Beginner's Guide to Woodworking Tools You Must Have!

If you're a beginning woodworker and wondering what tools to get, this video will show you the first woodworking tools you should be looking for. I also explain what you're going to do with those tools and what to do if you have all of the beginner tools and are ready for the next step. The brand is less important especially at the beginning when you are learning and gaining skills; you can get more brand specific later on. Also, you don't have to buy the power tools new; used tools often work just as well... as long as they are functional!
Note: These are recommendations are for power tools only. Hand tools are another category entirely.

00:00 Intro
01:04 Basic Woodworking Operations
02:24 Circular Saw
03:36 Miter Saw
04:39 Jigsaw
05:25 Drill Driver
06:58 Random Orbital Sander
07:52 Shop Vac
08:24 Palm Router
09:19 Level UP Tools

BEGINNING TOOLS:

INTERMEDIATE TOOLS:

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I am an engineer by day and a woodworker by night... usually after the kids are in bed and before the neighbors call the cops!

I have a passion for building things out of wood and all things woodworking. I am always looking for new projects that look fun and challenging. My woodworking inspiration comes from my kids, my wife, and the forests around my house. I consider myself a serious hobbyist and I hope you can learn something and get inspired from the projects and mistakes that I make. I will also show you how I organize and work in my small shop in 1 bay of my garage. I will share videos of my past, current, and future woodworking projects with the goal of getting you out in the shop making sawdust!

[EveningWoodworker]

Is this a good list or do you think I missed something? What are the best tools you think are needed to get started or to level up in woodworking?

[manatag]

I've watched a dozen videos about this subject, but yours is the most informative and concise one! Thank you!

[paulallen]

This is the most concise video that I have seen out there. So helpful.

[malcolmhiho]

Great video and excellent explanations.

[WilliePheeler]

As I haven't done any woodworking in 35yrs..Have been watching a lot of videos.. definitely like yours the most.. keep them coming.. can't wait to get my new clamp shirt!

[TexanWoodworks]

Great video man! Very accurate description on terms of needs vs wants.

[anthonydandrea]

I just watched your video and as a skilled professional in the auto industry for many years and now getting into wood working with all the tools ( except a joiner) I totally get you, and the way you explain things, I am thinking you are a teacher and I am impressed with your delivery

[bansheeindahouz]

I appreciate the reasoning behind the purchase of those tools depending on where a person is at in their journey. Good stripped down & methodical explanation!

[kathy]

I appreciate this little tutorial so much. Basic info I've been seeking! Much Thanks!

[chuckgrumble]

chisels for sure, hearing protection, marking gauges, card scrapers, files, good square and layout tools-straight edge, many clamps, block plane, whetstones or granite slab if using sandpaper to sharpen (bench grinder), self centering nix bits for predrilling holes + counter sink drill bits, marking knife (surgical type), bevel gauge, good .05 or .07 mechanical pencil, dust separator for shop vac ( you did mention bag), finishing paste waste or make your own beeswax/mineral oil, a lot of cheap practice wood. I did notice you said you can buy wood already with a straight edge but you rarely find good conditioned pieces in big box stores, most I have bought are twisted like a dogs hind leg so that is where the need for a planer and jointer comes in. In reality you do not need a lot of this stuff but some on my list I wouldn't want to be without as I like to mix hand tools with power.

[strale]

The list is almost complete. My track saw is probably the most usefull tool when working with sheets of ply and getting a straight edge on sawn lumber.
What helped me with my limited space is:
The Festool CS 70 trimming saw. It is a table saw that can to some extend replace a mitre saw and saves a lot of space (but not money, unfortunately).

Additionally look at the db spec of your dust collection, had to move mine into a cabinet for noise reduction. It was way louder than my planer / thicknesser.
Buy the vacuum with the bigger dust bin, a table saw / track saw / router table will fill it up in no time.
A cheap biscuit joiner woud fit into the level up side. Helps with aligning mitre joints and is even usefull if you upgrade to a domino.
And clamps. Buy all of them. Band clamps, hand clamps, pipe clamps and heavy duty ones in case you work with solid wood.

[ImmanuelWoodworking]

Man so organized and well composed! Great!

[PrinceWesterburg]

I can't rate your channel high enough - Subbed!!! :D

[danham]

This is a fantastic video!! We just had a huge steel shop built on our 10 acres and on 35’x12’ wing is entirely for the wood shop. I have completed the electrical, lighting, insulation, furring for drywall and am drywalling the lid now. Honestly, my wife is the main woodworker as she has a vintage furniture and crafting business which includes many wood projects. We will soon be setting it up and although we already have many of the beginner tools and a few of the intermediate ones, we will be getting more of the intermediate as we go to set up this shop. I really like your videos. Very clear, simple and easy to understand. Just what I need! 🤣. I will be building most of the benches &tables so should be fun. The biggest takeaway from most vids I’ve watched is put as many of the benches, tables and floor standing tools on the casters w/built in lifters for practical mobile use and for cleaning. Always look fwd to your next video. 😃👍🏼💪🏼

[Lutzboater]

A great explanation on wood working tools for a novice. Your thoughts on which tools to start and perhaps move up to, is excellent advice for a newby to the craft. Well done !!

[barrywhittingham]

As you finished on it - a really essential tool (and one you can never have enough of) is CLAMPS.

[didanoff]

Thanks, exactly what I need right now!!!

[leyderness]

Great video, good place to start. Excellent production and explanation.

[johnnyquist]

Great video. I agree with you Years ago I was employed on a fairly big project, and I was provided with a high-quality radial arm saw. That machine was absolutely wonderful in accomplishing so many different kinds of wood-working tasks. I don't see them too often anymore.

[joannamartin]

I’d add a square square to get those tools and cuts set up properly. Love the list and your videos!