Favourite Woodworking Tools
I’m a new, self-taught woodworker, and these are the products I use. Click the link to find where to purchase them online. Some of these links are affiliate links, but none of these are paid advertisements, and I only include things that I use and recommend.
Tools
This is my Skil band saw. I use it for small or curved cuts. It has a dust extraction port which I can hook up to my shop vac.
My electric chainsaw, which I use outdoors for cutting dead trees and making rough cuts on reclaimed lumber and pallets. Always wear your safety boots!
This is my Dewalt mitre saw, which I use for making frames and boxes as well as cutting large boards. It’s great for straight, precise cuts.
Here’s my mitre saw in action with a Diablo blade, my favourite kind. Sharp blades make for safer cuts. Don’t forget your pusher sticks!
Dremel tools and attachments, hung on pegboard next to my safety gear.
My two impact drills/drivers. The batteries are interchangeable with my other tools.
This is the box that I use to organize small tool bits and hardware in the shop. I have a similar one that I use for organizing my art hanging supplies.
I use two Black and Decker cordless sanders, with batteries that are interchangeable with some of my other tools. I like to have one sander set up with a coarse grit pad and one with a fine grit pad so it’s easy to switch back and forth.
This is one of several shop vacs I have in the workshop, to remove dust while I’m working and keep my workspace tidy and safe. It can be hooked up to different tools with a dust port.
This nifty staple gun can use staples or small brad nails, and it’s useful for small projects.
My propane torch, great for resin bubbles or heating up my wood burning brand. Pro tip, use the wider, camping style propane bottles instead of the blue plumbing bottles for more stability when you set it down.
I use this cordless jigsaw for making rough cuts and building things outside the shop. My drill and sanders share the same battery pack, so I have extra packs charged and ready.
Branding
My custom wood burning brand goes on the back of all my functional art. Read the story of my aspen leaf logo here.
I heat up the wood burning brand with my propane torch. Keep a piece of scrap wood handy to test the brand’s heat distribution.
I use this custom made stamp from Etchy Things to mark the backs of my canvases and other pieces that can’t be branded with the wood burning brand.
Safety and Cleanup
Safety glasses! Every tool, every time. Protect your eyes by making sure you wear them with any power tool. I order them by the dozen and hang them up in front of my tools so I don’t forget.
My RZ mask, which is useful for dust protection when I’m not using my dust collection system, plus it makes me look super cool.
Gloves are important in the shop to keep glues and wood stains off of my hands. I prefer thin gloves when working with power tools, so I can have a good grip, and I reuse these as often as possible to reduce waste.
For applications like spray paint that require a respirator, I like this set because it includes goggles that fit well over the mask.
Ear protection, so important when you’re working with power tools! I use them for sanding and cutting, and any time I use my shop vac.
This forestry helmet with the integrated earmuffs and face shield is all-in-one protection for in the shop or clearing dead brush.
Pusher sticks for working with power saws. These hold the wood securely so your fingers don’t get too close to the blade.
I wear a heavy denim apron for all of my painting and shop work, and it also protects my clothes from sawdust. When they’re too old to be used, I have them made into bags!
I use these spray bottles of isopropyl alcohol in the shop as well as in the paint and resin area.
Steel toe boots are important any time you’re working with power saws, indoors or outdoors.
I use my Dyson around the studio for general cleanup, but the soft dusting attachment can be used on paintings to remove sanding dust and scrap leaf.
Fire extinguisher. I’ve never had to use it, but I always have one in the shop!
Other Helpful Stuff for the Shop
For many applications, I find working with condiment bottles is less messy than applying stains or finishes right out of the tin.
These bamboo picks are really useful for mixing and scraping small amounts of glue, wood filler or resin. I let mine dry on a silicone mat so I can reuse them as many times as possible.
Here, I’m using my shop vac with an iPhone clip to vacuum dust away while using my Dremel tool. Resin dust is not good for you, so make sure to wear a mask as well. This setup keeps dust from getting everywhere in the shop!
Mixols can be used to tint resin, but did you know you can also use them to tint wood stains?
Levels are really useful, whether you’re installing shelves, applying metal leaf adhesive or pouring resin. I have many in the shop.
The digital angle gauge is great for checking the alignment of your saw blade, and ensuring cuts that fit together properly.
Peel and stick vinyl flooring makes a good work surface. I found this in the clearance section, and stuck some on top of an old door to make a workbench.
You can never have too many clamps! This is a good set to get started.
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