Essential Woodworking Tools
Love woodworking and all things DIY? Or do you simply want to learn the basics of the craft? No matter whether you are a novice or a fully fledged expert this list of essential woodworking tools are applicable to all levels of woodworker. So if you're just getting used to a dove joint or making biscuits (not for tea) this comprehensive list of tools will get your woodworking aspirations started ... or finished.
This definitive guide of tools can be used to help you start a career, hobby or will simply make for a perfect gift guide for someone you know who loves wood!
Claw Hammer
A well balanced hammer is a must. We recommend a 20oz hammer as they are strong enough to drive nails but pliable enough to pull out tough nails. Especially useful when using rebated woods.
Measuring Tape
You need an accurate tape measure for any job. We recommend an 8 metre measure. Make sure it comes with a secure hook, as a millimetre allowance can impact greatly in large scale jobs!
Sliding Bevel
A sliding or 'T' bevel is essential. If you are planning on creating anything with an angle over or under 90° this is a handy tool. You can lock in the angle, allowing you to mark and cut angles very quickly.
Combination Square
The layout square is a triangle that you can use to mark square cuts on stock. Once you measure the length of the cut, you line up the layout square with the edge of the board. The short side will give you a straight, square cut across the end grain. You can also measure off angles with the layout square. Handy for measuring mitre and bevel cuts. Make sure to buy a metal square as plastic tends to warm and become useless over time.
Table Saw
A must have in any passionate hobbyist's or professional's workshop. Having a good table saw lets you carry out dimensioning, jointing, bevel, mitre, cross, rip and general cutting in a wide range of timbers. Of all the saw types out there - circular, mitre etc, - a table saw is best suited to all types of joinery work.
Screwdrivers
It is always good to have a range of screwdrivers in your repertoire of tools. The most common types and recommended by us are: Phillips, flat, TORX and Pozidriv (at a minimum). Your screwdrivers will need to vary in size from small to large. You will need smaller sized drivers for furniture creation and larger sized ones for bigger workpieces.
Clamps
Any experienced woodworker will agree that there is no such thing as having too many clamps. You will need clamps for just about everything from creating 45° & 90° joints, veneering, jointing and so much more. If you are a novice we recommend at minimum getting some quick clamps for both clamping and spreading. As time passes you will also need 'C', 'F', 'K', strap and hand clamps. If you are creating toys or small projects micro or mini clamps will also be needed.
The Block Plane
The block plane is a hand held plane which is key to the versatility of a project. Initially created so that joiners could have a more flexible tool for pairing end grain, the block plane enables you to flatten, curve and square off work. It is also commonly used for chamfering (angling square edges). Most novices will recognise the plane as a tool used to shave thin layers off wood in order to make a piece fit, for example you will plane a door to make it fit a frame.
The Jigsaw
Primarily used to make curved, intricate cute in woods the jigsaw is an incredibly versatile tool suitable for most curved cuts. Jigsaws are particularly useful in woodwork as their ultra thin blades provide an incredibly accurate cut. Their design by nature is lightweight and easy to manage so most jigsaws can be hand guided along a stencil or to a specific design. They can also be used to make straight, plunge and bevel cuts.
Chisels
A set of chisels are an essential part of any woodworker's tool collection. Primarily used as a carving tool, chisels are favourable when creating intricate designs and carvings. It is best to have a good variety of chisels ranging from 1/4" to 1&1/2". The smallest chisel sizes are handy to have when creating mortise joints. Most chisels have a double bevel edge, however some speciality chisels feature a single bevel only. When choosing a chisel, make sure that it fits your hand, as using them requires two hands. The better the fit, the more control you have. Chisels, more so smaller chisels, are particularly handy for cleaning out sawdust from joints as well.
Wood Mallet
The wooden mallet goes hand in hand with chisels, quite literally. The chisel is placed against the work piece and the wooden mallet is used to strike the chisels end cap. You will need a wooden mallet in your tool kit for the simple reason they do not deform the metal end cap of striking hand tools such as chisels as a metal claw hammer would. Additionally their force of impact is less than a traditional hammer, giving you more control with chisel work. Wooden mallets are also useful for driving dowels into joints without damaging the dowel pin, as well as other work.
Nail Punches
A set of nail punches with various sizes to suit various nail heads are crucial to any woodworker who takes pride in their work. If you want your project to look professionally finished then it is important that outward facing nails are invisible to the eye. Similar to an awl the nail punch allows you to drive nail heads into the wood so that they are flush with the timber or sitting under the timbers level, so that they can be puttied and filled in preparation of staining or painting. They can also be used to create starting pilot holes for a nail or screw, reducing the chances of slips.
Hand Saw/Tenon Saw
If you are wanting a saw solely for woodworking then a tenon saw should be the first choice for any beginner. Tenon saws have a relatively short blade with a stiff spine and generally have a higher TPI (teeth per inch) than standard saws. This gives a slower cut but provides a much neater cut and better control. The tenon saw name is derived from the fact it is primarily used to cut out tenon joints but can be used to make standard cuts as well. Note, if you don't have a power saw to cut larger pieces, you should probably consider a hardwearing 12" hand saw too.
Planer Thicknesser
Planer thicknessers are used to trim the thickness of boards or planks so that its thickness is consistent throughout the length of the piece. You could use a belt sander, but are generally limited to the width of the boards you sand and more so, you are not guaranteed to obtain a consistent thickness. A planer thicknesser contains three components; a rotating cutting head, adjustable table and feed rollers. To use a thicknesser, the board must already have a flat face as a reference point. If you have a board that isn't flat on either side, you will need to flatten one side before using a thicknesser.
Power Drill
The two most common types of drill are corded or cordless. Generally speaking, corded drills are more powerful than cordless because they have a consistent power flow. But ultimately the choice is yours. You will need a good drill for both screwdriving and drilling applications. Generally it just makes life much easier. Plus corded drills tend to be less expensive. When choosing a drill, choose wisely. We recommend you get a larger 1/2" chuck so that it can accommodate larger bits such as auger bits (for making large holes in timber) and paddle bits. Most chucks will accept minimum diameter bits.
Random Orbit Sander
Most experienced woodworkers will say that you are best having a range of sanders for various jobs (and they are right to a degree), but if you're short on a budget and need an all purpose sander then you need a random orbital sander. Why random? The technology behind a random orbital sander ensures that the angle of rotation of both the head and disc are variable. In layman's terms, the disc spins in random motions so that the sanding pad never retraces the same sanding pattern as before. This benefits woodworkers as the sander does not leave swirl marks and you can sand in any direction regardless of the woodgrain.
The Jointer
We mentioned having a block plane, which allows you to square off edges and carry out chamfering work. Sometimes you just can't do things by hand and you will never be able to achieve or ensure a perfectly square edge without a jointer. A jointer will allow you to yield flat surfaces or square edges off perfectly. Similar to planer thicknesser only the jointer differs where it can flatten salvaged, bowed or warped piece, so they can be thicknessed (as you need one flat side for a thicknesser). It is particularly useful when working with reclaimed wood. A jointer can also be used for chamfering, plunge cuts and in the creation of mitred butt joints.
Rasps & Files
Rasps and files come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the need and application. The most common styles you will find are rectangular, round and half-round rasps. Rasps differ from files where they give a coarse finish. Rasps are ideal for coarsely shaping woods, where they allow users to rapidly shape basic designs by hang. Their coarse finish effectively removes material at great speed. Files give a finer finish than rasps. So if you were to shape a piece of a child's toy with a rasp you would then finish it with a file to five a smooth and delicate finish. Files are also available in various shapes and sizes.
Safety Goggles
Needless to say that safety first, before you start any project, is a must! You will need a decent pair of safety goggles, especially when you are working with power tools like table saws where a lot of flying debris and dust is produced during the process. Safety goggles will help to protect your eyes (at least) from potential workshop hazards. There is no time during your stint in the workshop that you should not have safety goggles on. Put them on when you enter and remove only when you leave.
Latex Gloves
Latex gloves are by no means an essential in the workshop and in some instances they may even impede your work. However they are worth keeping around when it comes to gluing, varnishing, painting, lacquering or oiling. Most of the substances are a nightmare to remove from your skin and if you suffer from sensitive skin or any dermatological issues like Psoriasis then it is advisable to wear gloves.
Dust Extractor
The primary role of a dust extractor is to improve the quality of the air in a working environment. Most dust extractors are compatible with dust extraction ports on power tools and workshop machinery. They are relatively simple to set up and can cost anything from £50 upwards to the £1000s depending on performance, functionality, features and the number of machines that can be connected to it.