Beginner Woodworking Tools: The 10 You Actually Need First

Tool catalogs make it look like you need a full shop before you can build anything. You don’t. These ten tools cover most beginner projects, in roughly the order to buy them.

The starter ten

1. Tape measure (25 ft) and a pencil.
2. Combination square. For marking square lines and checking cuts. Probably the most important accuracy tool you’ll own.
3. Safety gear: safety glasses, hearing protection and a dust mask or respirator.
4. Cordless drill/driver. Drives screws and drills holes; the most-used power tool for beginners.
5. Saw. Either a good hand saw (cheap and quiet) or a circular saw with a straightedge guide for plywood and long rips.
6. Clamps. Start with four bar clamps of 12”–24”. You’ll want more later.
7. Random orbit sander and sandpaper in 80, 120, 180 and 220 grit.
8. Wood glue.
9. Chisel set (1/4”, 1/2”, 3/4”) for cleaning joints.
10. A sturdy work surface. A simple workbench is a great first project itself.

What can wait

• Table saw. Very useful, but expensive and the most dangerous tool for beginners. Learn on a circular saw first.
• Router. Great for edges and joinery once you have the basics.
• Planer and jointer. Only needed if you start buying rough lumber.

Miter saw or circular saw?

A miter saw makes fast, accurate crosscuts and angles, which is ideal for frames, boxes and 2x4 furniture. A circular saw handles both crosscuts and long rips in sheet goods. If you can only buy one, a circular saw is more versatile; if most of your projects use dimensional lumber, a miter saw is quicker and more accurate.

Buying advice

Stick to one cordless battery platform so batteries are shared. Buy fewer, better tools rather than a big cheap kit, and always read the manual’s safety section before first use.

Next: set up your space with our small garage workshop ideas.