A skilled woodworker can produce some amazing things with a great variety of tools. For a beginner the choice of tools can be confusing due to the scope of the choice available. This article covers the main types of woodworking power tools you are likely to need as you progress from beginner to intermediate woodworker.
Beginner's Tools
Circular Saw
A quality circular saw is an important tool for any woodworker. It is a tool that should be mastered by beginners early in their career as it is used for a wide variety of jobs. Circular saws are great for cutting and sizing wood up to about 2" (5cm) in thickness.
Power Drill
A power drill is an indispensable part of a modern woodworker's toolkit. They are extremely versatile tools that are not necessarily merely used to drill holes. A power drill/driver fitted with the appropriate accessories can drill very large holes with a hole-cutter (9" [22cm] or larger), drive screws, polish wood, sand, clean metal fittings and much more. A dual speed setting is very useful as it allows low speed, high torque settings to be employed. A variable speed trigger is an advantage, as is variable torque for screw driving and similar tasks.
Jig Saw
Jig saws are used for intricate work, such as enlarging a hole in a kitchen work surface that will be used to fit a tap, air vent, light fitting etc. The advantage a jig saw has over a circular saw is the ability to make changes of direction in the cut as it travels. This allows for cutting of holes of any shape whatsoever in a solid piece of wood.
Orbital Sander
Once your work piece has been cut to the desired shape it is often necessary to sand it down to smooth surface. When a level, sanded surface is required an orbital sander can save an amazing amount of time when compared to a hand sander.
Plane
"Measure twice and cut once" is the old wisdom in woodworking, but sometimes, no matter the care exerted in measuring, a piece comes out just a fraction too big. A plane is a great tool for taking a few fractions of an inch off a piece of wood to enable it have that perfect fit.
Intermediate Skill Power Tools
Table Saw
A table saw is not a tool for a beginner, but in the hands of an experienced woodworker it can save a great deal of time when many pieces of wood require cutting. No professional workshop is complete without one.
Compound Mitre Saw
Compound mitre saws are used for cutting angles, such as when constructing door frames or when taking skirting boards around corners. It is not a tool that will get a lot of use for casual DIY but can be incredibly useful when it is required. The time it can save usually pays for its cost of purchase on the first job it is used on.
Router
Many think of a router as merely a high speed drill, but this is far from the case. It can be used to inlay, shape and profile wood and in skilled hands can produce truly beautiful pieces of work. A quality router will last for years if looked after. Avoid models that have insecure depth guides, or very low power.
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