When you are a woodworker, you want to populate your workshop with the best tools possible. It is a waste of your time and money to buy tools and machinery in low quality, because eventually they will have to be replaced at great expense. It is better to start off with the best and build your collection from the ground up. So what are the best tools? This short list will let you know what to buy.

When buying tools and woodworking machinery, always go with trusted, name brands. Brands like Sears Craftsman tools, Hitachi, Rigid, and Rockwell all have good reputations. If you are looking to spend less money but still want a high quality tool, then you can investigate the deals at Rockler Woodworking, a shop that has locations around the nation. Rockler also has the benefit of offering on site classes and instruction to its customers.

Some tools can be bought used as well as new. Metal hand tools do not experience much wear and tear, so you can purchase models at yard sales that are in decent shape. If you try to buy used drills or other power tools, be more wary. If the owner did not take proper care of these items, they could have depreciated in value and reliability very quickly. Additionally, used items usually do not have warranties or any kind of manufacturer insurance for second owners. Not to mention that the instruction booklet is usually missing on the second time around.

Not only does your standard woodworking workshop demand such machinery as cordless drills, table saws, jigs, and other essential equipment, you also will find that you need extra pieces for your woodworking career that do not exactly work with wood. For example, a shop vac always comes in handy for the messy days at the workshop, with the air and floor are circulating with sawdust and shop debris. Additionally, portable lights can be very useful when working on jobs at night, or in the winter when it gets dark out early. These staples and other similar ones can help you work, even though they are not necessarily essential for your projects themselves. But where does it ever end? Some craftsmen could not get by without their coffee machines!

In addition to machinery like saws and drills, an expert woodworker requires hand tools like great hammers, chisels, and screwdrivers. Every tool box should have tools like this in a variety of shapes, weights, and sizes. When you compile a tool box, you can buy your items separately or purchase them all-in-one in a single set. However, sometimes the components of a tool box set can be cheap or far from ideal for your specific purposes. If you know tools, and you know what you need, then you might be better off buying a variety of brands for your personalized toolbox. This way, you can really customize your collection and make it right for you. Woodworking jobs always demand different tools, and it pays to be prepared.