Woodworking Tools For Beginners

Woodworking encompasses many different tasks. One carpenter’s necessity may not be of any use to someone else. For someone just starting, these tool selections may be overwhelming.

It doesn’t matter what kind of woodworking you want; there are some fundamental skills involved in all of them. Each task a woodworker needs to perform, such as cutting, drilling, shaping, fastening, measuring, and finishing, requires the proper tools to be done effectively.

We have compiled a list of the most widely used tools for every area, explaining their applications and which are the most important ones. If you’re trying to save money, don’t purchase tools without planning how to take advantage of them. Begin by selecting projects that you take pleasure in, then only get the tools that are relevant to those projects.

Woodworking Tools That Cut

Chopping wood is likely the most fundamental stage of woodworking. If you’re constructing furniture or wall decorations, it’s essential for every woodworker to cut pieces of wood going both parallel and perpendicular to the grain. This is known as ripping and crosscutting, respectively.

Today’s technology enables electric power tools to make cuts with amazing velocity and accuracy; however, almost all wood cutting can be accomplished manually. Even to this day, the most precise and intricate cuts are most accurately made using a high-quality hand saw.

Table saw

A table saw is a very practical and useful tool that can be used to cut materials in a variety of directions, making it the cornerstone of a lot of workshops. Due to its broad, level tabletop, this is also perfect for slicing extensive bits of level stock such as plywood. You might want to try a portable job site table saw before buying a full-scale one since it usually is more economical for those with a do-it-yourself attitude.

Miter saw

A miter saw is a special instrument used for making rapid and precise crosscuts that can easily be replicated. If you normally deal with trim that is 6 inches or less in width, a miter saw will assist you in saving a great deal of time.

Miter box

If you don’t believe you will use a miter saw often enough to warrant buying one, you might opt for a miter box instead. Essentially, it is a hand-operated miter saw with a plastic or wooden framework and rails that enable a manual saw to be guided at set angles. Miter boxes enable fairly speedy cuts for an incredibly low cost.

Jigsaw

A jigsaw is ideal for making curved and round shapes on a wood surface. When starting out, some people may be scared off by the “noise” of vibrations happening quickly. With some practice and perseverance, having a jigsaw on hand is an extremely useful asset for any woodworker.

Coping saw

A coping saw that has a small blade is ideal for work that needs to be very precise, like coping joints (which is also why it carries that name), and is also suitable for cutting refined curves and dovetailing.

Band saw

A band saw has a blade that runs vertically which is used to cut through materials, dividing them in half and creating curved shapes. The band saw, due to its size, remains stationary while the woodworker rearranges the material that needs to be cut. A band saw would be better than using a table saw twice if you need to cut a 2×6 piece of wood into two 1x6s.

Scroll saw

A scroll saw is a reduced-size adaptation of a band saw. A scroll saw is made for finer, more intricate work on the smaller pieces of material due to its restricted opening. When you are doing meticulous work with thinly cut wood, it works incredibly well.

Circular saw

A circular saw is mainly a saw used by carpenters. However, it can also be beneficial to have one in the arsenal of a woodworker. If you don’t cut wood very often, it is usually smarter to utilize a circular saw than take up extra space and spend money on a table saw.

Woodworking Tools That Drill

Drilling is an indispensable part of woodworking, for both making pilot holes for nails and screws and for joining pieces with dowels. Your tool choices include:

Cordless drill/driver

A few decades back, owning a cordless drill was considered a luxurious item for someone in the woodworking profession. Given the abundance of economical choices available, purchasing a product has become essential. A lot of woodworkers have one drill/driver that they use for drilling and screwing.

Drill press

Certain openings require an exactness that cannot be replicated without a powered drill. In those cases, a drill press can produce identical and precise boreholes.

Hand drill

A hand drill has become a specialized tool. Nevertheless, its accuracy and capacity to bore into small intervals can be of great benefit while managing thin or valuable substances.

Hole saws, spade bits, Forstners, and other specialty bits

The drill is not the only factor to consider when drilling holes. Many woodworking hobbyists accumulate a selection of hole saws, spade drill pieces, step drill pieces, Forstner bits, and other special styles of bits.

Rather than purchasing a variety of items all at once, it is usually wiser to get these things as you need them. Believe us, it won’t be long before you discover an unexpected variety of items.

Woodworking Tools That Shape

All kinds of tools can shape wood. Shaping can happen early or late in the project. For wood carving and wood turning, the focus of the work is the project.

These woodworking tools shape.

Hand plane

This basic apparatus has been around for many years, and it remains one of the most successful to this day. A hand plane that is properly maintained and accurately adjusted can quickly remove material or slice it into extremely slim layers. These come in lots of sizes and styles. The Stanley 6-inch block plane is a great introductory tool for rookie woodworkers.

Orbital sander

Using an orbital sander facilitates making a wooden surface even or concealing undesirable cut lines.

Belt sander

A belt sander can remove material extremely quickly. You have to be cautious when using this forceful instrument so you don’t overdraw it.

Planer

A planer helps to make boards thinner and keep them all the same thickness. Using rough lumber is a fantastic way to lower costs. A planner is used to ensure that opposite sides of something are aligned and level with each other.

Jointer

Sometimes a jointer is used together with a planer. A jointer is used to shape the length and edge of the timber, forming a sharp, perfect corner. Putting pieces of lumber next to each other—like for a tabletop, for instance—a jointer will guarantee that the boards fit together comfortably.

Sandpaper

Sandpaper can be thought of as a consumable material rather than a tool, as it gets worn out and needs to be replaced. It was absolutely necessary to have it in the carpentry workshop, which is why we placed it here.

Sandpaper is particularly helpful for intricate jobs or surfaces with contours. Once the abrasive quality is gone, don’t wait to get rid of it. Remember the common DIY adage: “Time is limited, so don’t be afraid to use abrasives liberally.”

Measurement Tools

It is now necessary to analyze each element on its own. We should begin by discussing the most vital resource available to us: the gauging equipment. Without the correct measurements, all of the pieces you are cutting would be based on guesswork. That is the fastest way to a project that does not function properly.

Tape Measurers

No woodworker is without one of these. It doesn’t matter if someone doesn’t do any kind of woodworking. They should still have a tape measurer stored in their home. They are among the simplest, most adaptable equipment you can possess.

Although various styles of tape measurers exist, the four primary varieties include flexible-reel tapes, retractable steel tapes, folding rules, and yardsticks or rigid straight edges.

Retractable Steel Tapes are definitely the most widely used measuring tapes available in the market today. They come in compact sizes of less than 10 feet but are usually available in sizes ranging from 12 to 30 feet.
When it comes to measuring tapes, there are many options available on the market. One popular type is Retractable Steel Tape, which is great for smaller projects and comes in sizes ranging from 12 to 30 feet. However, for larger spaces and projects, you may want to consider Flexible Reel Tapes, which come in steel or fabric and can have lengths well over 100 feet. While these may not be necessary for beginners, they can be a valuable tool for more complex projects.
When it comes to measuring, precision is key. That’s why rulers that measure down to millimeters are essential for any serious woodworker. Some rulers even fold into multiple sections, making them easier to store and use. Straight edges and yardsticks are great for quick measurements or laying a straight line, but for regular woodworking, it’s best to invest in a more precise measuring tool.

Squares

While your tape measure will be very helpful in your woodworking, it will be almost impossible for you to make a high-quality piece if you do not have a range of squares available.

Having good skills in geometry enables one to both develop and validate numerous perspectives. In general, squares have demarcations etched into them which allows them to serve both as a measuring device and as a tool. Here are some of the necessary squares.

Try Squares. These little guys are smaller and designed for right-hand use, making them perfect for quickly checking the squareness of your work. Give them a shot and see how they can improve your accuracy!
I’ve been looking into framing squares lately, and they are the go-to tool for any larger projects. They’re the kind of square you’d find at a hardware or home improvement store and are perfect for working on bigger pieces. They’re definitely a must-have for any DIY enthusiast or professional carpenter out there.
Combination Squares. These are great for not only checking how precise an angle is but also distances. Think of this as an all-in-one tool.
Speed Squares. The more experienced woodworkers out there likely have a speed square or two. These are great for when you need to quickly check 45- and 90-degree angles. Check out our guide on how to use a speed square for more info.
Miter Squares. As the name suggests, these are best for setting any angle miter cuts that you may be performing.
Bevel Squares. The bevel square lets you transfer patterns, but what is cool about it’s that it lets you recreate an existing angle. A little more complex but a cool tool to have in your arsenal, no less.
There are also compasses, depth gauges, and dividers, but those aren’t really in either category. They are both invaluable and simple to use and kind of straddle the line between rules and measuring tapes. Having a wider array of measurement tools means being able to do more complex projects as you learn and grow your skillset.

The Hammer

There is no single hammer that is considered absolutely “universal,” though the claw hammer is quite possibly the closest to meeting all needs. It should be noted there are a substantial amount of different claw hammers one can select. As a rule, woodworking hammers are needed to pry and pound.

Design

A few elements may play a role in how efficiently they will complete their task. The first is the face weight and size. Some heads are smoother, like finishing hammers. Faces on some tools are notched, allowing them to be used to hold onto nails and other fittings.

The shape and size of the claws are very important. The claws on a finishing hammer are more prominent than those on a framing hammer, whose edges are straight for splitting apart objects. It is essential to have a comfortable grip when working with a hammer; therefore, it is essential that the handle is designed in a way that allows you to keep a firm hold. Beginner golfers should select either composite or wooden club handles, as they are better at absorbing impacts.

Finally, there is the weight to consider. Weighing between 8 and 10 ounces, your lightweight hammers are the lightest; those in the 16-20 ounce range are intermediate hammers, and the heaviest hammers weigh between 24 and 32 ounces.

Purpose

The intent of using a hammer is just as important as its material makeup. It is imperative for those just starting out to consider what purpose the hammer will serve before selecting one. Grab one of the all-purpose finishing hammers without delay.

If you’re looking for something sturdier and tougher, it could be too much for a lot of typical woodworking projects. Tack hammers are perfect for minor tasks and come in various head sizes that don’t have claws. Suitable for when a slight touch is all that is needed, without being too much.