The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Woodworking Tools

Woodworking beginners can find it hard to buy tools. Without a clear understanding of different tool types and brands, you can easily buy the wrong tools for your bench.

Fortunately, we’re here to help. Read our beginner’s guide to carpenter tools to learn what exactly woodworking tools are, important factors to consider before investing in woodworking tools, and the best beginner woodworking tools to start with.

What Exactly Are Woodworking Tools?

As the name suggests, woodworking tools are power tools for woodworking applications, such as sawing and carpentry. There are many types and subtypes of woodworking tools, including:

• Saws, including table saws, jig saws, band saws, and compound miter saws
• Sanders, such as manual sanders, sheet sanders, belt sanders, and spindle sanders
• Routers, including fixed base routers and plunge routers
• Lathes
• Planers
• Wood jointers
• Dust collectors and air filters
• Oscillating multi-tools
• Right angle clamps
• Thickness planers
• Nail guns
• Drill presses
• Rotary tools, like drills
• Fastening tools, including clamps and vises
• Hand tools, like hammers and rulers
• Cutting tools, like chisels, files, and jigs
• Woodworking tool accessories, such as router bits, bench and stationary accessories, and planer blades

Important Factors to Consider Before Investing in Tools for Woodworking

As you can see, woodworking tools come in many shapes and sizes. Consider the following factors to avoid buying the wrong tool:

The Size of Your Woodworking Shop

First, look at the size of your woodworking shop. If you have limited space for storing tools, pick compact tools with multiple functions, such as oscillating multi-tools.

Also known as oscillating tools and multi-tools, oscillating multi-tools are some of the most flexible and portable power tools ever created. Small yet powerful, oscillating tools can accept various interchangeable blades for polishing, sanding, grinding, scraping, and cutting. They can slice through almost any material, including wood, cement, metal, drywall, plastic, and mortar.

The Scope of Your Carpentry Projects

As a general rule of thumb, the smaller the scope of your projects, the fewer tools you’ll need. For instance, if you want to start a do-it-yourself (DIY) furniture project, you’ll need:

• Safety gear, including an apron, safety glasses, earplugs, and a respirator
• A tape measure
• A drill
• A hand saw, if you’re planning to cut wood pieces
• Screws or nails
• A sander
• A hammer

If, instead, you’re looking to build a deck from scratch, you’ll need more tools. In addition to many of the items on the above list, you’ll need:

• A table saw for cutting boards to their required width
• A nail gun
• A jigsaw for cutting in tight spots
• An oscillating saw for hard-to-reach areas
• A reciprocating saw for finishing cuts on six-by-six posts

Your Level of Expertise and Goals

You also need to consider your level of expertise and goals. 

If you have little to no experience using woodworking tools, get the following user-friendly tools:

• An oscillating multi-tool: One of the best tools for beginners, oscillating multi-tools vibrate at very high speeds, making them safer and easier to use than jigsaws, circular saws, and reciprocating saws.
• A jigsaw: Also known as saber saws, jigsaws have a saber-like reciprocating blade. DIYers can use them to make intricate cuts that can be curved, straight, or serpentine.
• A circular saw: These saws have an abrasive or toothed blade or disc to cut different materials. They’re perfect for making straight cuts in lumber.

If you have a bit more experience, consider getting the following:

• A table saw: As the name suggests, these saws consist of a circular saw blade mounted on a table. They’re designed to save time, improve accuracy, and reduce the effort required to make straight cuts. Although they seem beginner-friendly, table saws can be dangerous for DIYers with limited experience. Serious woodworking accidents can happen if you hit the on switch without paying attention to your surroundings. 

• A sander: Sanders are relatively easy to use, but some models can skin your knuckles if you’re not careful. Certain models also create significant amounts of wood dust. People exposed to wood dust may experience adverse health effects, such as allergies, eye and skin irritation, nasal cancer, reduced lung function, and asthma. To avoid these issues, make sure you pick a suitable model. You should also use a dust extraction system and choose a less dusty wood type.

The Speed, Power, and Longevity of the Tools

Unfortunately, not every tool is made equal. Some are faster and more powerful and last longer than others. 

Here are the specs you should look at to determine speed, power, and longevity:

Parameter	Ratings and features to look for
Speed	Revolutions per minute (RPM) or oscillations per minute (OPM)
Power	Inch-pound (in-lbs.) for wrenches and drillsAmperage (A), watts (W), or volts (V) for all electronic hand tools
Longevity	Tool Housings:Tool housings should:Look and feel greatReduce vibrationAbsorb shock from dropsHold parts firmly in positionPlastic tool housings should be flexible. If they’re not flexible enough, they’ll crack and break when dropped. Look at PA numbers on plastic parts to determine flexibility — PA-6 is a good tool rating.Motors:Durable tools should have tough, brushless motors that run cool. Unlike brushed motors, brushless motors use magnets instead of brushes to generate electricity, resulting in less friction and heat.

Customer Reviews

To get the best bang for your buck, look at all of the reviews, photos, and videos to determine whether each tool is a good fit.

If the average rating is less than four stars, chances are it’s not the best choice. The number of reviews also matters. Products with fewer than 20 reviews are less likely to inspire confidence because they haven’t been tried by enough people.

The Current Price Ranges and Your Budget

Finally, you need to consider the current price range for each tool as well as your budget. 

If you’re trying to save money, buy tools from cost-effective brands like Ryobi, BLACK+DECKER, and Makita. These brands have a wide range of tools, from sanders and table saws to drills and jigsaws. But don’t limit yourself unnecessarily — high-end brands may also have budget-friendly offerings. Milwaukee sanders, for instance, are relatively inexpensive.

On the other hand, if you have the budget for it, you can get your tools from the higher-end brands. Compared with their more cost-effective cousins, Milwaukee and DeWalt tools last longer and are often more powerful. They’re also targeted toward professionals, making them a great pick for heavy-duty applications like deck building.

The Essential Tools for Beginner Woodworkers

Now that you know what to look for in power tools, let’s dive into the most popular types of tools for beginner woodworkers. 

A Quality Workbench

Before you get any power tools, you must have a sturdy and reliable workbench. Otherwise, you won’t have a strong foundation for sawing, sanding, and other activities, leading to mediocre results and possibly even injuries.

Here’s what to look for when choosing the best workbench for your needs:

Benchtop Size

Benchtops vary greatly in terms of height, width, and weight capacity.

Height. Workbench heights usually range from 25″ to 50″. Pick a bench that fits your comfort level — you don’t want a bench that requires you to crouch or bend while you’re working on projects or you could hurt your back. 

Width. Most workbenches range from 24″ to 120″ in width. The best benchtop size for you will depend on the size of your work area. Remember that bigger isn’t always better — getting an 80″ bench doesn’t make much sense if a 25″ bench is all you need for cutting small pieces of wood. But, if you need a large, balanced surface for cutting long pieces of wood, you’ll want a benchtop that’s at least 72″ wide. 

Weight capacity. Workbench weight capacities range from 150 lbs. to 3,000 lbs. Make sure you pick a bench that can handle the weight of your materials and tools. For instance, if you’re going to be sawing and drilling long and heavy wood planks, you should get a workbench with a weight capacity of at least 500 lbs. 

Benchtop Material

Benchtops can be made from several different materials, including:

• Plastic: Lightweight and compact, plastic benchtops are great for light assembly projects. Most plastic benchtops have laminate covers to protect the plastic structure.
• Wood: Wood benchtops are strong and can withstand all tool types. They’re also resistant to heat, unlike their plastic cousins. You can use them for all kinds of woodworking projects.
• Steel: Steel is the most durable benchtop material. DIYers and professionals typically use them for heavy-duty projects.

Features

The best workbenches have features that make your work easier in one way or another. Common examples include:

• Rubberized leg stands: These keep the bench firmly in place, increasing stability and reducing the likelihood of accidents. 
• Wheels: Most workbenches are stationary, but some have wheels for portability.
• Cabinets and drawers: Workbenches often have storage compartments that provide quick access to tools. You can also use these compartments to organize your toolset.
• Adjustable height: If you need multiple workbench heights for your projects, get an adjustable one. That way, you can just change the height as needed.

Power Tools

Once you’ve picked a suitable workbench, the next step is to get the right power tools. Here are some that you’ll likely need to have in your wood shop:

Capable Drill

One of the most ubiquitous woodworking power tools is the drill. Meant for driving fasteners and making round holes, drills can be cordless or corded and come in various sizes and types.

Cordless vs. Corded Drills

Cordless drills are highly mobile, making them a great pick for projects in tight spaces. However, cordless tools tend to be heavier than their corded equivalents because of the battery. They also need regular charging.

In contrast, corded tools have to be plugged in when you want to use them. This makes them less portable and harder to use in tight corners. If your work area is far from a power outlet, you may need an extension cable to use a corded drill. On the plus side, corded drills are typically lighter and more powerful than cordless models.

Drill Sizes

Cordless and corded drills are available in 1/2″, 1/4″, and 3/8″ sizes. These measurements refer to the size of the part that holds the bit — the chuck — and indicate the largest bit shank for the drill.

A 1/2″ drill is best for heavy-duty applications, whereas a 1/4″ drill is enough for lighter tasks. A 3/8″ drill can accept a range of bits, so it’s suitable for common household tasks.

Types of Drills

There are many different types of drills, including:

• Hammer drills: With hammer and rotary actions, the hammer drill can drill through wood, concrete, stone, and metal. The drill-only mode penetrates metal and wood, and the hammer-and-drill mode drills through brick and concrete.
• Rotary hammer: Also called a combination hammer, the rotary hammer is a larger and more powerful version of the hammer drill. 
• Drill drivers: Drill drivers can drill and drive screws. They have an adjustable clutch mechanism that lets you drive screws consistently without leaving them short or overdriving.

Power Saws

Power saws are used for cutting solid materials. They’re usually powered by a cable or battery.

Popular power saw types include:

• Circular saws: These saws have abrasive discs and teeth for cutting. They can be used on plastic, wood, metal, and other materials. DIYers and professionals often use circular saws for making long, fast, and straight cuts. Common types of circular saws include:

• Abrasive: These devices have abrasive discs for grinding purposes.
  • Cold type, for metal: Used for cutting metal, these saws use high-speed steel (HSS) blades with three tooth styles: segmented tooth, solid tooth, and carbide inserted tooth.
  • Concrete: Concrete circular saws are used to cut brick, concrete, and tile.
  • Buzz or cordwood: These beasts have round metal discs for cutting slabs and logs into firewood. 
• Chainsaws: Chainsaws use a rotating linked chain to cut through wood at high speeds. They’re commonly used to fell and trim trees and cut through lumber. They have various power sources, including battery-powered engines, petrol motors, and corded, electric-powered engines. Gas chainsaws have the most power, but they’re also the most difficult to use and maintain. They’re also less environmentally friendly than battery-powered and electric saws. 
• Reciprocating saws: These saws use push-and-pull motions to cut wood. They’re often used in demolition, remodeling, and construction work. 
• Jigsaws: Jigsaws have a reciprocating blade that can make curved or straight cuts for wood crafts and other projects. They’re great for cutting complex shapes in wood.
• Table saws: Also known as bench saws, table saws are preferred for making accurate cuts. There are several kinds of table saws, including benchtop, sliding, hybrid, cabinet, and compact varieties.
• Flooring saws: These specialized tools are specifically designed for flooring projects. They can be used to make miter and straight cuts.

Hand Saws

Hand saws, also called panel saws, are used to cut wood into different sizes and shapes. Unlike power saws, they rely on manual power.

Common hand saw types include:

• Crosscut saws: These saws are used to make rough cuts, such as cutting lumber and trimming branches. They boast thick blades and large teeth. Crosscut saws can be operated by one person alone or by two people simultaneously, depending on the model. Two-person crosscut saws have handles at both ends.
• Bow cut saw: Based on crosscut saws, bow cut saws are often used for cutting logs and pruning trees. Their crosscut teeth can remove sawdust while sawing. They can also be used for curved cuts.
• Coping saws: Also known as hack saws, coping saws are designed for making curved cuts in wood. They have a thin, narrow blade with 15 to 17 teeth per inch.
• Fret saw: For complicated woodwork, look no further than the fret saw. With 32 teeth per inch, the fret saw can produce extremely accurate work. Unfortunately, they’re quite fragile.

Nail Gun

A nail gun, nailer, or nailgun is a type of hammer used for driving fasteners into wood and other surfaces. 

Nail guns come in several flavors:

• Pin nailers: These nailers are for driving 23-gauge nails, which look like pins and don’t have flat heads like other fasteners. Use pin nailers for cabinet and furniture making and installing delicate moldings and trim.
• Brad nailers: These are interior nailers for cabinet making and trim installations. They’re designed to drive tiny 18-gauge brad nails into wood. 
• Finish nailers: These nailers are for 15- and 16-gauge nails, which are stronger and thicker than 18-gauge brad nails. DIYers and professionals often use them for installing larger moldings and trims.
• Roofing nailers: Roofing nail guns are used to drive roofing nails. They are specifically designed for different sizes and types of insulation boards, shingles, waterproof tar paper, fiber cement, and vinyl materials.

Woodworking Hand Tools

Every workbench needs woodworking hand tools, such as sanders, filers, hammers, mallets, and chisels.

Sander and Filer

Sanding and filing can elevate your woodworking projects to professional quality. Used properly, they can eliminate splintered parts and create smooth wood surfaces.

Manual sanders and filers consist of wood or plastic blocks with sandpaper tacked on them. Use them if you don’t want to take off too much material. If you need to take off more material or do a substantial amount of sanding, get an electric sander.

Hammer and Mallet

Another popular manual woodworking tool is the hammer. DIYers usually use them for light-duty woodworking projects, such as crafts, furniture assembly, and framing.

Mallets are similar to hammers. A must-have in every toolkit, mallets can be used to deliver softened blows. Although you can’t use mallets to drive nails, you can use them to hit chisels. You can also use mallets to apply pressure to turn wrenches. Mallet heads are usually non-metallic and made of wood, rubber, or nylon.

Chisels

A chisel is a tool with a shaped cutting edge for cutting or carving wood. DIYers and artists often use chisels to carve wood. There are many types of specialty chisels, including:

• Mortise chisels: These have thick, stiff blades for making mortises and similar joints. 
• Sash mortise chisels: Lighter versions of ordinary mortise chisels, these chisels are used for shallow mortises in window mullions or muntins. 
• Firmer chisels: These chisels have thick, rectangular cross sections for heavier work.
• Framing chisels: Woodworkers usually use these with mallets for framing jobs.
• Dovetail chisels: These are specifically used for cutting dovetail joints.
• Bevel-edge chisels: Neither too short nor too long, these chisels are commonly used in carpentry. They have a straight edge and a beveled side. 
• Paring chisels: These chisels are thin, flexible, and long. They usually have beveled sides, and the cutting edge of the blade is sharpened to enable smooth cutting.
• Butt chisels: These chisels have uniquely short blades. As their name suggests, they’re used to install hinges and butts. 
• Corner chisels: Often used to create cabinets, these chisels have a medium-length blade. Carpenters use them to clean out square corners and cut deeper into mortises.

Precise Measurement Tools

Lastly, your toolbox should have precise measurement tools. Use these to transfer blueprints and ideas to your materials. 

Accurate Tape Measure

This one is probably obvious. We highly recommend getting a quality tape measure that provides accurate measurements in both the metric and imperial systems. If you need to note many measurements, get a story pole tape measure — these have blank areas you can write on with a pencil.

Level

Angle-checking tools like levels can ensure 100% accurate level measurements. They have protected vials for measuring levels and precise edges for making clean lines. They may offer additional features, such as a top view window in the middle or an angled vial for measuring pieces at 45º.

Marking Tool

Finally, you should get marking tools. For most projects, you’ll probably only need a pencil or two. For greater accuracy, consider getting a premium marking knife. The best marking knives let you put down layout lines that are only a fraction as wide as a sharp pencil line. Chalk lines can also come in handy for making long, straight lines.

Get Started With a Small Array of Tools and Build From There

Choosing quality tools can be trying, especially if you’re a beginner with limited experience. If you don’t know what to look for, you can easily get tools that don’t fit your needs.

To avoid wasting money on the wrong tools, start with a small array of must-have tools. For instance, if you’re working on a DIY furniture project, you can make do with the following:

• A hammer

• An electric hand saw

• A mallet

• Marking tools

• An accurate tape measure

• A manual sander

• A corded or cordless drill

• A solid workbench

Once you get used to your current batch of tools, you can start expanding your toolkit.