I have been asked multiple times over the past two years since I started woodworking…..
“What tools did you start out with when you started woodworking?” – anyone ever
So maybe not everyone, in fact definitely not everyone, but a good amount have inquired and so I figured I would come up with a list of a few tools to start out with. Rather than let you know the tools I began with I decided to give you the following list thinking about the tools that I couldn’t do without now. This is not all inclusive by any means, and it is also assuming that you have items like a tape measure, wood glue, pencils etc.
| Five Tools I Wish I Started With and Now Cant Live Without |
| 1 Table Saw |
| 2 Orbital Sander |
| 3 Power Drill |
| 4 A Few Decent Clamps |
| 5 Dust Control (in some form) |
#1 Table Saw
Besides my workbench the table saw is the center of my workshop. From mitered cuts, dados and grooves, to small intricate cuts using a sled that you created using the table saw! A truly amazing and versatile tool that can elevate your woodworking. Now with any tool, budget is going to dictate the quality of the tool. This one to the right is my current table saw, but definitely not the one I started with. Things to look out for include important safety features, what size blade it can fit and if it can fit a dado stack, how wide of a cut you can make with the fence, among other features. Most saws now come with a riving knife which separates the wood after splitting to prevent kickback. A good fence and a dust port, and picking a saw that allows 10inch blades should suffice to start! Other great features that you can lookout for when picking a saw – a mobile base (or if you can afford it go for higher end like a cabinet saw with a stationary base!), anti-kickback and dust port from above, and if you get real fancy blades that stop if you make contact with them (cough cough…. SawStop).
#2 Orbital Sander
I started out with my fathers Dewalt orbital sander he purchased when I was a child. It worked great, and for the price (free rental) it was amazing. I have since upgraded and now use a bosch corded sander with a great dust filter. If you can afford it purchasing a fancy orbital sander with dust extractor seems to be an incredible option to keep yourself indoors with healthy lungs! Otherwise there are a ton of options that should fit any budget. In order to get a high quality finish without spending years sanding this is a necessary tool, and making sure you have a dust mask or some form of ventilation is also necessary for lung safety.
#3 Power Drill
This is just an all around useful tool to have, regardless of woodworking. For home DIY, for drilling for hinges, and with attachments you can do things like sand! They make great kits that are extremely affordable, even with brushless motors that are relatively inexpensive. I currently have a Milwaukee cordless set with drill and impact driver, and love them!
#4 Decent Clamps
A good set of clamps will do you wonders. There are so many different types of clamps, and it also goes without saying — YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH CLAMPS! I started out with some quick clamps, have since acquired a good selection of parallels clamps, F clamps, among many others (example to the right of parallel clamps). Each type has its purpose, and I recommend purchasing clamps as you need them and building your collection as you go!
#5 Dust Control
Final recommendation is some form of dust control. As simple as a mask to fancy duct systems connected to large motor dust extractors! Each form suits different needs, but for the average DIYer or weekend warrior I would definitely recommend starting out with a shop vacuum to keep your floors and lungs a little cleaner. In addition if you are working in an enclosed area wearing a mask, keeping windows and doors open if possible to keep dust out.
The above list was made thinking about what I could not do without in my shop. With that being said I build small pieces of furniture, cutting boards, tea boxes, and this is a list of five tools I could not do without making those types of items! This list could be completely different depending on what you want to get into. For instance someone who wants to get into making bowls would likely be better suited with a lathe or power carver. Last thing I will say is the following — BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING MAKE SURE TO LEARN PROPER TECHNIQUE AND SAFETY! I cant stress this enough. Making sure you are comfortable with using power tools is a must, and making sure you are safe doing so is a must as well. Just because someone does something on youtube doesn’t mean you should copy them. Make sure you learn from someone you know who is experienced, or if you have the time take a course at your local community college or woodcraft store! Never rush, do things safely, and you will have a great time getting into the incredible hobby of woodworking.
The Wood Doc 
I think you really nailed it on this post, Doc. If I could add a #6, it would be a combination square. They are invaluable for layout, checking boards for straightness and making sure the angles on the table saw and other tools are set accurately.
Keep up the great work!
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Thanks so much! I also couldn’t agree more, keeping things true and straight is a kind of a must with woodworking!
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