If a table saw is on your list of necessities, we highly recommend our top choice, the DEWALT 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw, which is loaded with great features and includes a rolling stand. Here are the best woodworking tools you need to create your next project. What do buyers say? 6,000+ Home Depot reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. A table saw is arguably the most important tool in the workshop of any handyperson. This basic power saw makes neat rip cuts—those are straight cuts across the grain—but also creates more specialized cuts, including miters, bevels, dado cuts, and rabbets. As your table saw is destined to become the workhorse of your woodshop, it follows that you’ll want to buy the best one you can afford. Our recommendation is the DEWALT 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw, which includes a sturdy rolling stand. This top-rated 15-amp table saw from DEWALT has a rack-and-pinion system for smoothly rolling out the extension when working on large boards. The saw comes with a 10-inch, 24-tooth carbide blade, which is an all-purpose blade for most types of woodworking projects. The saw has a maximum rip capacity of 22 inches to the left of the blade and 32.5 inches to the right of the blade. The maximum cut depth at 90 degrees is 3.125 inches and 2.25 inches at a 45-degree angle. The features don’t stop there, however. The 2-inch dust port connects to your vacuum to keep your workshop free of sawdust. The telescoping fence rails make it easier to store the tool when necessary, and the rip fence flips over when you need to make narrow cuts. There’s onboard storage for the tools needed while using the saw, and once you’re finished, you can easily fold and store the stand if desired. Price at time of publish: $649 This versatile jigsaw from Ryobi—note that the battery is sold separately if you don’t already own one—has variable speed settings from 1,100 to 3,000 strokes per minute, as well as four orbital settings. However, what makes it unique is the SPEEDMATCH selector, which helps you set the appropriate speed and orbital setting for the material you are cutting. The saw has a built-in light and a sight-line blower to clear away debris so you’ll always be able to see your work area. It works for right-handed and left-handed people alike. Price at time of publish: $45 The chisel blades are made of strong and powerful heat-treated chrome-vanadium steel alloy that’s tougher than even carbon steel. The ergonomically shaped hard plastic handles are comfortable and easy to hold from start to finish of your task. When it’s time to sharpen them, you’ll appreciate the included sharpening stone and honing guide, and when you’re ready to pack them up, you’ll be happy to have the hard plastic case that keeps everything organized and damage-free. If you’ve always wanted to learn to whittle, already are a whittler who wants to add to your knife collection, or know someone looking for a new hobby, take a look at this whittling/carving knife, which is suitable for beginners or those with more experience. It’s sure to become a favorite. Price at time of publish: $27 Our product tester put this sander through its paces while building a bookcase. He gave it top marks, praising its performance, dust control, and ease of use. He added, “Its lightweight, ergonomic design makes it easy to handle all sorts of work without fatigue, the sand discs are easy to swap in and out, and the pad dampening system eliminates swirl marks.” Price at time of publish: $79 The bench measures 49.6 inches wide by 19.7 inches deep by 33.9 inches tall. The thickness of the varnished acacia wood tabletop is 0.7 inches, and there’s a work trough running almost the full length for holding small tools or even to serve as a gathering spot for sawdust until you have a chance to brush it away. The table requires assembly. Price at time of publish: $218 This miter saw can cut bevels from 0 to 48 degrees and has a cut capacity of 2x8 lumbar at 90 degrees and 2x6 lumbar at 45 degrees. The top speed is 4,000 RPM. With a very sturdy build, accurate performance, and plenty of power, you’ll get years of service from this saw. Price at time of publish: $319 This is a great way to start or add to your collection of powered woodworking tools. As a bonus, their uses extend far beyond carpentry, as you can use them for a wide range of DIY, home improvement, and repair projects around your home, workshop, or garage. Price at time of publish: $190 The drill has two quarter-inch chucks, and you don’t need any tools to install or swap out whatever compatible bits you’d like to use. There are 12 torque settings and two speeds: low is 0 to 400 rpm, and high is 0 to 1,500 rpm. Automatic torque control helps prevent the annoying stripping or overdriving of screws or damage to the surface you are working on. There’s even a built-in LED work light, which comes in handy when working in dim conditions, such as underneath a sink. You get the drill, charger, battery, one 2-inch screwdriver bit, and two HSS drill bits. Price at time of publish: $100 This light-to-moderate duty clamp is 36 inches long and has a 3.5-inch throat, meaning that you can position it up to 3.5 inches towards the center of your material. It exerts up to 1,100 pounds of clamping pressure, which is more than enough for most DIY projects. The clamp itself weighs 4.5 pounds. It’s a must-have for any carpentry or woodworking shop, whether professional or hobbyist. Price at time of publish: $30 The 12-inch combination square measures 12 inches in three increments: 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32. It also has metric measurements in centimeters and millimeters. There’s an incorporated bubble level as well as rubber end caps that protect the device and absorb impact when placing the square into position. All in all, this is a worthwhile addition to your carpentry workshop. Price at time of publish: $19 Whenever possible, look for multipurpose woodworking tools that can do more than one job or can be used in a number of ways. Of all the sander types available, choose a random orbital sander for the most versatility when working on projects around the home, from finishing baseboards to refinishing furniture, such as the Bosch 5-inch sander featured above, for example. A handheld wood soldering tool used for detailed woodworking that can also work to craft metal and repair computer or car wiring will save you space and money. A table saw can make a variety of cuts, from basic rips and cross cuts to more refined miter or bevel cuts. If you are limited in terms of budget or space, stick with tools that can serve more than one purpose around your workshop.
Brands
When buying woodworking tools, look to established brands with long records of producing quality, long-lasting tools that are worth the money. Well-made tools cut down on frustration and improve your odds of completing projects successfully. Invest in trusted brands that stand behind their products with warranties and, in some cases, lifetime guarantees.
Ease of Use
Look for tools that are comfortable for you to use and that match your skill level. For example, not everyone needs the most powerful or feature-stuffed table saw available. If you plan to use your tools at various worksites, consider portability features, such as folding stands or legs, overall weight, and size. Cordless tools are convenient if you don’t expect to have an outlet near your worksite. Woodworking tools with ergonomic grips and reasonable weights let you work longer without wearing out your hands and wrists.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Michelle Ullman is the home improvement/tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard. Whittling involves using nothing more than knives to create a wooden figure. There are many types of whittling knives and many different sizes. Carving uses a variety of tools to create a wooden figure, including knives, chisels, lathes, and sometimes power tools. For this roundup, she considered dozens of woodworking tools, evaluating each for use, design, versatility, and overall value. She also considered feedback from customers, both positive and negative.
