New woodworkers often e-mail me asking which tools they should purchase to equip their growing workshop. There’s really no definite answer, as the list of required tools changes based upon the projects they attempt to build. First though, I would like to discuss tool quality and why it might not be worth purchasing the best tools.

When you go to the store to buy a power tool you are going to see a wide range of manufacturers and prices. Generally the more expensive the tool the better the quality. Better quality tools have better parts, design features, and tighter manufacturing tolerances. They also generally perform better when in use. I usually buy the best tool that I can afford, but I also use my tool quite a bit and demand a lot from them. If you are just starting out and can only invest a limited amount of money in setting up your shop I wouldn’t buy the best. There are some exceptions to this rule but generally if this is going to be a weekend hobby and you’re not working on advanced projects there probably isn’t a need for the best tools. I would still look for a quality tool at a reasonable price and would probably shy away from the rock bottom priced off-brand tools. The following list details the tools and the order I would purchase them.

Tool #1 - Drill
I would start with a good 3/8" corded drill. With a screwdriver attachment you can use it to accomplish a number of different tasks. I wouldn’t start off with a cordless drill. They are more convenient but are also quite a bit more expensive.

Tool #2 - Circular Saw
You can use a circular saw to trim down plywood and perform basic cuts on 2"x4"s. There are a number of woodworking plans out there that only require these two tools. (i.e. picnic table)

Tool #3 - Finishing Sander
This type of sander generally uses a ¼ piece of sandpaper and is used for finish sanding. It’s great for smoothing out a surface for painting or finishing. You can also use it to round over edges on some of your projects.

Tool #4 - Jig Saw
A hand held jig saw is great for cutting curves and rough outlines. If you plan to build lawn ornaments this is a must have tool.

Tool #5 - Table Saw
The table saw is one tool I wouldn’t skimp on. There are many small inexpensive table saws out there but unfortunately they are under-powered and don’t work very well. It is important that you purchase a table saw with a good powerful motor. Otherwise the blade will tend to stall when ripping wood and even burn some of your work. Equally important is that the fence be of a decent length and lock down tight without movement. If price is a good judge I wouldn’t go below $300 – even on my first saw.

Tool #6 - Router
Just like a table saw I wouldn’t skimp on a router. A router is a tool that’s used to cut a profile into the edge of a piece of wood. (The profile on the edge of your dining room table was probably cut by a router.) They can also be used to cut molding and special profiles. When used with a "pilot bit" the router can be used to trim plastic laminate and cut parts from a template. Routers are available in plunge and fixed versions. The plunge router is spring loaded on its base and can be pushed down into a workpiece for special cuts. The other factor in router is the bit size. They are generally available in ¼ and ½" . This refers to the size of the router bit it will hold. If you plan to work your way up into larger projects you will need ½" bits. I made the mistake of purchasing a ¼" router when I first started and later had to buy a ½" in order to use many of the larger router bits I wanted. My recommendations are to buy a ½" plunge router with a decent amount of power. Also be sure to purchase top quality carbide tipped router bits. Inexpensive router bits tend to be made with lower quality materials and ground to less precise tolerances.

Tool #7 - Band Saw
You can use a band saw for a number of projects. It’s extremely useful for cutting shapes and curves. You can also use a bandsaw for re-sawing lumber and cutting boards from logs.

Tool #8 - Compound Miter Saw
You can perform compound miter cuts on a table saw but this tool is a lot easier to use.

Tool #9 - Lathe
More important than the quality of the lathe is the quality of the turning tools you use. I spent about $150 on my lathe and about $200 on my first set of turning tools.

Tool #10 - Biscuit Joiner
A biscuit joiner is an excellent tool for joining together pieces of wood. The tool cuts a small slot in each side of a joint and a biscuit is inserted and glued in place to hold the parts together. A biscuit joiner can really speed up assembly of a project.

Tool #11 - Belt Sander
Belt sanders are great for rapidly smoothing lumber as well as shaping parts and objects.

Tool #12 - Drill Press
A drill press is great for drilling consistent holes in wood, however the limited depth makes them less useful for woodworking than metalworking. The best uses for a drill press are when you are working with small parts.