It can be difficult to choose the most important essential tools for woodworking and carpentry projects, given the wide variety available, when aiming for precise cuts, intricate carving, or furniture assembly.
Starting woodworking requires only a few tools such as a hand saw, tape measure, pencil, masking tape, drill, and sandpaper. As you gain experience, you can expand your collection with heavier tools like a circular saw and orbital sander to finish more complex projects.
From classic hand tools and power tools to essential safety equipment, this guide will present the necessary woodworking tools to assist you in creating the ultimate workshop.
Woodworking tools list
1. The claw hammer
Beginning with the most fundamental tool found in every household, let’s consider the claw hammer. The rounded finished head should be adequately balanced by the claw located on one side of the head.
The waffle head is another type of head commonly utilized in construction that creates a unique waffle mark on the wood upon driving the nail. However, it is important to note that this type of nail is not suitable for woodworking purposes.
The 20 oz. size is the most frequently bought claw hammer, as it is both weighty enough for driving nails and manageable for pulling them. Although wooden handles are visually appealing, they might not endure the pressure of extracting numerous nails. Hammers constructed with a steel or fiberglass handle, however, will possess greater strength.
However, a hickory handle is better than these materials at absorbing vibrations from driving nails. Additionally, you must make sure that fiberglass and metal handles have a rubberized grip for control and comfort. Moreover, if you are driving a large number of nails, the wooden handled hammer is more effective at reducing stress on your hand and wrist.
2. The tape measure
The woodworker should prioritize obtaining an accurate tape measure as the next important hand tool. It is recommended to choose a retractable one with a minimum length of 25 feet, as any longer can lead to difficulties in rolling it back up.
To ensure accurate measurements on large-scale projects, it is important to securely attach the “hook” or tab at the end without any looseness. Even the smallest variations in measurements can have a significant impact, with up to 1/8″ variation possible when they become loose. Over time, this can result in serious accuracy issues.
3. The utility knife
Another valuable tool for woodworkers is a reliable utility knife. Though there are various types available, the most commonly used one is the type that utilizes disposable blades. To ensure safety, the blade can be easily retracted into the grip. Woodworkers rely on utility knives for a multitude of tasks, such as cleaning out mortise joints or scribing wood, among many others.
4. The moisture meter
It is crucial to have a reliable wood moisture meter for the successful outcome of any woodworking project. Lumber mills aim to dry their lumber batches based on where the wood will be used. For instance, if the wood is sourced from the wet Northeast but will be sent to the dry Southwest, it will undergo more drying compared to wood that is stored in the Northeast for woodworking purposes.
The correct moisture content levels of the woods you use for your specific region are crucial for the success of various woodworking projects, including wood flooring, kitchen cabinets, and fine furniture.
Certain moisture meters come with pins that go into the wood’s surface, which can cause small holes that damage the surface and need to be filled. On the other hand, there are pin-less moisture meters that use sensing plates to scan the wood beneath.
Not all pinless moisture meters are equal – make sure to find one that employs technology that remains unaffected by the moisture on the wood’s surface, like Wagner moisture meters equipped with IntelliSense™ technology.
5. The chisel
Every workbench should have a variety of chisels. Chisels serve a purpose beyond woodcarving and are essential for any woodworker to remove debris from joints and saw cuts. It is advisable to search for chisels crafted from high-alloy carbon steel or chromium-vanadium alloyed steel.
Hardwood grips, especially those with metal caps, are the optimal choice as they prevent the handle’s end from getting deformed when subjected to hammering.
To cover all bases, make sure you have different sizes of chisels ranging from ¼” to at least 1½” in ¼” increments. Smaller chisels are ideal for mortise work, while the ¾” and 1” ones are great for door hinges. For chipping out, the 1½” chisel works well. Additionally, you can opt for a corner chisel that can cut a notch in wood by striking it with a hammer, similar to a hole punch.
The majority of chisels have bevels on both sides and the cutting edge, however, certain specialty chisels may only have a bevel at the cutting edge. This bevel will be positioned at an angle of 20 to 25 degrees along the length of one side of the blade, while the opposite side will remain flat. The length of the blade will typically range from 4 to 7 inches.
6. The level
When it comes to woodworking, it is essential for every woodworker to have a few levels. While a 6-foot level typically used in construction may not be necessary, a 48″ level is suitable for most woodworking projects you undertake. Additionally, an 8″ level, commonly referred to as a torpedo level, is often required. These levels will help you ensure that your constructions are both level, which means horizontal, and plumb, which means vertical.
7. The screwdriver
Screwdrivers are an essential part of a woodworker’s collection of hand tools. The importance of having high-quality construction cannot be underestimated when it comes to a set of screwdrivers.
Many of these tools are constructed from a gentle metal, and when you apply force for the first time, they easily become ineffective. To effectively tackle the task, you require a robust, heavy-duty long screwdriver with a square blade that offers high torque. Additionally, you will need both a small and medium slot screwdriver.
In order to work on cabinets or in tight spaces during woodworking, it is necessary to have a screwdriver with a slender shank that can access screws within deep holes. This can be achieved by using a cabinet screwdriver. It is advisable to acquire a few Phillips head screwdrivers of medium size, as well as a stubby one for maneuvering in cramped areas. Additionally, it may be useful to have a ratcheting screwdriver.
8. Wood glue
Wood glue of good quality is an essential component in many workshops as it is commonly utilized to connect boards before cutting. Versatile wood adhesives are highly suitable for woodworking tasks, furniture restoration, and carpentry projects that will not be subjected to outdoor conditions. For outdoor carpentry endeavors, there are water-resistant wood glues accessible.
9. Mineral spirits
Mineral spirits are utilized in a workshop for a variety of purposes, such as eliminating paint and cleansing wood surfaces. They are frequently employed to remove dirt, polish, wax, dust, and oil from wood. However, it is crucial to exercise caution when handling mineral spirits due to their flammability and potential to pose a fire hazard.
10. Sawhorses
It is advisable to purchase a minimum of two sawhorses for your workshop, as they are typically used in pairs to secure wood boards for cutting or painting.
11. Clamps
Having a diverse selection of clamps is crucial in your workshop as they are frequently utilized to secure wooden pieces while the glue sets. Due to the various types and sizes available, it is important to have a good assortment to ensure you can always find the appropriate clamp for any task.
12. Hearing protection
If you use certain power tools, such as a table saw, for a prolonged period of time, they can produce loud noises that can harm your hearing. To prevent this, you can use either earplugs or earmuffs which are cost-effective and will protect your hearing over time. This guide provides further information on the distinctions between these two types of hearing protection.
13. Dust mask
When working in your shop for a long time, sawdust and various chemicals have the potential to cause significant harm to your lungs. By using a dust mask, you can protect yourself from the risks associated with dangerous substances. It is essential to ensure that your work area is adequately ventilated, particularly when handling paint thinner or other chemicals.
14. Square
When working on various projects, a square is a useful instrument for creating straight lines and determining angles. It is advisable to acquire multiple squares in different sizes to simplify the process of taking measurements.
15. Pencil
Carpenter’s wooden pencils are suitable for making notes and transferring measurements or cut lines to material due to their wide, flat bodies that can be sharpened multiple times to restore the graphite tip.
16. Steel rule or folding rule
To achieve precise measurements and convenient storage, rules and straight edges are employed, enabling folding into multiple sections as needed. When it comes to woodworking and machining, a non-skid steel ruler is often preferred over a measuring tape or a folding rule due to its ability to offer a more accurate straight line.
17. Table saw
The power tool commonly found in workshops is known as a table saw. Also referred to as contractor saws, these saws are utilized for creating accurate straight or angled cuts. They are equipped with a rotating circular blade mounted beneath a table, which aids in providing support to the workpiece during the cutting process.
18. Circular saw
Circular saws are equipped with a blade that has a rounded shape and rotates in order to accurately create straight, cross, and beveled cuts in various substances, including wood. The size of circular blades typically ranges from 3-3/8 inches to approximately 11 inches in diameter for basic cutting purposes.
General-purpose circular saws are equipped with blades on either the left or right side, depending on the user’s dominant hand. Additionally, they possess higher revolutions per minute (RPM) and lower torque compared to metal-cutting circular saws, as their primary purpose is to effectively cut wood.
19. Miter saw
Miter saws possess similarities with circular saws, as they have the ability to make straight, angled, and beveled cuts either parallel or contrary to the wood grain. Miter saws are equipped with a compact table and a descending blade for cutting, which can be adjusted to simultaneously make vertical and beveled cuts. The diameter of the miter saw blades varies from 7-1/4 to 12 inches.
20. Jigsaw
When there is a need to make curved cuts, a jigsaw is considered to be one of the most effective tools. Jigsaws possess a blade that is capable of moving vertically to create curved or straight cuts in wood, walls, ceilings, and floors. Furthermore, the thin and straight blade enables you to accurately connect corners in a more convenient manner compared to other saws.
21. Drill and driver combo
Corded and cordless power drills are frequently used in woodworking tasks because they can accommodate various attachments such as sanders and rounding bits, not just for hole-making purposes. A combination kit of a cordless drill and driver can be useful as it allows for both hole-making and fastener screwing applications.
22. Lathe
A lathe is a necessary tool for wood turning that assists in creating chair legs, bowls, and spindles. In this process, wooden pieces are rotated rapidly and then molded with the aid of specialized chisels and gouges.
23. Sanders
Woodworkers commonly utilize two types of sanders: a sheet sander or a random orbit sander. The square shape of the sheet sander enables it to conveniently reach tight corners and edges. Typically, it is employed for gentle sanding, paint removal, or surface preparation purposes.
Random orbit sanders are equipped with a circular sanding surface and adjustable speed settings, enabling greater control and reducing visible grain scratches. Due to their ability to remove a larger amount of material, random orbit sanders are commonly chosen for the task of refinishing wooden floors and cabinetry.
