Woodworking Hand Tools

Before buying any machinery you will need to have some basic woodworking hand tools. Most of your hand tool purchases will be based on personal preference and budget. The buying strategy I suggest is to purchase the basics first and then build on to your set as the tools are needed. Below are some ideas on what you’ll need. To find out what qualities to look for in each tool click on the links for the specific tool.

Measuring and Marking Tools

This is probably one of the first lessons you learned as a woodworker. If so you already know the importance of measuring and marking equipment. Here are the basic ones you’ll want to have on hand.

Measuring Tape – A retractable steel tape with graduated edges and a stop button to prevent the tape from snapping back at you before you finish your measurement.

Steel Rules – A steel rule is used for smaller work. They can also be used for small straightedges.

Straightedge – A sturdy metal straightedge is useful for making sure a planed surface is flat and also cutting nearly invisible seams in laminate work.

Try Square – Used to mark and check for accurate right angles.

Combination Square – A square with a sliding blade. Used to check right angles although it is not as accurate as a good try square it does come in handy to check the depths of mortises.

Sliding Bevel – Used to mark or check any angle.

Marking Gauge – Used for accurately marking out joints or scribing a piece parallel to an edge.

Scratch Awl – Simply used to mark wood.

One word of caution, when marking out a project it is best to use the same measuring device throughout because different measuring devices can vary up to 1/32”.

Hammers and Mallets

Claw Hammer – Used for driving large nails. The claw is useful for prying loose unwanted nails.

Plastic Dead Blow Mallet – Used for driving chisels. These will also allow you to tap together tight joinery without marring the wood’s surface.

Chisels

Bevel-edge Chisels – used mainly for removing waste and trimming your work pieces using only hand pressure (so long as you keep a sharp edge on them and don’t use them to open paint cans or jars) and can be struck with a mallet for harder woods.

Screwdrivers

Set of Flat Head (Straight-slot) Screwdrivers

Set of Phillips Head (cross-head) Screwdrivers

Another alternative is to get a power screwdriver with a range of bits. These can be easier to use in tight spaces or corners.

If you made it this far you know what woodworking hand tools you need to make a basic set, now you need to find out how to decide whether the one you’re getting are quality or junk that will need replaced in 2 months. For woodworking hand tool buying guides click the link on the specific tool you’re interested in.

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I can only review and give a my suggestion based on what I think the common home workshop needs are. Here is your chance to disagree with me and share your picks according to your own needs