by Franz Fleckenstein

Created on: July 02, 2007

Avid woodworkers will tell you that no carpenter has every tool that he or she desires. However, there are some essential tools that every wood shop must have. Here is a short list of tools that I know I couldn't do without.

1. Drill Press ~ Variable speed drill presses are irreplaceable. Buy a decent one with a fully adjustable table.

2. Bits ~ Every shop will need some nice drill bits. Try bits with a "pilot point tip," they will rip threw your project faster than you will believe and they will have less damage to the back side of your wood upon break through. Also, you should invest in a decent variety of screw bits, extenders and snakes.

3. Sanders ~ I have two sanders that I use quite often, a combination belt and disc sander, as well as a oscillating spindle sander. The belt/disc sander is a must have. If you need to remove a lot of material without cutting, this tool will quickly sand even the most dense woods.

4. Hand-held tools ~ Most people have these even if they don't have a shop but just in case I will list some. Screwdrivers, a variety of pliers (needle nose, locking, adjustable, etc.), adjustable and box end wrenches, a few hand saws, a few hammers, a utility knife, a handful of chisels, and a counter-sinking tool.

5. Hand-held power tools ~ These are the power tools I use most frequently: cordless drill, sawzall, Dremel, skill saw, palm sander and hand-held band sander.

6. Chop Saw ~ Best for quick perpendicular and angled cross cuts.

7. Table Saw ~ Essential for ripping, clean crosscuts and work with DATO blades.

8. Workbench ~ You may not consider this a tool, but it is the focal point of every shop.

What I would recommend for shop owners with a clean slate is to determine what sort of wood working they are interested in. Cabinet makers, for instance, will need a multitude of tools for framing wood, routing trim and corners, and obviously a large amount and variety of hardware for hinges, handles and drawer slides. A furniture maker, on the other hand, will need more tools for carving, planing, and specialty sanding. Once you have determined where you would like to start, search for starter kits of a particular type of woodworking. Don't buy these kits, they are usually garbage. Simply look through the kit to see what tools you will need, and buy them separately. Good luck with your project and happy woodworking!

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