These are the tools I use all the time for my woodworking projects. It’s probably not an exhaustive list, but it should give you a really good idea of what I’m working with.
People sometimes ask me how I was able to obtain all of these tools. The answer is: Very slowly…over a looooong period of time. I’ve been collecting tools for over 15 years.
If you’re just getting started out and feel like it’s impossible to build an awesome collection of tools, just remember that you don’t need to buy them all at once. You only need enough to complete your current project. After many projects, you’ll have lots of tools, and over that time, you will have also acquired the skills required to use them. If you’ve already been collecting tools for a while…then you know what I’m talking about ?
When possible, I’ll try to provide an Amazon link in case you’re interested in buying one of these items.
Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links! When you use one of these links to buy something, I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you), which helps to keep me busy making videos and working on this website!
Homemade Stuff
- My DIY Workbench
- My DIY All-in-One Board Milling Station
- My DIY Toolbox
- My DIY Drill Powered Lathe
- My DIY Drill Powered Disc Sander
- My DIY Vise Mounted Router Table
- My DIY Angle Grinder Chop Saw
- My DIY Drill Press Vise
- My DIY Circular Saw Track
- My DIY Jointer Push Grips
Bigger Tools
- DeWalt DW745 15-Amp 10″ Compact Job Site Table Saw
- DeWalt DW715 15-Amp 12″ Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
- DeWalt DW735 Planer – with regular steel blades, no helical head upgrade………..yet 😉
- Porter Cable PC160JT Bench Jointer
- Cummins 1979 1/2 HP Drill Press (Holding it for a buddy that moved onto a boat. Thanks Torey!)
- Craftsman 1/2 HP Bandsaw from way back when. (Holding it for friend that had too many bandsaws. Thanks Jeremy!)
Corded Handheld Power Tools
- Skill HD77 15-Amp 7 & 1/4″ Circular Saw (probably 30 years old, a hand-me-down. Thanks Jeff!)
- Ryobi Jigsaw. My version is no longer available, but you can get a similar one here.
- Ryobi Router (non-plunge style). No longer available…you probably want a plunge style anyway 😉 For my next router, I’ve got my eye on the DeWalt DWP611.
- Black and Decker Orbital Sander (Cheapo from the Depot)
- DeWalt Drill (old from a pawnshop, but still kickin’ hard!)
- Black and Decker Drill (Cheapo from the Depot)
Cordless Handheld Power Tools
- DeWalt DCS570B 20V Cordless Circular Saw with Brake
- DeWalt DCD777C2 20V Max Lithium-Ion Brushless Compact Drill Driver (I actually have 2 of these – each w/ 2 batteries)
- Ryobi P277 One+ 18 Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Drill (This listing doesn’t include batteries…mine was part of a kit)
Pneumatic Tools
- 18 Gauge Brad Nailer (from Harbor Freight). Get a similar one from Amazon here.
- 23 Gauge Pin Nailer (also from Harbor Freight). Get a similar one from Amazon here.
- Porter-Cable FR350B 3-1/2-Inch Full Round Framing Nailer
- 3 Gallon Pancake Compressor (from Craigslist, $20 special!)
Old School Hand Tools
- Handsaws (Probably 3 cheapos collected over the years)
- Marking Gauge
- Crown Dovetail Saw
- Dozuki “Z” Saw
- Coping Saw
- Narex Chisels (I actually bought these new…about $100 for an 8 piece set on Amazon)
- Mallets and hammers of various kinds, including my….
- Crown Beechwood Mallet, and my…
- Stanely 22oz Fatmax Framing Hammer with Hickory Handle (that I’ve had for 15 years. I can’t say enough good things about this hammer…it just won’t die!)
- Antique Hand Planes, Nail Sets, Clamps, Vices, etc. (Hand-me-downs from my girlfriend’s grandad…he must’ve been a pretty cool dude.)
- 60 Piece Tap and Die Set
- Various Files (flat, round, triangle, small triangle)
Other Stuff
- Various Bits (Hole boring bits, forstner bits, hole saw bits, standard bits of various quality/material, etc.)
- Screw Drivers, Nut Drivers, Box Wrenches, Sockets, and other mechanics-type tools.
- Some Pipe Clamps (And a bunch of cheap stuff, from Harbor Freight mostly)
- Titebond II Premium Wood Glue (I buy it by the gallon).
….more to come!