It’s important for woodworkers to have the best woodworking tools for the job. This doesn’t necessarily mean they need to be the most expensive tools money can buy. Oftentimes the right choice for you is a more affordable option. Now let’s take a closer look at what to consider when picking out the best woodworking tools for your shop.
I believe a person can only get as good at a craft as the equipment allows. That goes for woodworking as well.
Which Woodworking Tools Should I Buy First
Lets say you are new to woodworking and don’t have many tools yet. You feel overwhelmed by all the options that are out there. You don’t need very many to get started in woodworking.
Start with these tools:
- Miter Saw
- Circular Saw
- Router
- Random Orbital Sander
- Hand Drill
- Chisel Set
- Clamps
- Mallet
First you need some sort of a saw to cut your material to appropriate sizes. For this a circular saw of some kind is ideal. If you have enough floor space to fit a table saw I recommend getting one of those. If your space is limited, a handheld circular saw with a saw guide will be fine.
DeWalt 12 in Miter Saw:
The DEWALT DWS715 is a powerful miter saw that delivers high performance cutting and accuracy. The 15 amp motor has 4,000 RPM and this allows for fast and easy cutting on various materials such as wood, plastic, aluminum, steel etc. The lightweight design makes it easier to handle the tool when using it for extended periods of time. It has a single bevel system which means you can use the saw to make angled cuts at any desired angle (0-50 degrees) without having to adjust the blade.
Skil 10 in Table Saw:
The Skil 10 in Table Saw with Folding Stand is the perfect addition to your workshop! With a powerful 15 amp motor and a 5,000 RPM no-load speed, you can cut through any material up to 2×12 in. This table saw features an adjustable miter gauge for accurate crosscuts and bevels up to 45 degrees either left or right. The built-in cast iron extension wings provide added support while cutting large pieces of material, and the telescoping fence rails allow you to make precise adjustments without having to move the
Handheld Circular Saw:
The SKIL 5280-01 is a lightweight, powerful circular saw that delivers 5,300 RPM for faster cutting and greater productivity. The 7-1/4 inch carbide tipped blade cuts 2x lumber with ease, while the spindle lock allows fast and easy blade changes. The 51 degree bevel capacity provides a wide variety of cuts to make your projects easier. This 15 amp circular saw weighs only 6.95 pounds for less user fatigue during long work sessions. An anti-snag lower guard and dust blower keep the sawdust out of your way.
Circular Saw Guide:
The SKIL 5280 Circular Saw and Kreg ACCU-Cut XL Saw Guide combo can take the place of a table saw. It can get the same cuts done without requiring a ton of space to store them.
The reason why I recommend going for a table saw only if you have enough space is they require room to work around. You need to be able to slide your material through the saw, making their footprint virtually double.
A circular saw is essentially the same tool as a table saw. One major difference is the saw is mobile, vs a table saw which is stationary. The other main factor is a handheld circular saw is going to be easier to store away when not in use.
Makita Compact Router Kit:
The Makita Compact Router Kit includes the compact router (model RT0701CX7), a plunge base, an edge guide and a soft-sided carrying case. The 1-1/4 HP motor delivers 10,000 to 30,000 RPM for superior speed control to help match the speed to the application. A variable speed control dial enables the user to match the speed to the application. Smooth rack and pinion fine depth adjustment system for more precise settings. Slim and ergonomically designed body for increased comfort and control. Quick release cam lock system for
DeWalt Orbital Sander:
The DeWalt Orbital Sander is ideal for sanding wood, metal and plastic. With a brushless motor, it provides up to 40 percent longer runtime than brushed models. The variable-speed control of the hand sander from 8,000 to 12,000 OPM allows you to match the speed to the application. A low-profile height of the power sander allows user to get close to work surface for precise sanding.
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Kit:
This DeWalt Cordless drill/driver combo kit provides power and performance for a range of applications. DCD771 delivers 300 unit watts out (UWO) of power to complete a wide range of drilling, driving and fastening projects. The compact, lightweight design fits into tight areas for convenient use around the home or on the jobsite. Features two-speed transmission (0-450 / 0-1,500 RPM), high performance motor that delivers up to 2,900 BPM with variable speed trigger (0-3,600 RPM / 0-2,400 IPM).
Key factors for picking the best woodworking tools for you:
- Types of projects you work on
- Price range you are looking at
- Amount of space in your workshop
- Batteries are compatible across multiple tools
If you are brand new to woodworking it’s important to learn the fundamentals first. My favorite way to consider woodworking is thinking of putting a puzzle together. The big difference is you are going to be making all the pieces of your puzzle, and putting them together.
I cover this in my article on Woodworking Tools For Beginners.
Best Woodworking Tools Under $50:
Tools that are more affordable are not always lower quality. The following choices are tools that are some of the best woodworking tool choices that are priced under $50.
3M WorkTunes Bluetooth Hearing Protection:
The 3M WorkTunes Connect Hearing Protector with Bluetooth Technology is a comfortable hearing protector that comes with the convenience of wireless technology. It is designed for use in environments where workers are exposed to loud noises and need the ability to communicate via mobile phone or radio. The unit features an adjustable volume control, voice-activated microphone, and audio input jack. A single charge gives you up to eight hours of talk time, and up to 100 hours of standby time. It has a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 24 decibels.
Japanese Ryoba Saw:
This is a Japanese Ryoba Saw. The blade is made of high quality carbon steel which has been hardened and tempered to enable it to hold an edge longer than most other saws. It also features a beautiful wooden handle that will last for many years and give you great comfort when using it. This saw comes in handy if you are making precise cuts in thick lumber, as it can cut through them very easily. The teeth on this saw are set at an angle of 27 degrees, so they will be able to make very accurate cuts without any splintering.
Knife Sharpening Stone:
This Knife Sharpening Kit is ideal for sharpening chisels or planer knives. It comes with double-sided (#1000/ #6000) premium quality whetstone, bamboo base for stability and a non-slip rubber mat to protect your work surface. The stone is set in an aluminum oxide grinding surface that will not corrode or rust and resists chipping. Its medium grit (1000) side provides quick sharpening of dull edges without changing the bevel angle while the fine grit (6000) side gives a razor sharp edge
Mortise and Tenon Tool:
The Mortise and Tenon Tool is the right tool for the job when it comes to making accurate mortises. It’s a lot easier than using a chisel. The movable measuring block allows you to make your mortises at any distance you want from your edge. This is great for making different sized mortises. This product is a slot adjustment tool for table saw. It can be used to adjust the width of the slot on the table saw, easy to use and practical.
Best Woodworking Tools Under $100
Now lets take a look at some of the best woodworking tool choices under $100. These are all tools you will love to own but without needing to fork out a lot of money for them.
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig System:
The Kreg Pocket Hole Jig is the most popular pocket hole jig in the world, and for good reason. It makes creating pocket holes simple and accurate, regardless of your skill level or how thick your material is. The Kreg Pocket Hole Jig is portable enough to take with you on the job site, yet it’s powerful enough to handle any project around your home. And its compact size makes it easy to store when not in use.
Bosch Corded Palm Sander:
Bosch’s line of Palm Sanders is designed to be the most user friendly and versatile on the market. The ROS20VSK features a variable speed control, 7,500-12,000 OPM (Orbits Per Minute), and a Hook and Loop disc attachment system for quick pad changes. It’s lightweight design allows you to work with less fatigue in hand and arm while still maintaining power and durability. Bosch’s signature Pad dampening system reduces swirl marks on both flat and contoured surfaces, ensuring that you can achieve high quality results every time.
Portable Workbench:
Take your workshop to the next level with This Portable Workbench. Made of heavy-duty resin and aluminum, it is designed to support up to 1000 lbs. and withstand outdoor conditions for years. The Keter Workbench features a spacious work space that offers plenty of room for you to complete your projects.
Cool Woodworking Tools And Gadgets
This category gets you into looking at some fun and cool woodworking gadgets. These are ways to accessorise your workshop with some fun things to play around with.
Contour Duplication Gauge:
The Saker Contour Duplication Gauge is a non-destructive method of copying irregular shapes. The gauge can be used to copy any shape, including inside and outside curves, holes, and sharp corners. The Saker gauge is made from high quality ABS plastic that will not rust or corrode. It has an adjustable locking mechanism that allows you to fine tune the shape for precision accuracy. The gauge comes with its own storage case for easy transportation and storage when
3D Pushblock for Table Saws
The GRR-RIPPER is The Ultimate Push Block solution for table saws, router tables, jointers and band saws. It is designed to improve safety by reducing the risk of kickback while ripping small stock (down to 1/4″ thick). The unique design allows you to rip confidently with your hands close together in front of the blade. You can also use it as a traditional push block when crosscutting or other operations.
Band Clamp:
The POWERTEC 71017 Quick Release Band Clamp with 2-3/8″ Wide x 3/4″ Thick Steel Frame is the perfect tool for securing materials to your workbench. This clamp includes a quick release lever that allows you to easily adjust and remove the band from your work piece. The frame has a width of 2-3/8″, while the band itself measures 3/4″ in thickness. The adjustable band clamp also comes with two steel pins, which can be used to secure longer pieces of material into place.
Air Filtration System:
The WEN 3410 is a Remote Controlled Air Filtration System that allows you to control the amount of air flow and filter life. It’s great for rooms up to 400 sq ft, and it includes a 1 micron filter and 5 micron pre-filter. Both filters are easily replaceable, so you can keep your room clean all year round. The handy timer function automatically shuts off exactly when you want it to.
The tools in this article are all great choices to have in your woodshop. But not every woodshop is created the same. There are some cases where some tools are better for your needs than others.
I wrote an article on setting up the best woodshop in your space. It covers topics like the ideal woodshop layout, and what to do if you have a limited amount of space to work with. Take a look at my article on Easy Woodshop Layouts to get a complete rundown on the best way to set up a woodshop.
Thank you for visiting my article on the best woodworking tools for your woodshop. I hope I gave you some valuable information to help you make your decision. I look forward to seeing you in the next article.
Happy woodworking,
Kevin