15 Tools You Should Buy First If You Are A Beginner
After several thoughts about it, you finally decided to jump on to the bandwagon and make your very first woodworking project. Now that the plans are laid, what will be the tools needed to start on the project? That seems to be the first struggle and question novice woodworkers need to answer as there are basically a mammoth of tools you can use in the market today. The tricky part is the screening and choosing process as you cannot possibly have everything all at once. So let us start with the standards and check on these 15 tools you should buy first if you are a beginner.
1. Buy your First Ever Mortise Chisel
Used for carving, cutting and smoothening, you may need to buy yourself at least one standard sized chisel for those purposes. It can always come in handy especially when you have limited tools.
2. And Pair it with a Mallet
While you have your chisel, you will typically need to have a mallet that can go with that. The classic of woodworking, this Thor-approved tool, is used to hit your chisel when cutting and curving joints, typical in most furniture making.
3. Hammer it with a Hammer
Of course you will need a hammer to aid when attaching and joining pieces of wood together with nails. There’ll be no other option to do that, unless you want to resort to using stones to pound the nails. In which case, it is not going to be as safe.
4. The Combination Square as your Measuring Guide
Measurements are a huge and important aspect when building any kind of furniture or any woodworking projects. It is even ensured to be exact with no gray areas as otherwise it will ruin the entire output. Thus, during initial shopping for the tools, make sure to include one like this combination square.
5. Router for the Rabbets
Especially useful with rabbets and finishing edges, a router is very effective and efficient to use when making accurate rabbeting bits in drawers, cabinets, frames and fine furniture. If you are big with little details, then this is one of the must-have.
6. Cut Any Types of Wood With A Circular Saw
Among the many kinds of saw available for various woodworking projects, circular saw is one of those that could typically manage to do all the cutting jobs. Hence, for someone who just jumps in to the world of woodworking, this is one of the first things to buy.
7. Or Use the Jig Saw Instead
Another saw that should be on the top of the list is this jig saw. The ultimate cutter of most kinds of materials, it can be used to cut not just on straight lines but also curves and other shapes. Highly versatile, it works when making bevel cuts too.
8. Jack of All Trades Planer
For smoothening the edges of your work, a planer is needed. While there are many high-end planes available today, you can, however, start with having a jack plane. A real jack of all trades bench plane, it can do several other jobs also like jointing wood edges and rough stock removal.
9. Make Sure to Sharpen your Tools
Sharp tools are the most important factor in woodworking. And we mean really sharp all the time. As it gets dull and brittle with regular use, it is handy to have your sharpening tool and device ready to easily just sharpen and refine the tools when the need arise.
10. The Basic Hand Screw Clamp
As there are an overwhelming number of clamps available in the market, you can start with buying the hand screw clamp first. Clamps are widely used to hold pieces of wood together tightly and firmly as you fasten and join them.
11. The Right Angle Master Sliding Bevel Square
While you think angles are only found in your Math textbook, try woodworking as it is not letting you go with the talks of 90 degrees and measurements of the right angle and such. And so in this case, you will need this bevel square to make sure you are quantifying the exact angle.
12. The Classic Woodworkers’ Tape Measure
Knowing and taking the exact measurement of the lumber and the length and width of the project is crucial. And in woodworking, they have their own tape measure to ensure you are getting everything perfectly right and precise. Even small inconsistencies will create a massive effect on the result. And you may not want to get there and risk ruining your entire work.
13. Licensed Screwdrivers
One of the hand working tools that you should first purchase is the screwdriver. It is handy to use when turning and removing screws, which are commonly used when joining and attaching wood to form the project. While there are apparently many kinds and sizes of this, you can prioritize and buy at least the Philips, which is normally used.
14. Power Drill for a Power Work
We love a good power tool and this drill will make most of your work a breeze. Pick the one that is the most convenient to use for beginners. You might want to do a little research on whether to buy a corded or cordless power drill as well. It is both the same drill but can be different, if that makes sense.
15. Protective Gears Because Safety First
And of course, the protective gears! You don’t go to war unprepared and unprotected because at the end of the day, your health and safety is the utmost priority. Woodworking could get a little messy, and with all those sharp tools, saw dusts and debris that you will be dealing with, you do really need to gear up!
Conclusion
Did you find the list interesting and encouraging to start on a woodworking project or hobby? For a start, you can work with the basic and as much as possible not high-end, as you find your way figuring out and mastering their uses. You can get yourself those ultra-sophisticated and advanced power tools later. And when you do, you will be finding it hard to stop yourself from buying and having all of those different kinds and variety like a kid getting excited and pumped in Disneyland.
Do you have anything to add on the list, which you think is also essential for beginners? You can comment it below. And please share if you like and find this article helpful.
