10 Tools Every Woodworker Should Own

Welcome back everyone!. This week I wanted to highlight 10 tools that I currently have in my shop that I think ever woodworker should not only know about, but should own. I often get asked about tools that I have, or get asked how I feel about certain tools. Now, most people that have either been following me or are subscribed to me know that I am a huge supporter of Festool. However, just because I use a lot of their tools, that does not mean that I do not have less expensive tools that are a necessity to my daily work in the shop. This video is my attempt to highlight some of those tools. I took some time to figure out what 10 things I would recommend people invest in that would help with overall efficiency and productivity in the shop.

If you want to find out more about the tools that I talk about in this video, or purchase them for your own shop, I will leave links below to all of these tools. To be clear, I am in no way sponsored by any of these companies, or backed by any company for that matter. I simply want to share with all of you what tools, that don't cost an arm and a leg, have made the most drastic difference for me. These are all items that I truly believe in.

Find me on social media!

Instagram: @bentswoodworking
Facebook: Bent's Woodworking

Bent's Woodworking is Proudy Partnered With:
Bits and Bits Company - Save 15% on your order with the code BENTS15
Harvey Woodworking - Go check out the Gyro Air G700!
Omniwall - Save 10% on your order with the code BENTS10

DISCLAIMER - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Kreg Set Up Blocks

Incra Tiny T

24" Bessey Revo Clamp

Grex 23 Gauge Pin Nailer

Festool CXS Drill Set

Bahco Card Scraper

Jessem Clear Cut Stock Guides

Festool Miter saw Hold Down Clamp

Incra Guaranteed Square

Woodpeckers Square

If you want to learn more about my shop apron, check out the website below.

Dragonfly Woodworking and Leather

[GongaDuck]

As someone who just got a shop apron for Father's Day, I can testify to how much more efficient I am having that apron with the things I used to spend time finding once I put it down. It takes a bit to get the habit built up, but once you are used to pulling the pencil and ruler out of the apron to mark where you want to cut, and put it back, it's so worth it. I don't know what I would do without a shop apron now. Love the video, and seeing the items you are putting into that apron is helpful so I can load mine up with the tools that will continue to make my time even more efficient in the shop. Keep up the good work, Jason!

[michael.schuler]

Excellent curation! Pro woodworker and trim carpenter 45 years here. I use most on your list and would add two: Starrett 6" rule No. C604 RE and Woodpecker 4" Aluminum Delve Square. I am never without these on my person.

C604 RE has end markings to 1/2" for setting up bits and blades, and it is exactly 3/4" wide, extremely useful for trim carpentry. The combination of matte finish and deep black long-lasting etching makes it perfectly legible in all lighting conditions, better than any other rule I have ever seen.

The 4" (original) aluminum Delve Square is so compact it can fit in your pants pocket, and the precise thicknesses of its flanges provide instant gauges for 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", and 3/4". The design also enables it to act as a saddle square at both 90 and 45 degs for marking face and edge at once. Plus, it has precise pencil gauge holes 1/8" o.c. and, less useful for my work, typical speed-square style angular markings every 5 degs. Tremendous functionality in a bite-size form factor. (IMO more useful than the fancier and bulkier stainless steel successor later released.)

[dennisw]

A guy I used to work with had an apron similar to yours. People thought he "looked like a dork" . Not me. I've been meaning to get one - especially for inside work simply due to the fact that an ordinary toolbelt has the hammer on the side among other tools. The apron keeps most tools you need to have from bumping into the homeowners furniture . I can't count how many times I've bang a fancy coffee table with my hammer swinging all over the place while carrying in a piece of lumber or other items. Great video. Subscribed

[thefilthelement]

Another benefit to the pin nailer is you can get plastic nails. I use them sometimes to hold material on my CNC and you don't have to worry about the bit hitting it and ruining a good CNC but

[FiddleSticks]

Amen to the pin nailer over the brad. Oddly, I have an old harbor freight variety that never gives me problems.

[JoeSmith-gmul]

Nice job. I'm a beginner and I found the information invaluable.
Sometimes I get lost in the weeds because there is a flood of information available and at
times I find myself way over my head.
I hope you do more like this one.

[lindleyjensen]

Love the shop apron idea! I literally went out and bought 10 measuring tapes, gathered 10 pencils, and 3-speed squares, and left them at every station. By day's end, they were still scattered and the hunt was back on. Thank you for sharing and your videos are awesome.

[anneoreilly]

I've got a lot to learn as a woodworker. Maybe these aren't "starter" tools yet it's nice to learn what's out there. And sometimes I get a solution to a problem I didn't think was fixable at my experience level.

[David]

I have been woodworking for many many years. However, I watch these videos because you never know what you may pick up. No one person knows everything. Thanks for a great video. Because of your video I bought the Incra Tiny T. Great investment!

[jjlynn]

Thank you. I had not seen the table saw fence stock guides. They look quite useful.

[bradleyroe]

To see another woodworker give time to explain some new, or not so new gadgets is always welcome I believe.

[renesaenz]

Thanks so much for this video. I'm a Beginner woodworker this items is a must need.

[Stefano]

Jason Bent: After seeing so many negative comments directed your way, I feel compelled to give you a thumbs-up in support. Most of the woodworking videos I see on YouTube have at least something to teach me, and this one is no exception. Whether to acquire a particular tool you have recommended is a decision each viewer can make for him or herself.

Decades ago, after I bought an old house, I had to go to books to search for information on how to do various repairs and projects. Sometimes there simply was not much info readily available on certain topics. But these days I am amazed at all the online info covering just about any topic I want to explore. Some videos are more helpful than others, but none of them costs me anything to watch, and I am free to stop watching whenever I want.

I am very appreciative for content providers like yourself, who are willing to put their time and energy into sharing their knowledge with others. It must be a huge downer to make the effort to put out a video, and then have to endure an onslaught of critical comments. But hopefully there is enough positive stuff coming your way to make the effort worthwhile. Thanks again!

[xboxvenenifer]

Make your own set up blocks, save a ton of money. Pin nailer is a good buy but buy a multi use nailer. Right angle attachments are easy to counter by planning. It's good if you are repairing. Otherwise, plan your build. The clamps, buy them all. Ask for clamps for Christmas. You need 10 to 15 long ones, and 5 to 10 short ones. The hold down clamp is not required. If you need one, you are using your mitre saw wrong. The stock guides are not required. You can make a jig out of scrap that does the same thing. I like the tiny T but use a caliper. Card scraper is a must, practice with it. Pask makes one out of a saw blade. Check his out. The square is a must. I like the starret. Shop aprons protect your clothes.

[pterafirma]

I love my Banks 23ga pin nailer. It was $29 from Harbor Freight, and has worked perfectly for thousands of hours.

[billcoley]

I have 3 table saws in my shop. One saw I picked up for $50 . It didn’t have a miter gauge nor a fence but it is used with my sled. The second saw I bought for $75. It is a Hitachi C10FL . The motor was not working when I bought it. I got the motor fixed for $155 . I use it for ripping and my dado blades. The third saw is a Bosch work site and I bought it new. It’s my technical fine tuned cuts .

[dannyward]

You have many interesting, helpful and unique videos. This one stands out to me for the handy gadgets that I have been looking for to put up in my beginners wood shop. Still trying to get everything organized, at 70, things come together much slower.

[Techreux]

Spot on about the Pin Nailer! Best tool I ever added (9 years ago)! Right angle drill attachment a necessity.. I'm more partial to a Sheet metal shop square - MUCH cheaper than either tool you showed.. and every bit as accurate. Also, while I agree with the apron, I mostly use a carpenter's tool belt.. holds more tools, and can set up with different config's as the job at hand requires - but, yes, great to have everything at a quick grab! The only tool you didn't mention that is an absolute necessity for me is the Wixey Digital Angle finder.. literally NO guesswork on critical bevels in the table saw anymore! The only other tool I recommend is a VERY high end blade for both table and chop saws. Critical to have smooth cuts, and prevent the "drag" that a dull blade creates (dangerous).
Next addition will be the Jess em's.. bit beyond the budget at the moment..

[web]

bents woodworking, you have one of the best set ups I've seen in wood working and tool set ups, don't listen to all the Trolls that try to be woodworkers with a bunch of ryobi tools and a 2 dollar tape measure. luv the effort and time you put in to your shop, good job brother...

[terrellknight]

Great video, thank you sir! And thank you for your service! I had seen this video once before, and just got a woodcraft giftcard for Christmas, so decided to revisit it. Like others, in no way can I afford a lot of high dollar tools at this juncture in my life, but I am slowly building my woodworking shop and appreciate all the knowledge I can benefit from. I can make do with cheaper versions when need be (got a $35 tool apron this year, b/c of this vid) but I will always be looking for the day when I can afford something nicer, for I can tell the lack in quality. Got a book on the Why and How of woodworking, and can tell it alone will make me a better woodworker by helping me check my approach to woodworking. It should be something we take time and pride in. Nice tools make the work all that much more enjoyable. And that is what I want in the shop. An enjoyable, reflective experience, that makes me a better person, in the end. I am a construction worker who currently uses mostly Ryobi tools! And they are fine, for now, ...got the right angle drill attachment too ;-). Someday I hope to upgrade, but I'm in no rush, and I am learning to appreciate you guys who already have the festool stuff :-) I can and will get the Kreg set up bars with my giftcard, however...tired of using my tape measure to set up my table saw! Sorry for the long post. Just wanted to counter some of the negativity I saw in the comments. Blessings to you and your family, sir!