So you want to get started woodworking, but you’re not sure where to begin. You’re ready to invest a little bit of money into some of the tools you need. But exactly what are those tools? You want to make sure you’re spending your money wisely. You want to choose the right tools to get you started in this new hobby or even business endeavor. But the process seems a little daunting. You certainly don’t want to blow your resources on tools you could do without for now. If this is your position, be sure to keep reading to discover the top 5 power tools you need to get started woodworking!
1st On The List Of The Top 5 Power Tools– A Drill
The first on the list of the top 5 power tools needed to get started woodworking is a drill. A drill is an extremely important tool for not only the beginner woodworker, but for any woodworker. This is an item that you’ll be reaching for repeatedly.
If you’re a beginner, you likely won’t have all the tools needed to do more complex traditional jointing. Jointing like mortise and tenon joints or dovetail joints require more tools and more advanced skill set.
However for the beginner woodworker, the jointing that you can achieve with a drill is perfectly fine. In some scenarios, it’s even preferred. With a drill you’ll be able to fasten your boards together with screws.
You’ll also be able to achieve a professional finish with the use of dowel rods and glue using a drill. Of course along with the drill, you’ll need various bits to achieve this. For example, adding a Forstner bit allows you to recess holes in the piece of wood without needing an additional power tool.
An additional accessory you can purchase to accompany your drill is a drill jig. This can be beneficial if your budget or resources don’t allow you to have a drill press. The accompanying drill jig can help you to create accurate and repeatable holes. With all these features and versatility, it’s easy to see why the drill is most definitely in the top 5!
Next On The List – A Table Saw
A table saw will prove to be one of the most valuable tools in your arsenal as a woodworker. Most lumber you’ll be working with will need to be cut to size before you can start assembling your project.
Generally, you either won’t be able to purchase the perfect sized piece of wood for your project or you won’t want to. (Buying highly specialized sized boards will really rack up your bill)!
So you’re going to need a way to cut your board. Unless you want to spent a lot of time making unprecise cuts with a hand saw, and possibly making a crooked cut, you’ll need a reliable table saw!
A table saw is going to have a built in fence. This allows you to keep your board in place while making the cut. The most common cuts you’ll make with a table saw is a length wise cut. This essentially rips the board down to the size you need to work with.
Advanced Uses For A Table Saw
The table saw will only become more and more valuable as you advance as a woodworker. If and when you decide to start working with rough cut lumber, the table saw will be necessary to put a sleek straight edge on any board you are working with. (However, this also requires a planer and a jointer which did not make the top 5, so this is a more advanced technique).
But just like the drill, the table saw has additional versatility with the addition of jigs. Using either a purchased or a homemade cross cut sled jig, you can use the table saw to make cross cuts as well. These are cuts you would make perpendicular to the grain of the wood. (More discussion on this in the Miter Saw section).
Another Valuable Tool – A Router
A router is another tool that you might have a hard time doing without even as a beginner woodworker. A router is going to come in handy for any finishing edges your piece may need. You may be thinking – isn’t that where a sander comes in? Well a sander is great (and really necessary as you’ll see when we get to number 5). But the router can give you a more precise finish than the sander.
Even if you only anticipate putting simple edging on your pieces, you’re still going to need a router (if your budget permits). The router will give you the ability to put an evenly trimmed edge on any piece of wood. If only using a sander, you’ll find that the edging may not come out perfectly even on all sides.
In addition, the router is so much more than simply a step up from a sander. The router gives you the ability to put fancy and decorative edging on any piece you’re making. This tool contributes mostly to the look of your final piece. But obviously the goal is to create a polished piece that looks professional.
Trim Router Verses Router Table
It’s important to note that a trim router (the type we’ve been discussing) is different than a router table. A router table is definitely something you’ll want to consider as you get more advanced. This tool allow you more flexibility with the size of the board or finished piece that you are working with. In addition, it requires less hand steadiness to operate.
However, the trim router is not simply the beginner version or an inferior version of a table router. It has its place no matter where you are in your woodworking journey. The trim router will continue to be valuable at any point for finishing work especially!
Adding To The Top 5 Power Tools Needed – A Miter Saw
We already briefly mentioned the miter saw in the table saw section. We discussed some of the limitations of the table saw and the need for a cross cut sled jig in the absence of a miter saw. So let’s look at the benefits of going ahead and adding a miter saw to your tool set.
As we already mentioned, a miter saw is great for making quick cross cuts. A cross cut is basically just a cut that you make through your board that is perpendicular with the grain.
A miter saw is also extremely helpful if you need to make a cut on a certain angle. With the miter saw, you have the ability to set the specific degree that you need your board cut on. This is beneficial any time that you need your board to attach at an angle.
For example, I recently made a high chair. The legs needed to angle outward from their attachment to the seat. The miter saw made this process smooth and easy giving me perfectly angled and matching legs for the high chair. The miter saw will help you achieve the precision and repeatability you need for these types of cuts.
An important note to make is the difference between a regular miter saw and a compound miter saw. While a compound miter saw is preferred, it may not be necessary depending on the type of projects you’re making
The compound miter saw will allow you more range of motion and ability to cut larger boards. The compound miter saw chops down on the piece of wood, but it also slides forward as you’re cutting.
Last But Certainly Not Least – A Sander
We’ve already made mention of the sander when discussing it’s limitations in the router section. But don’t mistake limitations to mean it isn’t valuable because it most certainly is.
A sander is mostly valuable because it’s going to be a major time saver when finishing your piece. Although you’ll still need to do some hand sanding on your final piece, owning an electric sander is going to make your job far less labor intensive when it comes time to do the finish work.
Generally, unless you’re going for a rough finished look, you’ll have quite a bit of sanding involved in the final product.
If your budget allows, it’s best to look for a sander that has some type of dust collection system. Any dust collection system is better than none. But ideally one that has an accompanying vacuum or one that attaches to a vacuum is going to be the best.
Dust collection is very important when using a sander because you definitely don’t want to breathe all those fine particles. This is hard on your respiratory system and lungs. So definitely be mindful when choosing your sander and while operating it!
Top 5 Power Tools To Get Started Woodworking Overview
So to recap, the top 5 power tools that I suggest starting with if you are wanting to get into woodworking are:
- A Drill
- A Table Saw
- A Router
- A Miter Saw
- A Sander
Of course, you’re going to need some basic supplies like a measuring tape, a square, a level, etc. But I wanted to tailor this post specifically to power tools. Power tools are going to be your bigger ticket items when it comes to getting started with this hobby. Hopefully, this gives you an idea of how to spend your dollars wisely. The goal is to get out in the woodshop and start making the magic happen as soon as possible.
Let us know in the comments below if you have anything you would take away or add to this list. Be sure to share on Facebook and pin to your woodworking Pinterest board.
Follow along on YouTube, and be sure to check out some of our other posts on wholesome, self-sufficient, and handcrafted living!
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