10 Essential Woodworking Tools – Woodworking Tips and Tricks
10 Essential Woodworking Tools – Woodworking Tips and Tricks
The ten most important tools you should add to your woodworking shop. These are the tools beyond a socket set and cordless drill. When you are ready to make that next step to being a more serious woodworker. Potentially when you are ready to start generating some income from your hobby.
For a more detailed dive into these tools, including cheaper alternatives, check out my blog here:
https://www.blacktailstudio.com/blog/essential-woodworking-tools
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All chopping no talking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9YN77sXFWc
Tools in this video (and cheaper alternates):
Sawstop: https://amzn.to/2YtTFRG
Laguna BX: https://amzn.to/2Vtv4M6
Makita miter saw: https://amzn.to/3dM0y6m
Festool miter saw: https://amzn.to/3i8R09b
Bosch miter saw: https://amzn.to/31q7jsd
Oneida: https://www.oneida-air.com/dust-collectors/professional-shops/dust-gorilla-pro
Oneida Super Cell: https://amzn.to/31tfnZd
Smaller dust collection alternative: https://amzn.to/3icnYp3
Grizzly jointer: https://amzn.to/3cXA69B
Grizzly planer: https://amzn.to/37qJaTi
Festool ETS 150: https://amzn.to/31r8CXS
Festool ETS 125: https://amzn.to/31oHhFM
Festool Rotex: https://amzn.to/2BUIMk4
Narex 4 piece chisel set: https://amzn.to/3ieFdWY
Narex 8 piece chisel set: https://amzn.to/3eMSRyd
Festool router: https://amzn.to/2Zj5ESw
(good) bosch router: https://amzn.to/3dJxFrM
Trim router: https://amzn.to/2NIkT2a
Sandpaper storage: https://amzn.to/2AdgpgC
My favourite tool is " Axminster pillar drill" cant find a polisher like the little gem in the uk have you got any suggestions. Here in the UK I seem to be able to only buy Chinese cheap 5" underpowered knockoffs . Love your work
I notice you did not address sharpeners. In previous videos I noticed you have the Tormek system, and probably employ other sharpening systems. What are your thoughts regarding sharpening all those great tools, and what do you find you lean on most?
Dust collectors are really under appreciated. They make a huge difference though.
Secco Nail gun! You, the chisel sounds are so much more informative than your voice said the idiot! Keep talking Cam, your words teach us.
Number one tool, same as you, no doubt, SAWSTOP! I have tripped the cartridge twice in 10 years. Still in awe about how fast that blade drops. I’m a turner, so the bandsaw is essential. I have a 17” Jet.
Fight it!!!
When I hear woodworking, the first thing that comes to my mind are table saw, drill press and lathe
I have a Laguna dust collector similar to the one shown. I was thinking about moving it outside to free up some shop space but don’t want to be pulling all my conditioned air (heated in winter/AC in summer) out of the shop and exhausting it outside. Is your shop not heated or cooled?
The comment at the end is a little sad. Hope he finds what he is missing in life
thank you. I really enjoy and learn a lot from your videos. I finally have access to a woodworking shop at work with free access to it. I am hoping to transforming it into something more organised.
I hate grizzly
Like you, my favorite tool is the Tablesaw. As to your talking, that’s what I like the best about your videos. I like hearing your descriptions and thoughts rather than natural sound.
Hello! Wondering how you made that jointer jig! Piece of wood that slides on the bottom to keep it straight and then you have clamps or something that fits into the jig slots? Thanks.
Table saw is my favorite tool.
My favorite tool…? The troll who posted that comment at the end of the video.
I would just like to say I truly enjoy your commentary.
SawStop is may fav! runner-ups are the new 13" DeWalt contractor planner which makes an incredibly smooth finish! Definitely can’t leave out the 14" Rockwell bandsaw I bought with extension block 30 years ago, still running perfect and now has a new Kreg fence. My most quick stop tool for squaring up is the 6" Powermatic jointer!!! All make most things possible, Yay!
Would you consider this list up to date? I am building my business based on your videos! Thank you so much!!
I love a circular saw or the chop/mitre saw. Do slightly disagree with the Makita hit never really had problem although the Makita I have is a chop saw use a basic brand mitre and it’s actually really good. Love the list though deffo gonna look at getting few extra things off your list got most it but not all thanks cam. Ps the troll what a Muppet he clearly hasn’t got clue. Thanks for the content 👍🏴
Favoriote Tool = Festool Domino 500. Cam – please let me know the manufacturer of the first chisel you show out of the drawer – the one that reflects somewhat like a trident. By the way, I am unable to view the related blog post and can only see the first paragraph
fave tool… screw gun… use it more than any other tool by far. You need one for putting in your inserts and then screwing in the allen bolts. but the tool that I am surprised at how often I use… the 18v battery operated Ryobi router. the 8th inch quarter round bit lives in it and is supplanted only 10 percent of the time with the quarter inch quarter round. Next surprising tool is the Ryobi pin gun. Keep it loaded with stainless pins and am pulling that gun out and shooting more things then I ever thought I would. btw. bt
Favorite tool is whatever is really, really sharp! At the moment and the current project, it’s my 1/2" chisel. Old and unknown, but somehow it’s just lovely to use. As others have said, please talk about what you are doing and why and what you are thinking and your design decisions. Thanks.
My most important tool is my circular saw. I had a Makita for several decades which got stolen but even after 40 years, Makita made the same model. My most important non-woodworking tool is my Makita cordless drill kit with two cordless drills. My woodshop was a casualty of a failed 45-year union with my ex-wife. I am starting over again but, slowly.
If you put the dust collector in the shed anyways, why even go for a HEPA filter? You could just use a normal filter inside a barrel and exhaust the little bit of fine dust into a water tub or outside onto grass.
favorite tool? Japanese Pull Saw
Favourite tool – me, myself and I.
As for mitre saw. Kapex supreme accuracy is a myth. It’s as accurate as 12-inch Makita. I have both.
I think that interchangeability if blades between mitre and table saw should not be the reason to buy 10-inch mitre saw. Buy as big mitre as you can afford;in terms of capacity and blade diameter – the bigger the better.
Also would love to know what sandpaper brand you use I heard you say you don’t buy festool paper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSBh77bjz_Q
My Bosch Track saw. It’s better than the Festool imo. I owned the TS55 and TS75, and like the Bosch more than both. The TS55 I used to own was weak and would overheat too much.
You are so right about the Bosch Plunge base. I have one as well and I hate using it. I actually use the default base the most because the plunge one just annoys me. I also have the same Makita trim router that you have but I actually prefer using the plunge base for it because I do not like the narrow default base and find that it is too easy to tilt it.
P.S. You may be noticing by now that I have left a lot of comments on your videos the past few days . I just wanted to let you know that I have watched them all to the end. I just post most comments before I get to the end and therefore do not know the secret password yet which I why my comments never start with it. Evidently I have watched 34 of your videos the past 3 days O_o
Cam, my favorite tool in my shop is my late 1880’s Frank H. Clement 12" jointer. 1,000# of buttery smooth cast iron beauty!
I wholly agree with your list. I own all that you listed and would say they’re the minimum for a production shop. I’m a 30+ year hobbyist making the jump to selling tables.
I know this is an old video, but I recently found your channel and am working my way through them all.
Keep them coming! You’re a great inspiration.
Have you tried rubbing bar soap on the plunge guides of that Bosch router? It might make it a bit more bearable.
Favorite tool = Festool Domino. Cam, please let me know the manufacturer of the forst chisel you pulled out of the drawer – the one that reflected somewhat like a trident. By the way, I attempted to access the related blog post but could only see the first paragraph would you please see of there is a problem as I’d like to take the deeper dive!
Favorite tool currently is my lathe, so satisfying.
I love my router, It has opened up so many new possibilities to my woodworking.
How do you sharpen your chisels? I have been trying to replicate your bow ties, but my chisels, I just cant get sharp enough. they are fine with pine, but not good with any end grain or hardwoods, walnut/oak/maple. I have a Japanese sharpening stone block, but I am no expert.
Thanks.
Besides the imagination, my favorite tool is probably a ruler/measuring tape. If you ever need to know which tools, supplies, and a massive amount of other things are the best/cost efficient, I highly recommend Project Farm on YT. A little boring unless you are like me and find all the tests fascinating. Extremely useful to find out which brands are best.
I only watch your videos shirtless
The real truth of the wood shop is that if you are making your own projects for your home and family….buy what you can afford. If you have customers that have expectations of a perfect product….and are willing to PAY FOR IT….mortgage your home and spend $500,000 on just tools.
Favorite food is Chinese. Speed square and multi-tool
Bandsaw is my favorite . Just by changing blades can be used for metal or wood. I am just starting to gather tools on a budget so thanks for the blog showing options.
Most important tool: Music player. Oh, and my wife: She makes me want to stay in my shed…. 🙂
Cam you should really think about a CNC it would help with those bow ties and other things around the shop as well. I have to say besides the table saw my favorite tool is the lathe.
Lathe. The silence at 8:56 was deafening!
My favorite tool is probably my table saw and jigs. I like your shop. I spent years in the Navy and have learned how to work in small spaces. My shop is 12’ x 24’ no big projects but all the tools you listed plus.
Beleive it or not sandpaper and chisels are my favorite. I always try to put a custom touch to everything i build.The trick in getting sand marks out is go in steps. 50, 80-100, 180, 240 and rub it down with red scotch bright.
Been following you for awhile now. Love your work and I am just starting to gather my shop wish list items. Enjoyed the video, great guidance. Cheers
My Bosch miter saw was all messed up when i got it new. Everything was loose, all the zeros were off, and im pretty sure the slides were bent. Just try to check everything out well before you buy
My absolute favorite tool is my sawstop table saw with the router table mounted on the left. Can’t use it enough…
Need a recommendation for a high gloss wood finish. Walnut and maple woods, something that will make it jump out and slap you upside the head. Not your sexy head though 😉
I like your narrations, it’s not like you are talking over someone.
Why is it that all the troll comments have horrible spelling and grammar……
Cam, like your work, but in the back ground you have a hand plane sitting on a metal surface. I was always taught all hand planes need to be set with the blade off the surface (carpenters local 525 apprentice instructor). Your work has inspired me to complete my first hickory counter top successfully, so please don’t take this as bad critacism, but I hope you continue to inspire others to move forward with the craft. O, BTW, just got my pilots license and am hoping that you continue to fly.