Essential Hand Tools Every New Woodworker Should Own
Skip the gadgets and start here. We list the essential hand tools for measuring, sawing, chiseling, and assembly, plus what to buy used and what to skip.
Ellie Ford
Tools & Workshop Writer
Ellie Ford
Ellie builds furniture in a small garage shop and has strong, hard-won opinions about which tools earn their space. She tests gear on real projects and is refreshingly honest about when the budget option is all most people will ever need.
Articles
8 articles by Ellie
Ellie Ford
Cordless Drill Buying Guide for the Home Workshop
Voltage, brushless motors, chuck size, and kits explained. Our buying guide helps you choose a cordless drill and driver that fits real projects.
Ellie Ford
Sharpening Chisels: A Simple Waterstone Routine
A sharp chisel changes everything. Follow a repeatable waterstone routine for flattening backs, honing bevels, and stropping to a keen edge.
Ellie Ford
Track Saws vs. Table Saws for Breaking Down Sheet Goods
Breaking down plywood alone? Compare track saws and table saws for accuracy, safety, and space, so you can pick the right tool for sheet goods.
Ellie Ford
Setting Up Dust Collection in a One-Car Garage Shop
Protect your lungs without a huge system. Learn how to size a shop vac or dust collector, route hoses, and add cyclone separation on a budget.
Ellie Ford
Router vs. Router Table: What Beginners Actually Need
Handheld router or router table first? We break down the jobs each handles best, plus a starter bit set and safety tips for new woodworkers.
Ellie Ford
Hand Planes Explained: Choosing Your First Three
Confused by bench plane numbers? We explain what a jack, smoother, and jointer each do, and which three planes to buy first on a modest budget.
Ellie Ford
The Best Benchtop Table Saws for Small Shops
We compare compact benchtop table saws on power, fence quality, and safety. Find the best pick for tight garages and mobile job-site setups.
Ellie Ford