Tools every woodworker needs | Start Building for under $1000

Now you should make a video building A piece of furniture like a desk table with just the very basic tools you picked that would be great

This is a valuable addition to my woodwork collection youtube.com/post/UgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6… I still will rate this woodwork plan as the best in my reference library. It always seem to stand out from the rest whenever you go through the library. This is a masterpiece.

I just finished building the handrail on my deck youtube.com/post/UgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTP… and used this great little router to clean up the top rail before the final sanding and stain. It was light weight but packed lots of power. Either size battery didn't seem to make it top heavy and I'm a 64 yr old women so I really appreciated how easy it was to use...................... CORDLESS only way to go !!

I would include in the starting kit, even if it means a few extra hundreds :
-eye, hearing and lung protection
-dust collection

I'm a weekend do it yourself chick. For all my large saws and tools, I hit the pawn shops. I've saved tons on great brands. Lots of folks get new saws/tools and for whatever reason they end up there.

S4S Wood - most valuable comment in this video, I feel. Thank you SO MUCH for mentioning it, because it’s never brought up anywhere else.

What about the "furniture maker" Flannel shirt and Beard oil?! That is a must to start!!
Thank you for the info and giving the little guys a game plan.

I was a master electrical/mechanical craftsman. At 72 now, still learning. You are my new professor. Thanks! Steve

I have a full shop setup. If I was starting today I'd try purchasing from Craiglist or Offer up and others. Bought my Jet Cabinet saw for 300.00 10 years ago and a Jet 18" Bandsaw for 250.00. Just keep your eyes open for deals and act fast.

Great video and super helpful. My “workshop” is in my dining room, so I’m unable to use power tools at the moment (unless I have nice weather, which in the UK is very limited). Oh, and just a little tip for your card scraper, Jason. Pop a magnetic strip on it... it helps a lot with the heat.

Wow! Tons of great useful information. I wish i watched this video cuple of years ago. thaks for sharing your knowledge JH.

On the whole track saw thing In my beginnings I just used a circular saw with a piece of angle iron for a straight guide with two clamps 20$ upgrade

Good video and list. Interesting to try to think of a minimalist set of tools like this.

You can make furniture with those tools, but often overlooked is the time you need to spend building your shop first. If you just buy those tools, the first thing you should start making is shop furniture (which I suppose is furniture making lol). Make outfeed and side tables for the small table saw, a stand for the miter saw, and a workbench with stock holding (dogs, etc. - and it‘s worth it to buy a decent vise).

You‘ll also need to make some jigs - a crosscut sled is a really early must-have and not hard to make at all.

I think you can do w/o the miter saw early on for most things, but I‘d add a larger framing square and combination square and ditch the tiny speed square (and be careful with speed squares, cheap brands are often inaccurate).

Also, get a shop vac if you don‘t have one. Eventually a dust collector, but you need a decent shop vac to start.

I‘d also add at least one decent chisel and a hammer - if starting out, get a chisel that is designed to be hit with a hammer or get a mallet too (or make one, not hard).

And of course, drill bits and driver bits. And consumables (glue, fasteners, etc.)

It reminds me of something I once heard a woodworker say. You tell someone you have a shop. They ask you, “what do you build in your shop?”. The answer - “my shop!”. =p

Thank you! I am so grateful for this inspired and extremely useful and practical rundown of essentials. You included some basic information which i desperately needed. I wonder if you could do or would do a video on individual groups of tools i.e. drills for example, to include all the bits and adapters and etc. I don’t know what half of them are for. Saws same. Very basic I know but think of it this way, get those newbies now and you’ll have them forever! 😬 Anyway, the style, knowledge, professionalism, editing, decor, humor, content, make your channel the whole package. Thanks for being you. 😉

great work. lots of insights, especially for us weekend warriors! for your clamping section, i'd add ratchet or strap-style clamps. you can get a nice long vinyl strap for wrapping around large projects and, if you're careful, get a lot of clamping pressure in the right places with just a few of them. otherwise, thanks for the video!


edit: i'd also say that good table saw jigs can replace the chop/miter saw with great results; i have a decent table saw and have been able to work around getting a miter saw for several years now

Loving your videos. I am Scottish builder and finally setting up my own woodworking garage have picked up lots of tips so many thanks

You have make some Grest Videos during this pandemic I've learned and improved my home skills. Thanks

I cannot say this enough. Started following you on IG and am very grateful that you are doing more here. Please keep this going! Super helpful and very funny!

Great Job. You've just helped a lot of Beginners that will Grow to Very Advanced awesome.

Awesome video. A very detailed and pragmatic list. I can simply bookmark this and just work my way through it to get setup.