The First 5 Hand Tools Every Beginner Woodworker Should Buy

These are the first 5 hand tools, in order, that a beginner woodworker should buy. This will help you get started woodworking and pick the right tools for your projects. Knowing the must-have hand tools for woodworking can be confusing when you first start out. This video is a beginners guide to woodworking tools. This video is not sponsored. Some product links are Amazon and other affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission. This helps support my channel so I can continue to make content like this.

*Videos To Watch Next*

Tape Measures:

Squares:
Woodpeckers In-Dexable Square -

Clamps:

Chisels:

Mallets:

Flush Trim Saws:

Other Tools/Equipment I Use and Recommend:

Join this channel to get access to perks:

#woodworking #woodworkingtools #handtools

[Woodworks]

▼EXPAND FOR TOOL LINKS and INFO▼
Tape Measures:
Squares:
Woodpeckers In-Dexable Square -
Clamps:
Chisels:
Mallets:
Flush Trim Saws:


Check this video's description for links to all the videos I discussed.

If you use one of these Amazon and other affiliate links, I may receive a commission

Some other useful links:

[peanutpower]

My dad is a welder/fabricator. When he taught me to weld and build things he said to always use the same tape measure for the entire project, that way you avoid the differences they all have.

[scootermcduder]

Pro tip for buying pipes for your clamps: buy twice as long and ask Home Depot to cut them in half for you. They don’t charge and now you have two for much less than buying them individually. (You really only need threads on one side)

[grbggaming]

I have a lot of different tapes but my favorite that I use more than anything is my Stanley FatMax mini. Small, light, and cheap to replace. Freaking love that thing lol

[pt]

I'd suggest that the tape measure really depends on what kind of woodworking you're wanting to do. A 6-12ft measure is a lot nicer than a 25ft if you're not making anything that large. I have more 6's and 9's than 25's by far.

And as far as chisels, I got an Irwin set about equivalent to that budget Narex (wish they had those long ago) and I always hated them - until I learned to sharpen them. They were probably never sharp, so they were terrible until I fixed that.

[kenerickson]

I love the lefty/righty. I was measuring how much material I needed to cut for a countertop I was building for a Habitat for Humanity kitchen with a standard tape measure. Of course, to numbers were upside down and I was about to cut 85" instead of 58" that I needed. Fortunately, I figured out my error before making a cut. I bought 1 for me and one for another guy on the crew. The only thing I don't like is that the side without the writing surface is all black and hides in plain sight when I lay it down. I spray painted the one side with yellow.

[ST-]

Swanson sells a speed square combo which includes the original 7" speed square and a 4-1/2" mini trim speed square for under $18. A very budget friendly way to get both.

[wortheffort]

Did you check that Swanson for "square". Odds are it's out. You can square their plastic versions with a plane.

[TnT_FX]

Let's see what I'm missing that can make everything easier... a metal ruler was the last great thing I added to my tool tub.
Tape measures are wobbly and you dont always need a square... Corked metal ruler is handy for marking

[alexkunnen]

I LOVE Japanese pull saws should be higher on the list they are so nice to use!

[beccamayberry]

Swanson metal speed square for the win, got one couple years ago after you recommended it

[Damon_Barber]

I kind of feel like a simple miter saw box kit should have made that list. Easy to use and great for beginners looking to make straight and common angle cuts on small dimensional lumber.

[kenshores]

Your comment regarding fence for a framing square is really good. All the F bar clamps I own are Jorgensen. My first set of chisels was Craftsman. I have wanted a set of 3 Cherries.

[Ekrindul]

I use the lefty/righty fastcap tape measure. Love em.

[RicardoHernández-gi]

Uncle Matt, the Dewalt set of 3 chisels is a good buy for a novice like me, or the Irwin set of 3 as well, they are similar in price...

[kevinmartin]

I got the fast cap tape measure because I saw in a previous video. That thing is awesome and the built in sharpener is very handy.

[eloscuro]

There is another type of "clamp" that is very useful - barbells. Buy some 5 and 10 pound weights. I have had many projects where I couldn't get a typical clamp to work. Either I didn't have access to the other side, or the angle was weird. So after glue up, I just set these weights on top at the appropriate angle. Provides all of the "clamping" forces needed for a good glue up.

[chapbix]

I have a centering tape measure which I find useful for projects where that is useful.

[saprious]

This is how I do church! 731 video comes out bright and early and I am ready for the Sunday lesson.

[cemoore]

How come you do not do project videos very often any more? It seems like most of your videos are about products. I started watching you because of the furniture you used to make ... especially the bread box coffee table. More projects please!!