Whether you’re a woodworking pro or an amateur, power tools can save you a ton of time in the woodshop.
Some of the most useful power tools to have in your woodshop are just powered versions of classic hand tools. Others are a radical re-imagining that look nothing like their hand-tool ancestors, even though they accomplish the same results.
Using a powered version of a woodworking tool will require you to learn new techniques. But if you’re new to woodworking, you probably haven’t mastered hand tools, yet. So getting a start on woodworking power tools now won’t mean you have to reinvent the wheel.
For the veterans out there, your skills will transfer pretty quickly from hand tools to power tools, so don’t hesitate to take the plunge. The benefits are well worth it.
Power tools will save you a lot of time and elbow grease, and you’ll still end up with great pieces afterwards. Learn about the essential power tools you’ll need with this guide from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
A table saw is one of the most important tools you can have in your woodshop. It allows you to quickly and easily make straight, precise cuts in wood.
A miter saw, or chop saw, is a basic woodworking power tool that’s extremely versatile. Easy to use and much safer than a table saw, you can use a miter saw for all kinds of angled cuts and cross cuts.
Electric planers are power tools that take much of the back-breaking labor out of woodworking. These are especially great for older woodwrights that aren’t able to stand or make repetitive motions as much anymore.
Perfect for any job you would normally use a hand plane for, a powered hand planer can shape, thin, and leave a smooth surface on your pieces.
A drill is an essential part of any toolbox. It’s ideal for making holes and inserting screws into wood. You can choose from both corded and cordless drills.
When looking for the right drill, we recommend getting a set that includes an impact driver. This tool will help you more easily drive screws into your woodworking projects.
Sometimes, cutting large sheets of wood can be difficult on a regular table saw. And that’s where a track saw or circular saw come in handy. They’re useful for making straight cuts on large pieces of wood.
Band saws are great for ripping longer pieces of stock. They are safer and easier to use than a table saw.
A jig saw can be the woodwright’s best friend. Especially if you make decorative or highly-detail pieces, you’ll find it to be a life saver.
Use it to make accurate, curved cuts that virtually no other saw can make. You can also use the jig saw to make straight or angled cuts in tight spaces if you made a little mistake.
No project is complete without a good sanding. Use a sander to smooth wood’s surface and take off extra material.
There are a number of different types of sanders to choose from, such as belt sanders and orbital sanders. Find the one that works best for your needs.
A router is another extremely useful tool to have. It will help you shape edges and create slots, grooves, and other intricate details.
Just as the name implies, a nailer or “nail gun” is incredibly useful for quickly and easily driving nails into your work.
Investing in these tools may seem like a big chunk of change, but you can acquire each one slowly according to your needs. Before long, you’ll have a woodshop that makes every project a breeze.
For more helpful guides like this one, check out our Woodworking Blog.
