10 Handy Beginners Woodworking Tools (The Essentials)

Woodworking can be both a useful and enjoyable hobby. After all, it can be used to fix and build furniture that you can add to your home. Moreover, many people like the satisfaction that they get from fixing or making something.

So if you want to become a woodworker, it’s important to invest in the right tools. These woodworking tools can be used to get you started!

Table of Contents

1. Clamps

In woodworking, clamps are used to keep objects in place. This way, you can guarantee that your cuts are clean and accurate. As you can imagine, this comes in handy for numerous woodworking projects.

You may want to buy a set of clamps. This is because it can’t hurt to have lots of clamps, since they are used in so many woodworking projects. Not to mention, you can save money by purchasing sets of clamps.

As a beginner, you won’t need to buy a massive clamp set. Instead, a pack of approximately 10 clamps should be more than enough. These clamps can be commonly found in DIY stores.

As with many of the tools on this list, there are different types of clamps, each with its own unique uses. This includes pipe clamps, parallel clamps, and ratchet clamps. Pipe clamps are perhaps the best for beginner woodworkers.

2. Chisel Set

Chisels are one of the most useful woodworking tools out there. This is because they are used in the majority of woodworking jobs, especially at the beginner level.

A chisel is a type of cutting tool. It is used to carve wood thanks to a sharpened edge. They can be used to carve unique shapes into wood.

It’s worth spending some money on a high-quality chisel set. Because of the usefulness of these tools, the market has become flooded with poor-quality versions.

If you get lumped with one of these flimsy chisels, your early woodworking experience will not be fun.

Ideally, you should get a set of chisels, as different varieties have different uses. For instance, mortise chisels are specifically designed for making this joint. Meanwhile, beveled edge chisels are incredibly versatile.

If you are searching for an outstanding chisel set, we recommend the Grebstk set.

3. Mallet

A mallet is similar to a hammer in that they are both tools used for striking. But a mallet is generally used to apply a softer force to an object. Plus, while hammers tend to have heads made from metal, mallets are usually made from wood, rubber, or leather.

If you want to broaden your woodworking skills, it’s a good idea to purchase both a hammer and a mallet. Since they won’t leave any striking marks and they apply less force than hammers, mallets are amazing for connecting joints.

Not to mention, it can be quite fun to use a mallet. There’s just something so satisfying about this striking tool.

As a beginner, it’s important to remember that you should use a mallet on chisels instead of a hammer.

4. Combination Square

Up next, a combination square is a vital tool for marking woodworking joints. It is made up of a roller and an adjustable head. The reason why we recommend that novice woodworkers use this tool is that it is highly versatile.

Since achieving a 90 or 45-degree angle is important in many joints, you will likely get lots of use out of your combination square.

You must invest in a good combination square. This is because a slight mistake in these measurements could be extremely frustrating.

You should also bear in mind that combination squares come in varying sizes. Generally, we suggest acquiring a 12-inch combination square, as this is the most useful variety.

5. Hand Saw

Now we’re getting into the more dangerous tools! Hand saws have been used to cut wood for thousands of years. Thanks to their sharp blades, hand saws are excellent for woodworking.

However, you should bear in mind that hand saws can be a little time-consuming to use. So if you want to speed up the process, you might want to invest in a table saw.

The advantage of hand saws is that they are super simple to use. So even beginners can start using them with minimal experience. You also won’t have to worry about cords getting in the way.

Even tools as simple as hand saws come in different designs. When buying a handsaw, you may want to spend a little extra money. This is because cheap hand saws tend to have dull blades.

Of course, you don’t need to spend a fortune on your hand saw, as even high-quality versions can still be very affordable.

The Japanese saw is a type of saw that is particularly popular amongst woodworkers. They provide excellent results without being too costly.

6. Orbital Sander

While you’re likely familiar with many of the aforementioned woodworking tools, random orbit sanders are a little more niche.

Sanding is an important part of woodworking. This is because sanders are designed to remove the rough texture of wood, resulting in a smooth finish. Plus, sanding can enhance the aesthetics of wood and make it feel more uniform.

Random orbit sanders are superior to standard sanders because these random movements give the wood a smoother feel. Thanks to fast rotations, random orbit sanders are very effective at their job.

Larger random orbit sanders will be perfect for bigger woodworking projects, such as sanding cabinets.

But if you are a novice who only wants to work on smaller projects, it might be worth getting a smaller random orbit sander. This is because large units can be quite expensive.

7. Tape Measure

It may sound obvious to state that a tape measure is required for woodworking, but you would be surprised by how easy it is to overlook one of these objects.

This way, you can be sure that everything you make has been accurately measured. As a woodworker, you should have a handy measuring tape on your belt at all times. They’re widely available in DIY and home improvement stores.

Retractable tapes are the best measuring tool that a woodworker can use. If you are searching for a good brand for this product, we advise using a DeWalt tape measure. This brand produces durable tape measures, such as this 30-inch product.

8. Power Drill

Power drills are enjoyable to use, though you may require some training to get used to one. It’s recommended that every household has a power drill, as this tool can be used in so many situations. Even if you rarely do DIY, power drills can be worthwhile.

Power drills may be utilized to dig holes into wood or to insert screws. But they also have many more uses, resulting in power drills being a must-have for woodworkers.

As a beginner, you will need to decide whether you want to go for a corded or cordless model. There are advantages and disadvantages to both forms.

Cordless models are a lot more convenient since the cord won’t get in your way. Moreover, they are portable and can be used in difficult-to-reach situations.

However, corded power drills tend to have increased power. Plus, they are usually more affordable than cordless drills. Yet, they have to be plugged into a socket, which can be irritating.

9. Hammer

As mentioned, woodworkers should invest in both a hammer and a mallet. While these two objects perform similar functions, they actually have quite distinct uses.

Hammers are one of the most widely used woodworking tools. For instance, they are used to drive and pull nails. This sums up the basic functions of a hammer: to pull and strike.

A hammer is a tool that you won’t have to spend much money on. Even cheap hammers can be amazing. Not to mention, it’s incredibly easy to get your hands on a hammer and most people will already have one in their possession.

You should opt for a general-purpose tool, as some types of hammers, such as blocking hammers, have more specific uses. We recommend going for a ball-peen, framing, or claw hammer.

10. Portable Table Saw

Table saws are brilliant cutting tools that guarantee precision. These tables come with a built-in circular blade that easily cuts through wood.

Portable table saws are one of the more expensive items on this list, so you must be prepared to splash a little cash on this tool. Yet, they are still cheaper than full-sized table saws.

The portability of these table saws is one of the main advantages. They are straightforward to store and won’t take up much space in your woodworking garage. In addition, you can take your portable table saw wherever it’s needed!

Final Thoughts

Woodworking is a wonderful activity to get involved with. Even beginners can easily pick up this skill. As a beginner, you must obtain the essential equipment before you move on to more specialist pieces.

Otherwise, you can end up spending a lot of money on woodworking tools that you only use once!