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Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned craftsman, having the right tools can make all the difference in woodworking. From cutting to sanding, quality gear helps you work more efficiently, accurately, and safely. In this guide, we review the best woodworking tools to help you find the best ones for your next project.
Top 5 Woodworking Tools
- Best Planer: DEWALT Thickness Planer
- Best Table Saw: DEWALT Table Saw
- Best Cabinet Saw: SawStop Cabinet Saw
- Best Workbench: Keter Workbench
- Best Sander: Bosch Palm Sander
Best Planer: DEWALT Thickness Planer
DEWALT Thickness Planer
- $728.99
- $799
- 9% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has a 13-inch blade
- Plugs into a wall outlet
- Weighs 101 pounds
- Measures 24 by 22 by 18 inches
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were satisfied with the relatively low noise level and easy instructions and setup of this planer. They mentioned the quality finish that the planer left on their wood. However, some reviewers complained about the planer’s heaviness and how quickly its knives dulled.
Best Table Saw: DEWALT Table Saw
DEWALT Table Saw
- $549
- $669
- 18% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has a 10-inch blade
- Plugs into a wall outlet
- Weighs 110 pounds
- Measures 31 by 24.5 by 31 inches
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews highlighted this table saw’s power, portability, and durability. The saw’s stand was well-designed, according to multiple users. On the other hand, some customers thought that the saw was loud—even with hearing protection—and that the table surface was small.
Best Cabinet Saw: SawStop Cabinet Saw
SawStop Cabinet Saw
- $4,000
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has a 10-inch blade
- Plugs into a wall outlet
- Weighs 525 pounds
- Measures 85.25 by 33 by 34 inches
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Ratings for this cabinet saw were primarily positive, with customer reviews highlighting its powerful motor and smooth cuts. However, the saw’s high price tag was a pain point for some customers.
Best Workbench: Keter Workbench
Keter Workbench
- $109.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Weighs 26.95 pounds
- Measures 33.46 by 21.65 by 4.41 inches
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers cited the quick setup, sturdiness, and low profile of this workbench in their positive reviews. They also stated that the workbench was light enough to lift and move to another spot. However, some customers had issues with the bar clamps not sliding smoothly along the workbench.
Best Sander: Bosch Palm Sander
Bosch Palm Sander
- $59
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has a 5-inch disc
- Plugs into a wall outlet
- Weighs 3.5 pounds
- Measures 9 by 5 by 6 inches
- Comes with a one-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Users thought this sander delivered smooth, reliable performance, especially considering its affordable price. Reviewers also appreciated the variable range feature and the thick, heavy power cord. However, some customers didn’t like how loud the sander was.
Buying Guide for Woodworking Tools
Depending on the woodworking projects you’re undertaking, you may need different tools of varying sizes, powers, and materials. To make choosing your tools or gifts for a woodworker easier, consider the following factors.
Type
There are many types of woodworking tools, but some of the most common include the following:
- Chisels
- Circular saws
- Drills
- Hammers
- Impact drivers
- Jigsaws
- Planers
- Rasps
- Sanders
- Table saws
- Tape measures
- Workbenches
Decide what tools you need for your upcoming project and buy them before you start if you don’t already have them.
Material
Woodworking tools are made from many materials. Plastic and metal are common. Metal is more durable, while plastic is more lightweight.
Versatility
Many woodworking tools are built for specific purposes, but some offer multiple functions. If you are strapped for space or have a limited budget, consider buying a woodworking tool that accomplishes many tasks.
Ease of Use
Even if you’re an expert carpenter, you still want tools that are easy to set up and use to get your project done faster. Read customer reviews if you’re unsure whether the tool you’re considering is easy to use.
How To Become a Better Woodworker
If you’re new to the world of woodworking, there’s a lot to learn—but don’t be intimidated. If you’re an experienced woodworker, a refresher can’t hurt. Below, we’ve outlined some basic but useful pointers to help you maximize your new woodworking tools.
- Know the moisture content of your wood before you begin. Wood that’s too dry is brittle, and wood that’s too damp can shrink or warp. Using a moisture meter is an easy way to ensure that your wood is at an appropriate moisture level.
- If you’re a visual learner, check out woodworking videos to watch woodworkers tackle various projects with different techniques.
- Work on a project with an experienced woodworker. Even if you don’t want to make a career out of woodworking, you can learn a lot from a carpenter.
- Maintain a clean workspace. Put your tools in an organized tool chest or toolbox once you’re done using them. Clean the surface of your workbench with baby wipes.
- Keep the blades of your woodworking instruments sharp. Sharp blades make for safer woodworking and cleaner, more precise cuts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Woodworking Tools
What woodworking tools do I need?
The woodworking tools you need will depend on your skill level, workspace, and project. A workbench is essential for any woodworking space, so start there. You’ll want to invest in various saws for cutting and a drill and impact driver for assembling.
How do I use woodworking tools?
If you’re new to woodworking, take the time to learn how each tool works before you start using it. Tools often come with owner manuals, but you can also find online tutorials that go over the basics.
What safety equipment should I wear for woodworking?
Regardless of the woodworking tool you’re using, you need work gloves, safety glasses, work boots, and tight-fitting clothes. If you’re working with power tools, you can up the protection with ear plugs or muffs and a face mask.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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