If you’re new to woodworking or want to get into the amazing world of woodworking, you’re probably wondering what tools you should get! In this article we will discuss answers to that very question so you can make more informed and intelligent decisions before you pull your wallet out and make tool purchases.
Introduction to Woodworking Tools
There are tons of woodworking tools available to purchase that can help you build the project of your choice! There’s handheld tools like manual drills, chisels, scratch awls, clamps, screwdrivers, hammers, mallets, measuring tools, cutting tools like saws, pliers, wrenches, socket wrenches, and sanding blocks for finishing. Consideration will also need to be given regarding the types of joining you’ll want to use for your project such as wood glue, screws, nails, nuts and bolts, and rivets.
Then there’s the power tools: routers, sanders, drills (portable and stationary), miter saws and compound miter saws, table saws, lathes, jointer/planers, scroll saws, and much, MUCH more! Then there’s the homemade kind of woodworking tools where you’d make your own homemade jigs to accomplish a specific task (lookup woodworking jigs on the Internet to see the huge variety of jigs that can be made). If you’re going to use power tools a broom and dustpan won’t be enough to clean up the mess – be sure to add a good shop vacuum (to start with) to your tools list so you can keep your work area clean and safe.
One thing is probably for sure – you’re on a budget so you definitely can’t just go out and buy every tool out there! And that’s not even considering the space you have to work in as well as the electrical requirements for the electric tools. For example, I had a 220 volt jointer/planer a few years back and had to re-route a 220 line from my laundry area that wasn’t being used for our water heater, just so that tool could have the power it needed. As you can see, there are a ton of considerations in determining tools to purchase!
First Things First: What Project Do You Want to Build?
The first question you will want to ask yourself is “What am I going to build?” Once you have a project in mind, you can gather a tools and materials list for that project. Many commercial woodworking plans will give you that information so you know exactly what you need to build it. However, if you’re going to make the plans yourself (which is a challenge in itself and will be the topic for another article), you will need to determine every aspect of every need. You’ll honestly want to wait until you’re much more experienced before making your own plans!
After you have your materials and tools needed list for your new project, cross off the tools list any tools that you currently own. You could also consider borrowing tools from someone you know in the interest of saving some money in the short-term, especially if the tool is a one-time use tool and you won’t be using it for any other projects that you could see. Another possibility is renting a tool from your local tool rental place – this could also be a potential cost savings, and again for those tools you’ll probably only use for this project and not any other projects.
Other Woodworking Tool Considerations
If you’re somewhat familiar with the types of projects that you’d like to build in the future and know you don’t have certain tools to create those projects, you could watch for sales on those tools. Places like Ace Hardware, Home Depot, and Lowes run regular sales, especially when tool manufacturers run promotions. That’s the BEST time to get a new tool – recently I purchased some Ryobi 18V tools with batteries on a promotion and save nearly 50% off the retail price!
If you’re on a tight budget, you could go to a Harbor Freight store and see what deals they have on the tools you would want to purchase. After being an online store for years and years, local stores have been popping up all over the US for several years now. Keep in mind that a lot of the inventory at Harbor Freight is from less than well-known manufacturers and you’ll want to know the type of quality (look at online reviews for this) and what kind of warranty is on those tools. You will probably find some very good tools for very good prices, but be wary of the downside of cheap tools when you go shopping.
Conclusion
I strongly recommend following the general advice in this article for your best and most efficient use of funds for tools. Start out only with the tools you need for the project at hand, borrow or rent expensive tools and/or tools that you’ll only use for one or two projects, search for sales on the tools you need (don’t be in a hurry to purchase them), and be sure you have the space and other resources needed for the tools you decide to purchase. Oh yeah – one more thing – it’s a good idea to have the blessing of your significant other!!
Lastly, safety is always first. Be sure your work area is well-lit – LED shop lights are amazing for this task. Get good pairs of goggles and safety glasses as well as work gloves. I would also recommend a tool belt to wear so you’re not tripping over everything getting to the tool you need, and you will remember where you put that tool when you used it last. Also get a first aid kit in case of minor injury.