“Get Started In Woodworking?” All your expensive tools look intimidating.
Many people ask me how I got started in woodworking, and what I would recommend to get started. The first question is difficult for me since I’ve been working with wood in one way or another since I was old enough to carry nails and put my dad’s cut-offs in the scrap pile. I highly recommend growing up with someone as talented at the craft as my dad was and being surrounded by large woodworking tools. But if you are not so fortunate, start with just a few handheld power tools and hand tools. I’ve included a basic list of the minimum tools required to start woodworking in this article. You will be restricted to dimensioned lumber with these tools, but even some of the most common hardwoods are easily accessible at most of the box stores around the country. Once you have the tools, purchase “The Complete Book of Woodworking: Step-by-Step Guide to Essential Woodworking Skills, Techniques and Tips.” It is a great basic woodworking book with over 40 different projects—most can be built with the list of tools below. Each set of plans specifically indicates what tools are required to build the project. If you read the details provided in this book, you’ll be building useful furniture projects for your home or gifts as soon as you have all the necessary tools.
Also, I would recommend watching some of the best woodworkers on YouTube. First, I recommend the Wood Whisperer https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKp44bWWZIiOPShPN_ytShw; Marc Spagnolo is an exceptional woodworker and a perfectionist in every project. He is very advanced, but his skills are a joy to watch and learn. Steve Ramsey on his channel Woodworking for Mere Mortals https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBB7sYb14uBtk8UqSQYc9-w provides some basic and creative projects for beginning woodworkers. Finally, James Hamilton’s channel, Stumpy Nubs’s https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCstwpLSByklww1YojZN-KiQ provides great tips and jigs for any skill level. There are many other woodworking channels, but these provide a good starting point. And last but not least, purchase a subscription to Woodsmith magazine http://www.woodsmith.com/. It is worth every penny. Then order the DVDs of the Woodsmith Shop television shows http://www.woodsmith.com/woodsmith-shop-dvds.php. They provide detailed demonstrations of techniques and finished projects. Included with the DVDs are a complete set of thorough plans for every project on the show. They usually have a deal to get several seasons for a reduced price.
If you don’t have any of these tools, and you have to buy everything new it will cost about $1,000.00 (2015 prices) to get completely set up, but watch for used tools to save some money. Just make sure you are getting a good deal and not someone’s piece of junk. Also, I’ve provided links to the tools I’ve listed, and I selected what I believe to be the best quality tools for the price. In many cases, there are higher quality tools that are very expensive. You may want to consider these precision tools later as you advance in the craft. I can guarantee if you invest in a few good quality tools it will be worth it, and you’ll be improving your skills daily.
If you have a home store near you, everything can be purchased in one trip. If not, you can find everything online.
- Circular Saw with a combination blade
- Jig Saw
- Plunge Router with a set of basic bits — I recommend one with a ½” shank. This will be the most expensive single purchase. If you are not prepared to invest in a plunge router you can purchase a compact router or fixed-based router for less.
- Drill with a set of brad point bits & Driver
- Random Orbit Sander
- Set of Chisels
- Wooden Mallet
- Block Plane
- Smoothing Plane
- Set of Screw Drivers
- Hand Saw
- Combination Square
- Tape Measure
- Sandpaper various grits
- Hammer
- Clamps
- Safety Equipment (googles, ear protection and half mask respirator)
Get your build on!