for crosscutting wood, but it can also do many of the same tasks you’d attempt with a table saw. The only difficult part is learning to use the measuring gauge. But once you get the hang of it, the circular saw is one of the most fun tools to work with.
#5. Router
This is a hand-held semi-portable tool that every woodworker should have. It’s good for cutting out pieces very precisely and hollow out certain areas. You can also use a router for cutting materials like plastic and aluminum.
It’s common to find more than one router lying around in woodwork shops. The router is mainly needed for beautification, like when you’re adding ornamental edges or making molding profiles. It’s also used for joining pieces of wood, when you’re making specially designed pieces like dovetails and dados.
#6. Nail Gun
Nail guns are really cool, and do the same thing as a hammer, but in an easier way. This is isn’t something that an ordinary household will need, because hammers are ideal for jobs like hanging picture frames. But it’s definitely a handy tool for bigger woodworking projects.
With a nail gun, instead of using a lot of effort to push in individual nails, you can just push a trigger and multiple nails are in within seconds. While hammers are always handy, nail guns are much faster and efficient for jobs like installing plank walls, adding shiplaps, and baseboards and trimming. Baseboards are a great place to start with a nail gun because they’re one of the most visible places in your home and you want them to look nice! When it comes to choosing the best nail gun for baseboards, you’ll want something that’s lightweight and easy to use.
#7. Sawhorses
Sawhorses are an integral part of a woodworker’s arsenal. They’re basically four legged structures that support and balance long and heavy wood pieces that you’re working on, giving you a sturdy workspace. It also functions as a portable makeshift workbench,
While these are usually used in pairs, woodworkers do need more of them when they’re working on big projects. Sawhorses are a good investment early on. You can buy commercial ones made of steel, fiberglass, or plastic. But you could also just DIY your own using wood.
Find out which of the options is the best saw horse for you.
#8. Table Saw
The table saw is basically the centerpiece of a woodworker’s tool collection, and the first major purchase you’ll make. It’s an irreplaceable tool that makes large amounts of wood cutting easy, consistent, and efficient.
The table saw and its blades can be adjusted according to your needs, allowing you to make straight cuts, as well as angular ones and get a clean finish.
Although the table saw is not a beginner’s tool, it certainly will take your woodworking to the next level. So, purchase it as soon as possible, but make sure you get a good quality one that you’re comfortable with.
Final Thoughts
Once you become an experienced woodworker, you’ll be collecting a lot more amazing tools. But the ones mentioned above are the best tools for your use, specifically for basic woodworking jobs.
It is understandable that beginners don’t really have a high budget and need to pick the most cost effective and efficient tools. But it’s important to invest in good quality devices early on as well.
What kind of tools you need to buy will also depend on the type of projects you usually get. So, keeping all this in mind, do your research well and get started on your toolbox!
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