10 Must-Have Tools For Beginner Woodworkers

watching these kind of videos makes me realize how nice my high school woodshop was

As a woodworker/cabinet maker for the last 30 years or so, I think this is a great list. I'd like to add a few little extra bits of my own, if I may, in no particular order: 1. You can never have too many clamps. 2. Table saw - if you're buying a small table saw, get one that allows you to change the blade from the top. Might sound like a no brainer, but some small saws require the whole machine to be flipped over to change the blade which is a nuisance, believe me, especially if it is on a stand. 3. Cutting tools - buy decent cutting tools, whether they be saw blades, router bits, drill bits, whatever. Buying cheap ones is a false economy as they go blunt really fast and will either give crappy cuts or you'll have to change them more often. Same with glue - buy decent glue. It'll hold way better than cheap stuff. 4. The drill press - the floor standing ones are great, but keep in mind some manufacturers offer a bench top version of their floor standing drills. I have a big Record Power pillar drill that has a 3 foot post instead of 6 feet. This allowed me to make a heavy duty drawer unit on wheels so I have the height and power of the floor standing drill, but with storage for all the drill bits, sanding drums etc and, if I need to, I can move it easily. I have never needed to use the full height of the bed (who needs to drill through 3 feet?) so it works really well. 5. You can never have too many clamps. 6. Band saws - if you're buying floor standing shop tools, a band saw is very useful and should be considered in addition to the items in the video. 7. Routers - to reiterate what was said in the video, routers are incredibly flexible tools that will massively increase the scope of what you can do with your projects. They can be a bit scary, but as long as you stick to the recommended speeds, make shallow cuts and don't do anything silly, they're quite safe to use. 8. Shop vac - worth looking at if you're going to be using power tools. These machines can create a huge amount of dust and chips, and a shop vac will help alleviate that and make tidying up much easier. 9. Biscuit joinery - as well as pocket hole screws, you might want to look at biscuit joinery, especially for cabinet making. It removes the need for screws, nails etc and creates very strong, completely invisible joints. 10. You can never have too many clamps.

This is a great list, but I honestly would not consider some of these tools "beginner tools." My list would only include a circular saw, a jigsaw, a drill-driver combo, a random orbit sander, a shop vac, and F-clamps. My rationale is that power tools like the table saw and the router may come across as intimidating to a new woodworker. Plus, some of these suggestions are not cheap; a benchtop jointer, for example, is going to run you at least $300-$400, and even the low-end thickness planers are going to run you $400. Obviously, I'm not accounting for something you might be able to find on the secondhand market, but a novice is likely not going to know enough to make an informed purchase. The better approach, in my opinion, is to start simple, get comfortable making some basic projects, and then start buying tools as you find a need for them. Beyond this, I do compliment you on your explanation of these tools and their purpose.

I’m in carpentry class right now, inspired by you, but I will watch this once I’m done. Thank you for all you have shown and taught me!

Thank you so much for creating this list of tools. I find this extremely helpful. I'm at the beginning stages of woodworking and your expertise takes the guesswork out of the equation. Creating this list of tools and adding it to my iPhone for future purchases. Thanks again!! You are slaying the game and educating me with each video.

16:08 one of the quickest tool showdowns ever, thanks for that!

Thank you for this video. I’ve been woodworking for over 2 years now, and I’m officially obsessed! My husband remembers you from the Steelers. I have a lot of these tools we’ve bought over the last year, except a router. That’s my next purchase, and a planer. My dad was very much into woodworking and has a wood shop in his house. I drool over all of his equipment whenever I visit.

Thanks so much! Love all your videos. Yep, I'm a beginner and have been doing wood/epoxy projects with the most basic tools. I'm wanting to expand on my tools and this helps a bunch!!

As a total hobbyist, I really appreciate this! Thanks, really terrific, hope you keep going with it!

As a novice I'm really interested by your pocket holes comment. Can you do a video showing when to use and not to and why?

Was a past homeowner woodworker, you are getting me back into it now that I am retired from my job! Thanks!

100% agree with Malecki on the Router being lower on the list. I was terrified of it, which I knew that fear could lead to more mistakes on it rather than make me use it in a safe manner. So I didn't use one till I was about a year into learning woodworking. After that, it's become a staple in my tool use, but I made lots of things without one too. Malecki is bang on in this regard. Also the video is pretty great for beginners. So if you're new listen to his advice.

Thanks for the great video, My girlfriend started watching these videos with me and now I have to remodel her closet... Sound advice I used a job site for years before I got a table.. still use the job site when i have too work out side the shop.

I like how everything is "the most versatile tool in the shop" :D

Man, I love the way you film, speak, and explain. This was a great video for my limited woodshop to avoid wasting money but I can just binge your videos that aren't even relevant to me. You keep them incredibly entertaining and educational. Thank you!

Gotta be one of the best 10 tools for beginners out there.  Really appreciate your honesty and explaining the reasons for them on the list and their location.

Hey thanks for the vid it really helped me

Hey John! Loving the content as always! As an aspiring woodworker, I would love to see a video dedicated to re-sawing and breaking down raw lumber efficiently/correctly. Much love from a fellow Sam in New Zealand!

This is the video I needed all this time. Just getting started with woodworking.

Another great video John. Love the no bs approach to the advice you give.