Top 5 Woodworking Essential for the Smart Woodworker

• Portable Table Saws: Make Sure You & Your Tools are Flexible
  The heart of every shop is a table saw. This is where you’ll make the easiest, most accurate cuts. You’ll need one that’s stable, with fences and guides that stay snug, and guards that don’t get in the way. Table saws can get big, and they can get expensive. Pick one that will give you straight cuts without eating up your budget.

• Circular Saw for Cutting All Types of Wood
  With a little skill and practice, a circular saw is a versatile tool. Circular saws often come with accessories such as edge rails for keeping straight cuts. For cutting outside the shop or off a ladder, a circular saw is what you need. Always think about safety. If it seems heavy, or the blade seems exposed, find a model you’re comfortable with.

• Rotary Tool for Tight Spaces
  These tools are useful when you have to add small touches or work in tight spaces. The accessory bit you choose will rotate at a high speed, making these efficient solutions. With the wide variety of attachments, they can serve as anything from a buffer to a mini-router. They do require some manual control. Get one that fits your hand yet has the power to get things done fast.

• Router for Dimensions
  A router adds more dimension and functionality to any wood project. A router can become an edger, cut grooves to width, or add an artistic touch. There are two types. A plunge router can be adjusted to cut to different depths. A stationary router can be affixed to a router table for making it easier to produce custom edge work. Both tend to use bits with either 1/4 or 1/2 inch shanks. As a general workhorse, look for a router delivering at least 2 HP. They come in all sizes, so get one you can handle, preferably with a variable speed control.

• Sander: Keep it Smooth
  No wood work is really complete until it’s sanded smooth, or at least freed from rough edges and splinters. Sanders come in every size, from tiny palm sanders to big sheet sanders. You will want a variety of sand papers to go from rough grits to smooth sanding. A tool that allows you to easily change out different grades of pre-sized sand paper is recommended.

Basic Woodworking Tools for Beginners

5 of the Best Power Tools for Woodworking

DEWALT DW660 Cut-Out 5 Amp 30,000 RPM Rotary Tool 

This is a rugged workman’s version of smaller home-craft tools. It has a dust-sealed switch to keep scattered particles from interfering with operation. At less than a foot long and weighing only a little over 3 pounds its something you can manage in tight spaces.

The tool-free bit changer uses both sizes of collet to allow you use of a maximum variety of bits. It comes with a drywall bit that made quick work of cutting outlet holes.

I love that the powerful 5-amp motor won’t burn out or give up on tough jobs the way flimsier tools will.

It will even cut easily through 3/4″ plywood.

Rockwell RK3441K Compact Circular Saw Kit

The elongated design (18 inches) makes this a well-balanced saw for easy control and maneuvering when making tricky cuts.

The 4 1/2 inch blade is a thinner design that makes for less resistance. It ships with a carbide blade for cutting through most materials, and two useful attachments – an edge guide and a vacuum adapter.

It allows for cuts up to 2″ deep, so it’s perfect for trimming off 2x4s without any worries. We know it as one of the best mini circular saws on the market.

It’s compact, but powerful.

The RK3441K will handle just about any cut you’ll encounter on typical home improvement projects.

Black & Decker RP250 10-Amp 2-1/4-Inch Variable Speed Plunge Router

The 10-amp motor is up to any routing task, while the base is well-designed and very stable. Variable speed from 8,000 to 27,000 rpms and 3 quick settings for cut depth make this a versatile router.

Ergonomic grips and a light-weight make it easy to control for even a beginner.

It uses the common 1/4 inch shank so there’s no end of the various cutting bits you can get for it.

A professional will likely opt for something more powerful and expensive. For the home workshop, the RP250 does a lot.

Black & Decker MS2000 4-in-1 SmartSelect Multi Sander

The built-in vacuum on this sander is such a convenience I may never look at another sander without it. At a weight of under five pounds and only a foot in length this is a compact sander.

But the MS2000 still has the power to handle big jobs, while being maneuverable enough to handle small ones. The removable base and easy hook-and-loop clips allow quickly changing grits to make jobs easier.

The SmartSelect design that lets users quickly change between orbital, sheet, detail, and finish sanding. This is an all-in-one sander.

DEWALT DW745 10-Inch Compact Job-Site Table Saw

This saw offers a lot in a compact 26 square-inch table saw. Weighing in at only 50 pounds, it has a 10″ blade and solid 15 amp motor. The telescoping fence configuration enables a 20-inch rip capacity.

You May Be Interested In: The Best Table Saw Under $500 or  under $1000

The DW745 features a cut depth up to 3-1/8 inches at 90 degrees and 2-1/4 inches at 45 degrees .A 2-1/2-inch dust collection port allows you to connect to a Shop-Vac for dust extraction. Includes 10″ carbide blades, miter gauge, push-stick, and blade guard. It’s a perfect beginner’s table. The surface is coated to reduce friction. The metal roll cage base provides a quick and sturdy setup.