Essential Woodworking Tools | Hand Tools, Power Tools and Machine Tools

Woodworking is one of those crafts that you might take up as a hobby or as a serious profession. Irrespective of the reason, woodworking and carpentry has always been a part of our lives for a long time to make beautiful furniture or art. Just like any other profession, tools are an essential part of woodworking and the saying “there is a right tool for the right job” is perfectly applicable here. Over time, the complexity of the woodworking tools might have increased but the basic woodworking skills and technique is still the same. If you are planning to setup your own shop, then there are some essential woodworking tools that you have to consider to start your shop.

In this guide, let us take a look at some of the basic and essential woodworking tools that will definitely help you with starting your workshop. You don’t have to purchase all the tools at the beginning but start with some essential tools and slowly allocate some budget over time to add the tools to your collection.

As far as the list goes, these tools are in no particular order or preference but it is very essential to have them around if you want a professional setup.

Hand Tools
- 1. Chisel
- 2. Hammer
- 3. Hand Saw
- 4. Screwdriver

Hand-Held Power Tools
- 1. Drill
- 2. Circular Saw
- 3. Orbital Sander
Some Other Things to onsider
- 1. Dust Collector
- 2. Jointer
- 3. Router

Conclusion

Hand Tools

1. Chisel

Let us start the list with one of the basic tools in the world of woodworking: the Chisel. It is a sharp angled piece of steel with a handle for carving or cutting wood. There are different shapes, sizes and styles of chisels but at minimum, you need four or more different chisels at your disposal. Good thing is that you can get a chisel set for about $50 but the important thing about chisels in general is that no matter its price, it must be sharp.

2. Hammer

You probably own a hammer and for some reason if you don’t, then go ahead and buy a hammer right now. It is one of the most commonly used hand tools and is a must have tool for every household. There are different types of hammers but a Claw Hammer is the one for woodworking and carpentry. You can drive nails into wood or pull them out with a claw hammer. A good claw hammer will cost you less than $15.

3. Hand Saw

Even with the wide availability of machine saws, a hand saw is a very useful tool for cutting wood, plastic, drywall etc. You can quickly take a hand saw and make the necessary cuts rather than setting up a table saw. A good handsaw will last for many years with very less maintenance. You have to spend anywhere between $10 to $15 for a decent hand saw.

4. Screwdriver

Another essential tool that is a must have for every household, woodworking, electrical, automobile shop is a screwdriver. Flat head, Phillips and Torx are some of the commonly used screwdriver types. They come in different sizes and lengths. You can have a set of screwdrivers with multiple sizes for each type. Screwdriver sets are very cheap and you can get one for around $40.

Hand-Held Power Tools

1. Drill

2. Circular Saw

While a hand saw is useful for quick and small jobs, a decent Circular Saw can be very helpful. You can cut a variety of materials such as wood, plastic, metal and many more with precise and clean cuts. Depending on the brand and power, circular saw can cost you anywhere between $60 and $200.

3. Orbital Sander

A Random Orbital Sander will help you in smoothing a wooden surface by sanding it with a sandpaper. Apart from sanding, they can also be used for polishing and also to remove paint. Corded sanders from reputed brands will be cheaper, around $60 to $100. But if you go for cordless option, then you have to spend upward of $120.

Some Other Things to Consider

1. Dust Collector

Woodworking is one of those professions where you deal with a lot of fine dust. When you are cutting, sanding, chipping or sawing any wood, dust is bound to fly around. While a nose mask comes handy, continuously wearing one for a long time makes you uncomfortable and uneasy. So, we recommend you to install a dust collector in your shop when you find the budget.

2. Jointer

A jointer is a large planer. At the beginning stages of your workshop, you can manage with a small benchtop planer but if your workload increases and you work on larger projects, then it is better to invest in a jointer.

3. Router

Conclusion

If you are into woodworking and carpentry, then there are a lot of tools for different kinds of jobs. Purchasing all the tools at once isn’t financially a practical solution for most shop owners or for those who are setting up a shop for the first time. To help you out, we listed some of the essential woodworking tools that you can consider while starting a shop. Depending on your work and budget, you can purchase some of these essential tools the beginning and as you slowly gain momentum (both in terms of work and finance), you can add more tools for you to work with.

source:https://www.electronicshub.org/essential-woodworking-tools/