Starting a woodworking shop is exciting — and overwhelming. Walk into any tool store and you'll find hundreds of options. The good news: you don't need everything at once. Here's a practical, prioritized list of the tools to buy first, so you can start building real projects without blowing your budget.
Tier 1: Buy These First (The Essentials)
1. Random Orbital Sander
You'll use this on every single project. A random orbital sander removes material quickly and leaves a swirl-free finish. Start with 80, 120, 180, and 220 grit discs. Budget: $50–$100.
2. Circular Saw
Before you have a table saw, a circular saw with a good straightedge guide can break down sheet goods and rough lumber accurately. It's portable, affordable, and versatile. Budget: $80–$150.
3. Drill/Driver
A cordless drill/driver is essential for assembly, driving screws, and drilling holes. Get a quality 18V or 20V model with two batteries. Budget: $100–$200.
4. Jigsaw
For curved cuts, cutouts, and shapes a circular saw can't make. A jigsaw is inexpensive and handles a surprising range of tasks. Budget: $60–$120.
5. Clamps (Buy More Than You Think You Need)
You can never have too many clamps. Start with 4–6 parallel clamps or F-clamps in the 12–24" range. These are essential for glue-ups. Budget: $15–40 each.
Tier 2: Add These When You're Ready for More
6. Table Saw
The heart of most woodworking shops. A contractor or hybrid table saw lets you rip lumber to width accurately and safely. This is the tool that unlocks most furniture and cutting board projects. Budget: $400–$900+.
7. Miter Saw
For accurate crosscuts and angled cuts. A 10" sliding compound miter saw handles most lumber widths. Budget: $250–$500.
8. Router + Router Table
For edge profiles, dadoes, rabbets, and joinery. A mid-size fixed-base router paired with a basic router table opens up a huge range of techniques. Budget: $150–$400.
Tier 3: When You're Milling Your Own Lumber
9. Jointer
Flattens one face and one edge of rough lumber. Essential if you're buying rough or SLR boards and want to mill them yourself. Budget: $400–$800.
10. Thickness Planer
Once you have a flat reference face from the jointer, the planer brings the board to a consistent thickness. Together, the jointer and planer are the foundation of working with rough hardwood lumber. Budget: $350–$700.
Hand Tools Worth Having from Day One
- Marking knife & combination square — for accurate layout
- Chisels (set of 4) — for cleaning up joints and mortises
- Hand plane (No. 4 or No. 5) — for smoothing and fitting
- Mallet — for driving chisels and assembly
Start with Great Lumber
The best tools in the world can't fix bad lumber. Start your projects with quality hardwood — sold by the board foot at AVEL Woodworking, available for local pickup.
👉 Shop Hardwood Lumber at AVEL Woodworking
Not sure which species to choose? Read our hardwood selection guide →