top of page
Antony Akabah

10 Essential Tools for Starting a Woodworking Hobby: A Simple Guide

Updated: Jul 21, 2023


A selection of tools including electric drill, tape measure & more...
Essential Tools for Starting in Woodworking

Starting a hobby in woodworking can be an exciting and fulfilling endeavour. To get started, you'll need some basic tools that will help you with various woodworking tasks. Here are the top 10 essential tools you'll need:

  1. Tape Measure: A tape measure - essential for measuring and marking wood accurately. Look for a durable tape measure with both imperial and metric measurements.

  2. Circular Saw: A circular saw is a versatile power tool that can make straight cuts in wood. It's great for cutting boards and plywood to size.

  3. Chisels: Chisels are used for carving and shaping wood. A basic set of chisels with different sizes and shapes will allow you to do various woodworking tasks.

  4. Hammer: A claw hammer is used for driving and removing nails. Look for one with a comfortable grip and a weight that suits your preference.

  5. Screwdriver Set: A set of screwdrivers with different sizes and types (e.g., flathead, Phillips) will be handy for assembling and disassembling wood projects.

  6. Woodworking Hand Plane: A hand plane is used for smoothing and shaping wood surfaces. Look for a block plane or a bench plane, depending on your needs and budget.

  7. Power Drill: A power drill is a versatile tool that can be used for drilling holes, driving screws, and more. Look for one with multiple speed settings and a variety of drill bits.

  8. Woodworking Clamps: Clamps are used to hold wood pieces together while glue dries or when you need to secure workpieces for cutting or drilling. A variety of clamps, including bar clamps, C-clamps, and pipe clamps, will come in handy.

  9. Safety Gear: Safety should be a top priority in woodworking. Invest in safety gear such as safety glasses, ear protection, and dust masks to protect yourself from potential hazards.

  10. Sanding Tools: Sanding is an important step in woodworking to achieve smooth surfaces. You'll need sandpaper, a sanding block or a power sander to help you with this task.

These are some of the basic tools you'll need to get started with woodworking as a hobby. As you progress and gain experience, you may need to add more tools to your collection based on your specific projects and needs. Remember to always prioritise safety and start with simple projects to hone your skills before moving on to more complex woodworking tasks.


Be sure to make full use of woodworking plans for woodworking projects with already done-for-you step by step blueprints. A good one to start with is Teds Woodworking. They offer plans which are detailed enough to leave nothing to guesswork, yet simple enough for beginners & with complete instructions from start to finish. Click for more details.


Happy woodworking!


Related Articles:

  • How to Start Woodworking - For Beginners

  • Woodworking: Essential Tools List - Amazon

  • Difference Between the Various Types of Grits and Sandpaper


Helpful Resources:

3 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Commentaires


bottom of page