First Things First

A good workbench is a must. True it is not a hand tool but necessary unless you want to work sitting on the floor. Cheapest way is to build one (and you should build one that is just right for you) but day one you probably won’t know what is right for you. It is not cheaper to build your own bench but after you have mastered certain skill and know the path you intend to follow you will be able to build the one best suited to your needs. Harbor Freight has good beginners workbench for around $200 (less with their frequent 20% off coupons). Later when you build your own workbench you can repurpose the HF one. I added wheels to mine and it serves as an outfeed table for my table saw and an infeed table for my bandsaw when I am doing resawing.

My HF Workbench

Simple Hand Tools

You probably already have all of theses, if not then I suggest a quick visit to your local thrift store. Grainger makes many fine tools but save your money until you build up your skills.

• One or more hammers (learn what the different hammers are for)
• Many screwdrivers (more is better) much more on this later
• Multiple tape measures (they need to be checked against one another (I have 5 in my shop and another 5 spared about my house.
• Flashlight and magnetic tool (nails and screws will escape along with tools)
• Pliers in all shapes and sizes, wire cutters and stripper, hemostats, vise grips]
• Various hex wrenches (known as Allen Wrenches in the dim times).
• Good first aid kit. Keep it handy, you will need it.
• Smoke detector and a fire extinguisher.

Less Simple Tools

Saws

You will need several saws but again not all at once. I would start with a good panel saw ~$100 at Amazon, probably cheaper locally. Thrift store and garage sales are an option but you may have to sharpen and set the saw to make it usable. Crosscut saw and coping saws will be handy too.

Other Saws

A Japanese hand saw is almost a must. It is often easier to use especially on smaller projects

Back Saw

A backsaw is any hand saw which has a stiffening rib on the edge opposite the cutting edge, enabling better control and more precise cutting than with other types of saws. Backsaws are normally used in woodworking for precise work, such as cutting dovetails, mitres, or tenons in cabinetry and joinery. Handy but you probably won’t need it often. Cost $10 to $100.

Coping Saw

Coping saws are absolutely necessary occasionally. Handy for removing waste after doing chisel work. Great for removing wood from the center of a board. Buy one at the thrift store ($2.00) buy new blades from your local hardware store.

Planes

Nice to have but not necessary to have all three of these at once from top to bottom: Spokeshave, Block Plane, Jack Plane. When visiting your local thrift store and garage sales keep an eye out for these items. Paul Sellers is a great resource if you are interesting in mastering these tools. I would get the Spokeshave first.

Squares

You are going to need a number of squares small medium and large. Thrift store is the best place to begin. You can find these for $2 there. They are very handy when trying to align things. From left to right, Framing Square, Mechanics Square, Combination-Square. Any square you own should be tested for “squareness”, The Combinations-square is often the most inaccurate but very handy for maintaining consistency during assembly and glue ups. As your skill advance making your own mechanics square is a fun project (do a Google search for a video).

This is a bevel or angle setter. You can find them at thrift stores or make one for yourself to show off your skills. Used to determine angles and to copy angles from one place to another without actually knowing the angle.

Levels

Whether you’re building a bookshelf, hanging a picture or making sure the rain will flow off of your new deck, a level is a must have. You will need small medium and large. The combination square returns to assist with 45 degree angles.

Tool Box(es)

If you don’t want your tools to get lost, you need somewhere to keep them. I have ten or more tool boxes, mostly just for convenience one large one similar to the Milwaukee one show in the photo and a tool bag or two. When you feel your skills are right, you should build a small wooden tool box.

More Tools

There are more tools. You don’t need to have every tool. I will talk about some more esoteric tools in later blogs.