Setting up a shop for woodworking is no small task. You have to consider your budget, the size of your space and the specific type of projects you'll be working on. Once you have all that figured out it's time to shop, here are a few of my 4 favourite must-haves for the amateur woodworker:
Quality table saw - You may already have one, or you may have inherited one like me? Either way you likely need an upgrade to ensure you have all the standard safety features necessary for operating one of these beasts. Ensure your saw comes with a stand and you provide loads of room on either end of the saw for longer boards. You'll also want to purchase a dado stack (saw blade), a ripping blade and a cross-cut blade - my favorite blades are Freud's Diablo brand. Best table saw brand for the money (and warranty) is Rigid in my opinion.
Solid workbench - Don't bother buying one of these, build it yourself as you will have full control over the size and style of workbench you need to fit your space. All you need are about 10-15 2x4's, 2-3 sheets of ripped-down 4'x8' chipboard, some strapping and a box of 3 1/2 inch deck screws and you're off to the races!
Drills - Buy a good quality drill set - my favourite is the 20-volt Milwaukee drill combo which includes a drill and impact driver. I've had my Milwaukee set for 10 years and they're as good as the day I bought them! Also buy quality drill bits - my favourite bits are made by Bosch.
Ventilation Kit - Purchase a ventilation kit for your space and/or ensure you have access to fresh air. Combine your ventilation system with a quality respirator (face-mask), impact-resistant face shield and quality ear muffs.
Once you're done shopping - and setting up your space - you can consider other "fun" tools like jigsaws, a planer, a jointer and a bunch of others things. Have fun and stay safe out there!
Contact one of our expert craftsmen at Knotty Creatives today for a FREE quote!
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