Just as a painter needs all sorts of brushes and tools to give them a wide range of artistic freedom and expertise, aspiring woodworkers need certain tools to turn their hobby into an art form. If you’re someone just getting into woodworking, this article should be helpful. Here’s everything an amateur woodworker needs to have. All these tools are easy to acquire from woodworking supply companies.

Woodworking saws

A table saw is likely the most iconic piece of equipment any woodworker will use. While you don’t need every kind of saw, it’s crucial to know about the different saw types available to you and what functions fit your needs the best.

• Circular saws: The circular saw is the most basic and common type. These saws tear through wood efficiently, allowing you to create boards with clean, straight edges. Circular saws come with three types of variations: ripping blades, crosscut blades, and combination blades. These feature different kinds of teeth best suited towards cutting with or against the grain.
• Jigsaws: Jigsaws are endlessly convenient handheld electric saws. Instead of rotating, the blade moves in an up and down motion. This design allows for cuts that are more intricate and curved. The jigsaw blades are either fine-tooth blades or coarse-tooth blades. The former type is ideal for sawing veneers, while the latter is perfect for rough and fast work.
• Handsaws: Sometimes, a manual touch is necessary. Thus handsaws always have a place in your workshop. They’re easy to use for quick and simple tasks. Handsaws allow for a greater amount of precision without being as cumbersome as heavy-duty saws.

There are more saws for you to explore, but these three are good starters when considering everything an amateur woodworker needs to have.

Filing, planing, and sanding tools

Filing, planing, and sanding tools are the finer brushes of your arsenal. After you cut your wood into a rough shape, these tools clean and refine the boards for a more attractive and finished appearance. Even wood pieces cut with the finest saw blade will still need some filing, planing, or sanding to look nice and clean.

Handheld files and planes are perfect for working out the imperfections of your boards. While you’ll likely have a variety of files to fit the job, a jack planer will be a good tool for a beginner to have, as it’s the “jack-of-all-trades" of planers—hence the name. As for sanders, an electric orbital sander is typically the recommended tool of choice.

Assembly tools

Putting together your wood into furniture, appliances, and any other projects will necessitate tools that are likely familiar to you. Hammers, mallets, screw guns, power drills, and measuring tools are all essentials for any tool kit, and they should be easy for you to come across. Though such a toolset is part of any basic kit, it should allow you to tackle most challenges and last a long time.