by Jimmy

Created on: June 27, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

There is a wealth of tools available in stores and online, even if you could simply buy them all, you'd need a warehouse just to store them. That being the case here's a shortened list of; the essential power tools every woodworker needs in a well equipped shop.

Saws are the backbone of a well equipped shop. And there are many different saws to choose from, essentials for any woodshop, are at least one of these three most common saws: a table saw, a compound miter saw, and a radial arm saw, depending on your needs.

Table saws are a fixed blade, on a fixed table. You can adjust the blade height, and the angle up to 45. To cut with this saw you make the proper adjustments and guide the wood into the blade with the help of a fence, push stick, and sometimes a miter gauge. You can make almost any cut you need with this saw, and it is essential if you're cutting large sheets of plywood.

Next is a compound miter saw, sometimes called a chop saw by old timers, because, that's an exact description of how it works. You place the stock against the fence, grab the handle, and with the blade spinning, chop the wood into two pieces, a limitation with this saw is you can't cut dado joints, or other common cabinet joints, but it's the saw you needs for outdoor construction. It's great when you are cross cutting stock with dimensions as large as 4x6, typically used in heavy duty deck construction, and garden border projects.

A radial arm saw combines the precise cuts of a miter saw, and the versatility of a table saw. You can on an angle cut stock; you can tilt the blade to cut the face of stock, you can cross cut wider stock than a miter saw, because the radial arm is also a guide that the saw rides on when you pull the saw through the stock. You can also adjust the cutting depth to make fine cabinet joints, and finally you can lock the set the saw to rip boards up to 12 wide. A notable limitation is you can only make relatively narrow cuts on plywood, where a table saw doesn't have this limitation.

If you are mainly construction oriented, you'll need a circular saw to go where a compound miter can't go, and a reciprocal saw for tears down existing structures with ease. A laser level is a relatively new tool that that replaces a transit, level and plumb bob in one fell swoop. It is for use outdoor and indoor use, wherever a level line is needed, laying out a plumb and level deck, and indoors when you're installing cabinets, or even hanging picture frames true and level.

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