8 Essential Woodworking Tools for Beginners

Every DIY enthusiast understands how having certain kinds of tools is vital in completing their projects. The same applies when working with wood. Imagine offering solid foods to an infant… The same applies to beginners. You will want to try out the easy-to-use items with basic jobs before advancing to the most complicated woodworking jobs. 

This does not mean acquiring all the woodworking tools you know out there. Starting with the right set of tools might make all the difference in your woodworking journey, says Drrrunkshopping.com author. Essential woodworking tools for beginners will mean improving your crafting experience, saving money, and preventing injuries.  

8 Essential Woodworking Tools for beginners:

Below are the 8 essential woodworking tools for beginners. There are those tools that work with most of these tools. Items such as nails and pencils are just necessary, and you can easily acquire them. Therefore, we have brought the best options of tools that could have somewhat challenged you to choose. With the tools, you can do almost every project you know.

1. The drill

This is one of the basic tools you should consider when going for your very first set. There are different kinds of drills. For a start, a corded drill might suit you most. This is because of its power and versatility. 

On the other hand, you might opt for the cordless drill if you want a simple and portable tool—however, most of these types of drills come with high price tags.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a drill. You may want to have one with either the 3/8-inch or the 1/2 –inch chuck. You may also opt for straight drill or hammer drill, keyed or keyless chuck, and so forth. Be sure of your options before making that order. 

2. Circular saw 

A circular saw is a must-have for a beginner.  This is because of their wide range of use compared to other saws. For example, when combined with an additional set of tools, they can work just like a table saw.

Just like other saws, you should consider the teeth-per-inch you will need before making your purchase.  A fine-toothed is ideal for creating smooth cuts. However, using the fine-toothed saw might risk burning your wood. If you opt for the wide-toothed saw, ensure you acquire an orbital sander or a jointer.

Some circular saws offer a few saw blade alternatives. Regular woodcutting will work well with a 40-tooth saw blade. However, for plywood and laminate materials, you will need an 80-tooth saw blade. 

3. Claw hammer

This is probably the essential tool you may find in every household.  The best thing about this tool is its versatility. The tool has one end of its head rounded and the other end counterbalanced with a V-shape.

Some individuals may opt for a nail gun instead of a claw hammer. However, the nail gun might not give you the versatility like that of a claw hammer. For a beginner, a claw hammer can help you do more than driving nails into surfaces. This unique tool is excellent in removing nails from surfaces.

There are various types of hammers. Your choice will depend on the kind and intensity of work you are planning to do. Hammers with wooden handles are considered best for driving lots of nails. This is because they are light and will not put much strain on your wrist. If you think you will engage yourself more in removing nails from surfaces, go for hammers with steel or fiberglass handles. 

4. Chisel 

Having a couple of chisels might make your woodworking kick off smooth. These items look small and insignificant but wait until you get down to work. The tool can be used for carving, shaping, paring, and joinery.

The best chisel type for beginners is bevel edge chisels. This is because they are versatile and affordable. If you opt for other types like mortise and bench chisels, you will have to buy more chisels for more functions.

5. The router

A router is essential for shaping the edges of your work. You can make a wide range of shapes with different bits. The best thing about a router is you can use smaller bits in a larger collet. However, you can’t use more significant bits for a smaller collet. Collets are available in two sizes; 1/4 and 1/2 size.

If you want increased stability, opt for the more significant bits. On the downside, larger bits are rare and relatively more expensive compared to smaller bits. 

Routers come in various varieties. For beginners, the stationary base router will work best. The router does almost all the work compared to other types of router. Besides, it is easier to use a stationer router.

6. The jigsaw

A jigsaw is another excellent tool you will need for basic woodworking. The device works best in making zigzag lines. You can also choose between cordless and corded jigsaw.

A jigsaw features a splinter guard for the safe cutting of plywood and other wood materials having thin veneers. It also comes with a variety of blades for cutting different types of wood materials.

7. Sharpening stone

The primary maintenance practice for cutting tools is sharpening them. Besides, it is crucial to know how to sharpen various tools. Fortunately, the essential tools for beginners are easy to sharpen using a good sharpening stone.

There are several types of sharpening stones. However, you can choose between the main sharpening stones; water stones and diamond plates. With water stones, you will only need water to do your job. Water stones also come in a variety of grits. Diamond plates, on the other hand, are a great option. However, they are more expensive than water stones.

8. The Random OrbitalSander

The last but not least essential tool for a beginner is the random Orbital sander. No matter how smart your task is, you will not do justice to your finish without sanding. Unlike the traditional sandpaper that required more energy and time, this tool offers efficiency.

Random Orbital sander comes with dust filters and a mask to prevent you from inhaling the wood dust. Besides, they offer more appealing results with no swirling patterns common in other sanders.

Conclusion 

Starting new projects may be exciting. This is no different with woodworking. You may encounter various challenges if you get a complicated set of tools. However, setting your foot on the right tone will tell how far you can go with the woodworking journey. That is why we chose the most important tools you will need for a start. 

It does not matter whether you are doing it as a hobby or as a profession. Our 8 essential woodworking tools for beginners might be all you need to begin your journey!