Begin your journey into woodworking with these beginner-friendly tools, ideal for those with limited access to power tools. It can be disheartening to come across enticing Pinterest DIY projects that require an abundance of tools, which may not be available to novice woodworkers or DIY enthusiasts.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the wide variety of beginner woodworking tools available, don’t worry about buying a massive collection. Instead, opt for not pursuing the project at all. It’s disappointing! As a DIYer or woodworker who is new to this, I am here to offer guidance and assistance.
Since the beginning, our tool collection has grown gradually, initially relying largely on borrowing from my father-in-law. More recently, whenever a project required a new tool, we have been purchasing additions to our inventory.
To manage expenses, consider purchasing the necessary tools gradually whenever you require them. If you prefer a beginner’s package, these 5 tools will be sufficient for your needs.
Tips for Buying Cordless Tools
To minimize expenses as you diversify your tools, it is advisable to select and remain loyal to a particular brand. Ensuring battery compatibility is crucial. Personally, we have opted for the Ryobi One+ line and are extremely satisfied with it. A notable advantage of Ryobi power tools is that their batteries work seamlessly across all tools. Consequently, you can utilize the same battery for your nail gun as well as your power drill.
Frequently, the tools are not sold with a battery. The battery and charger must be purchased separately. At present, we possess 4 batteries and 3 chargers which serves us satisfactorily! Nevertheless, it is important to remember to charge the battery. Discovering that the battery is dead right when starting a project is likely to be an extremely unpleasant sensation!
Best Woodworking Tools for Beginners
1. Cordless Power Drill / Driver
A reliable drill/driver is essential, and opting for a cordless one is advisable considering the availability of power drills with cords.
The power drill/driver is a crucial tool for initiating DIY projects or introductory woodworking projects at home. It is utilized in nearly every DIY endeavor and various miscellaneous tasks throughout the house, including installing shelves, changing door knobs, and mounting light fixtures.
2. Circular Saw
Circular Saws are crucial for making precise cuts along lengthy, unbroken lines. A blade size of at least 6.5″ is necessary to effectively cut through 2-by materials. We utilize this tool whenever we need to cut large or wide wooden pieces that exceed the capabilities of a Miter Saw.
Determining when to utilize a table saw versus a circular saw can occasionally cause confusion. A useful tip is that if an object exceeds a width of two feet, it is generally more manageable with a circular saw, although this is not an absolute rule.
In order to ensure that your rip cuts remain straight when using a circular saw, it is crucial to have a straight edge.
3. Miter Saw
The perfect tool for accurately cutting board lengths, baseboards, crown molding, etc., is a Miter Saw, which is crucial for cross-cutting lumber. For cutting larger wood pieces with a smaller blade, a sliding model is highly recommended. We make use of this whenever we need to cut wood that is less than 12″ wide.
If you’re cutting longer molding or lumbar with a miter saw, it can be challenging to accurately align your cuts without providing support for the entire length of the wood. In addition to a miter saw, it is highly recommended to acquire one or two mobile wood stands to provide support for the material being cut.
4. Palm Sander
If power tools are used on wood, it results in uneven cuts and splinters. To address this, it is necessary to have a high-quality sander to achieve a smooth finish.
Palm sanders offer exceptional versatility, making them an excellent choice. It is important to sand in the direction of the wood grain while using a palm sander. However, with an orbital sander, you have the freedom to sand however you prefer.
It is recommended to purchase a range of sandpaper grits along with your sander. Grit refers to the roughness of the sandpaper, with lower numbers indicating a coarser texture. Common grits, ranging from coarsest to least coarse, include 60, 150, 220, and 320 and higher, which make for an excellent beginner’s set.
Once you sand, dust will be spread throughout the area. Often, we prefer to position the wood in an upright position and employ a broom to eliminate the dust. Subsequently, a tack cloth is utilized to remove any remaining dirt. However, regardless of the method chosen, it is crucial to clear away all the dust prior to painting or staining the wood.
5. Jigsaw
Having the flexibility to cut in shapes other than straight lines, jig saws offer a slight level of complexity compared to circular saws. While it is advantageous, it requires practice to become proficient in using it.
A highly beneficial suggestion is to invest in high-quality blades and avoid using blunt ones for precise and clean cuts. While rough cuts for tasks like installing outlet boxes in drywall may not be a major concern, for the final touches on a project, it is vital to use a sharp blade that ensures a clean and accurate cut.
Different materials require specialized jigsaw blades, such as those designed for metal, wood cutting at a high speed, or making intricate finishing cuts through wood. It is essential to carefully select the appropriate blade for your task to prevent damaging materials and breaking blades.
6. Hand Tools
It is essential for novice woodworkers to possess a hammer, hand plane, screwdriver, chisel, and level.
Although having one hammer is enough, it is advisable to possess a variety of screwdrivers and chisels of different sizes for specific projects. Woodwork necessitates obtaining a set of screwdrivers, knives, blades, and chisels in different sizes to ensure the availability of the right tool.
Having a level tool is crucial to ensure the accuracy of your work with the hand plane. As you become more proficient with the equipment, you may consider transitioning to power tools to expedite the completion of tasks.
7. Brad Nailer
If you are looking to replace your hammer for attaching small or intricate wooden pieces, opt for a brad nail gun. This tool shoots slender nails that are perfect for tasks such as cabinetry, moldings, and other precise wood-fastening jobs. For the utmost flexibility and ease of use, consider selecting the cordless Ryobi P320 Airstrike Brad Nailer.
8. Clamps
A clamp is necessary if your woodworking requires extensive sawing as it assists in securely holding the materials in place during cutting or drilling, thereby guaranteeing precision and safe handling.
Irwin quick-grip clamps are our recommended choice for their versatility and ease of use, available in various sizes. With the capacity to securely hold materials up to six inches thick, these clamps are suitable for a wide range of home DIY projects.
9. Speed Square
Although the speed square is not specifically designed for woodworking, it proves useful in achieving precise woodcutting or drilling. This versatile tool combines the functionalities of a try square, combination square, and framing square, allowing for angle determination, precise measurements, marking lines on dimensional lumber, and much more.
10. Table Saw
Why not consider upgrading to a table saw instead of depending on hand saws? It is an efficient tool for achieving precise cuts across various tasks. Although it may be costly, investing in this power tool will greatly enhance the functionality of your workstation. Take a look at a comprehensive guide listing the top table saws available for purchase in 2020.
We suggest the DEWALT DW745 as an excellent choice for your initial table saw, as it is a highly capable and accurate tool equipped with remarkable safety characteristics.
11. Air Compressor
If you have any woodwork tools that rely on pressurized air, an air compressor will be necessary. Power tools like spray guns, nail guns, air sanders, air drills, and air hammers are among those that can be used with air compressors.
Another way to clear dust from your tools and workstation is by utilizing compressed air from the device.
11. Impact Driver
Instead of purchasing a pocket hole drill specifically for drilling different types of holes, including pocket holes, opt for an impact driver instead. These contemporary, portable and lightweight tools possess sufficient power to efficiently drill into any wooden surface. Moreover, they are versatile enough to be employed for fastening tasks of any scale.
Because impact drivers possess greater power and speed, it might require some time to become accustomed to using them. Our suggestion is to opt for the Bosch PS41-2A 12V, as it is not only compact but also provides enhanced precision compared to rival models.
12. Circular Saw
Are circular saws, miter saws, and table cutters necessary? No, as these power saws serve similar purposes.
Table saws are a preferable option if most of your projects require standing in one spot, as they deliver accurate cuts unlike circular saws that can be used as fully portable table saws but lack stability.
Opt for a circular saw if you desire a saw that is suitable for use in any location.
Side notes
Although all the listed equipment is highly valuable in a woodworking area, enhance your productivity by using a versatile woodworking tool. By minimizing the number of gadgets you possess, you can save more money for purchasing materials and undertaking new DIY projects. Additionally, you will reduce both the time and money spent on maintaining and storing equipment.
