When attempting to get started in the field of woodworking, many beginners worry about being able to purchase a shop full of power tools. However, beginners are not required to spend a whole lot of money when starting out in the field. There is essentially no need to amass a whole arsenal of high-priced tools at this stage of the game.
The top 5 power tools are outlined below and these truly are all that is required to get you started. Best of all, the majority of them are fairly affordable. With these tools, a beginner will be equipped to tackle a number of creative projects.
Cordless Drill
The Dewalt cordless drill is listed among the top 5 power tools since it is clearly more portable than the corded version. Although it is pricier than the corded drill, it is surely worth the cost due to the level of flexibility it affords the user. When using a cordless drill, it does not matter if there is access to an electrical outlet. However, buying additional batteries will come in handy when working on bigger projects.
Circular Saw
The circular saw is viewed by a number of individuals as being more of a carpentry gear than a tool for woodworking. However, many people disagree with this view. In fact, there is a high probability that no other modest handheld power tool is quite as resourceful as this type of saw. Using the circular saw in concert with a clamp-on straight-edge practically makes the accuracy equal to what a table saw delivers.
Additionally, the saw extraordinarily handles a vast variety of the jobs that are typically carried out with a quality table saw. When you are on a budget and want to create woodworking projects, a circular saw of good quality should be among the first purchase you make as it relates to handheld power tools. That is primarily because there is a great possibility that it will turn out to be the most beneficial to the beginner.
Miter Saw
This saw a wise major acquisition that should be seriously considered by beginners who truly want to perfect their craft. It is more reasonably priced than a decent table saw; however, it is quite instrumental to the precise cutting of compound angles These include the combination, mitered and beveled cuts that are carried out on both ends of stock pieces. Once you have become more adept at creating accurate cuts with a miter saw, you just might notice that you do not find it necessary to use the circular saw as frequently as you previously did.
Table Saw
Having begun the progression of building your handheld power tool arsenal, you will almost be ready to make what will perhaps be your most significant and priciest acquisition of a major tool. However, this should come only after you have had time to train and become more skillful at using some of the other tools. The table saw is the nucleus around which all other pieces of woodworking tool in the shop are organized and used. Therefore, your aim should be to obtain the best table saw your budget can comfortably afford.
Investing time into learning about the table saw features is an extremely worthwhile endeavor. This will allow you to wisely choose the ones that will fulfill your needs, while staying within your budget. Carrying out a little research will help you to learn about how to maximize the potential of the table saw. Furthermore, it is important to figure out whether or not the features are designed to last or if they are merely added on to boost sales.
Jig Saw
Also referred to as a Sabre Saw, the Jigsaw is another incredible power tool that should be on the list of every beginner. This remarkable tool provides users with the opportunity to cut stock in patterns like curves and circles. A band saw will, most likely, deliver more precise cuts and can cut through thicker stock. However, the jigsaw can be vastly effective and just what the beginner needs. To optimize its versatility, choose a corded, orbital-action version of the tool that can be handled easily and have an effortless blade-changing system as a bonus.
Safety
Before using any one of these power tools, or any tools for that matter, it’s essential that you read the manual before jumping right in. For example, using a circular saw might seem pretty straight forward. However, there’s instances when cutting a piece of wood that’s binding against the blade in which will cause the saw to kick-back and potential harm you — the same kick-back happens a lot with table saws. So it’s essential to either watch some sort of training videos either online, or through the manufacturer.
Final thoughts
Before buying any tool listed above, read some tool reviews from Protoolzone, or go to a few local home centers and ask questions. Compare tool vs tool and most importantly, pick one up and see what it feels like. You might read some glowing reviews about one tool and find out you like how your second choice felt as you held it.
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