If you’re new to woodworking or DIY home projects, you’ve probably started shopping for tools you’ll need — and realized that there are far too many too choose from. It can be hard to know what tools are actually essential and which will end up getting used twice before being relegated to the back of the garage. Articles featuring professional carpenters make you think you need some lavish woodshop with every storage rack, specialty machine, and hand tool known to man.
It doesn’t have to be that complicated. Building and making things is a personal journey and should be one that you enjoy. Find the projects and ways of working that excite you and follow that path. Along the way, you’ll collect the tools you need, gain valuable experience, and learn lots of new strategies and methods to get professional results.
To start on this personal journey, however, you’ll need to start with some tools. Here is a comprehensive guide to the absolute essentials you’ll need for your starter tool kit.
Hand saws
One of the hallmarks of a complete toolkit is a set of hand saws. One of the most reliable types are Japanese-style hand saws — they’re affordable, user-friendly, and most allow you to switch out the blades very easily.
The pulling action you make when you cut is one that is simple to control. Pulling the blade also keeps the blade in tension — meaning that the blade doesn’t want to buckle as it cuts through the material. When the blade is in the pull action, it also reduces the kerf (the material a blade removes) when cutting. This means you are removing less material and you can work right up to your measurements, leaving less material to remove with chisels to clean up your joinery.
Chisels
Chisels are another staple for your toolkit. Even though you’ll find many chisel options available, all you need to start out with are three or four. These should be made from grades of steel that can be sharpened adequately and will hold an edge for a reasonable amount of time. Your choice here is determined by your budget, but a 1/4”, 1/2”, and 1” set of chisels will get you through most jobs as a woodworking beginner. If you want to get a tool roll to store them in, that is also a good addition to your kit. You won’t regret having secure storage for your chisels.
Sharpening Gear
Tool sharpening equipment is an easy rabbit hole to fall into, so first you’ll want to do your research and set a budget. However, you can get sharp tools with Japanese water stones, which require just three simple items. A good starting point is an #800 grit, #1200 grit, #4000 grit set of stones for honing and polishing.
You’ll also want a quality honing guide to set the angle and hold the tools being sharpened. Honing guides range from $15 to $80. These four small tools will get you on the path sharp tools with an edge that will last. Sharpening can and will get fancier as you improve your skills, but this is a great basic kit that everyone needs.
Drilling Tools
Somewhere along the line you’ll need to drill a hole or install some hardware. To do that effectively a cordless drill comes in handy. There are lots of options to choose from, but similar to your sharpening gear, remember to do your research and set a budget. Don’t be afraid to spend what you can afford on a quality tool that will last longer than something that’s cheaper but will need to be replaced sooner. Purchasing a couple extra batteries is a good idea since you don’t want to “down tools” when it’s time to recharge.
You may want to consider an entire tool system that offers multiple tools that operate on the same battery platform. This way you don’t need multiple chargers, and it streamlines your power tool collection. This option can also save you a little money since you’ll have spare batteries and bare tools (which are often cheaper since they come without power packs).
A logical companion to your cordless drill is a selection of drill bits. There are two ways to approach an important purchase like this. The first is investing in a high-quality, yet more expensive set at the beginning, knowing that these will last you a long time. The other approach is to buy a bargain set that might get you through your first few builds, and then replace bits as needed with higher quality ones.
Powered Cutting Tools
Similar to choosing a drill, there is an endless variety of circular saws — from blade size, corded or cordless, brand — you get the point. The most popular size of circular saw is the 7-1/4” size used on most construction sites and home renovations. A great way to ensure you don’t break the bank is to buy a reasonably priced saw, and purchase separately a high-quality blade. The blade that comes with the saw doesn’t have to be great, so use it for odd jobs where quality is less of a consideration. But when you want that cabinet shop finish, swap out for your good blade.
The blade is the part of the saw that does the work, so it’s always worth investing here to get the results you want. To do this, you’ll inevitably have multiple specialty blades to rip, crosscut, or use with specialty materials (like melamine-faced sheet goods). Be aware that these blades have specially designed geometry and are designed for a specific purpose. Yes, all-rounders exist, but they are a compromise, so just be aware of that when you’re shopping.
Everyone needs a hand to cut a straight line, and that is where a straight edge comes in handy. You simply lay this tool across your material, account for any offset from the edge to your blade, and cut a beautifully straight line. Straight edges are portable and take up almost no space, so if you’re working out a garage or shed, you can easily set up in the driveway or yard to make your cuts.
Many woodworking beginners start off by simply clamping a 2×4 to their workpiece, but the problem here is that 2x4s are not always straight, or the clamps can come loose. We recommend a tool specifically designed to clamp onto your piece so it doesn’t budge. A straight edge manufactured from aluminum, such as the NGX Clamp Edge, ensures straight cuts and budge-free rips every time. This improves the accuracy of your work and can save you money since you won’t waste material because of bad cuts.
Work Support
Finally, you’ll need a work table or workbench to support your creative streak. If you have a dedicated shop area then you might opt for the workbench. Many people build their own workbenches, and some consider it a rite of passage to build your own. However, materials to build your own can often be more expensive than buying one. If you’re in the market to save a little dough (which you might be after buying everything else for your starter tool kit), you can simply purchase one. A Sjobergs Nordic Plus is a great model for a beginner.
However, if you’re working in the driveway most of the time and need to move your workstation on a regular basis, a collapsible work table might be a better (and less expensive) option. Something like the Centipede Workstand, which is portable, durable, and comes in multiple sizes, is the perfect choice if you need to pack up shop so you can park your car in the garage.
Starting Your Tool Kit
What matters here is choosing tools that suit the way you work. This way, you can spend your time building instead of trying to fight your setup. Making items at home or doing a DIY project is so satisfying — it can be the perfect way to clear your head, focus on a doable task, and enjoy some personal time.
Ultimately, the point is just to get started! With the above information in your mental tool kit, you can go out and make informed decisions on how to start your own woodworking tool kit. Assess what you want to build, look at the tools you need, and budget accordingly. The journey here is a personal one and should suit your goals. Enjoy!