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The Top Five Power Tools

Today, most woodworkers need to equip their shop on a budget, preventing them from purchasing everything they might want.

Thankfully, most projects can be completed using only a few power tools.

Here are the top 5 power tools that should find a home in every woodworking shop.

man using power tools and tape measure

The Top Five Power Tools

1. Cordless Drill

Cordless drills may not offer the power of their corded brethren, but the convenience offered by not needing to be near an electrical outlet is more than worth it.

When shopping for a cordless drill, the most important things to look for is a comfortable grip, reversible action functionality, and a keyless chuck.

The chuck measures the largest diameter bit that the drill may effectively be used with.

The most common sizes are 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch, with the 1/2-inch models offering more power of the two.

Other considerations would include:

Variable speeds; will help you adjust the torque in your cordless drill to prevent you from snapping the head off of your screws.

Drills don’t have the multitude of safety features found in other power tools, but some common-sense safety guidelines are still recommended.

It would help if you wore safety glasses whenever you’re using any power tool, and loose-fitting clothing should be avoided to ensure that your drill never gets caught on your person.

Finally, you should read and follow all of the safety precautions found in your drill’s owner’s manual.

Check out CordlessDrillZone as they review in-depth all things cordless.

orange cordless drill

2. Circular Saw

The circular saw’s unique blend of portability and versatility makes it the most important tool in every budget shop.

Almost every modern woodworker relies on this tool together with the plunge router options on BestOfMachinery.

These tools work together perfectly and you can do so many projects just with them.

You can cross-cut or rip boards at angles of up to 45 degrees with a circular saw, making it handy for carpentry jobs and fine woodworking alike!

You need to change your circular saw’s blade for maximum versatility.

A straight edge is best for cutting goods such as plywood sheets, allowing the circular saw to fill the purpose of a table saw until you can get one.

Other blades cut curved shapes that dramatically increase the number of projects you can tackle.

While the circular saw is a jack-of-all-trades, it is a master of none (see Protoolzone).

Therefore, you can expect to use your circular saw much less frequently when you acquire more power tools.

Check Tools Adventure for a buying guide about circular saw

man using green circular saw to cut lumber

3. Miter Saw

When you need to make a fancier cut than is possible with a circular saw, a miter saw, according to thesawguy.com, is a tool you need.

This machine makes beveled and mitered cuts while also combining the two functions to make “combination cuts” possible.

In the hands of an expert, nothing makes more accurate cross-cuts than a miter saw.

An easy-to-read angle gauge and an intuitive locking mechanism to lock your blade in place are the most important things to look for when purchasing a miter saw.

Beginners may benefit from choosing one of the many models with preset detents at 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 30 degrees, and 45 degrees in either direction to make lining up common cuts easier.

If you are looking for a miter saw, this Dewalt cordless miter saw review is worth checking.

man using jig saw in workshop

4. Table Saw

The table saw is easily the most expensive power tool on this list, but it is no place to compromise.

This one tool can rip, cross-cut, miter-cut, square, rabbet, dado, and add shapes to the end of your wood stock, making it the most frequently used tool in most woodworking shops.

As a result, it is sometimes referred to as the “soul” of the shop, with all other tools organized around it.

When shopping for a table saw, look for a miter gauge you are comfortable using and a dust collection system that keeps sawdust out of your way.

Table saws are statistically the most dangerous power tools in the shop, so wear eye protection, earplugs, and appropriate clothing whenever you are operating one.

man using table saw to cut 2x4

5. Jig Saw

Finally, a jigsaw (alternatively referred to as a saber saw) is great at cutting curved and circular patterns into your stock.

It doesn’t have the power or accuracy of a similar band saw, but its superior portability more than compensates for this drawback.

The most important features to look for are variable speeds (so that you can slow the blade down for intricate cuts) and orbital action (so the blade has some flexibility to avoid bending and undesired slants in your cuts).

man using jigsaw to cut design in wood

An easy blade-changing mechanism, splinter control shoe (to reduce splintering), and a dust collection system are also nice features to have, though they aren’t necessary if you’re on a budget.

These tools will help you tackle DIY projects inside and outside.

Don’t forget the best electric chainsaw for work that needs to be done outside to make your home your haven.

For heavier outdoor cleanup, you may need to upgrade to the best professional chainsaw.

A plethora of additional machines may supplement the tools above, but they’re all you need to start woodworking. Have fun!


Resources:

https://cordlessdrillzone.com/

https://bestofmachinery.com/best-plunge-router/

https://www.cutmyplastic.co.uk/wood-sheets/ply/

https://toolsadventure.com/best-worm-drive-circular-saw-reviews/

https://chainsawstore.net/best-electric-chainsaw/

 

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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