Starting a Woodworking Shop for Under $1,000
Opening a Woodworking Shop for Less than $1,000
I’m about to tell you how to build out a very capable, beginner woodworking shop with all the necessary tools for under $1,000. We’re going to use Amazon because we can usually get better prices there most of the time. You don’t have to buy all of these tools at once. In fact, I didn’t. I started out with a circular saw and a couple of drills and purchased tools from the profits of my woodworking projects.
The order below is the order I think you should purchase them in but not necessarily purchase the full $1,000 set all at once. However, if you do have the budget, you can be up and running as soon as the tools arrive at your doorstep.
The links to the tools in this review can be found at the bottom of this post. Affiliate links are used on this website to help support the website. For more information, read our affiliate disclaimer.
#1 - Tape Measure - First and foremost, you have to have a tape measure if you’re going to be a woodworker. It’s just the way it is. It’s the law (jk), so pick up a good tape measure. My personal favorite, and the one I use in my shop, is made by Fastcap. They make a lefty/righty version that’s only about $8, and that’s a really good deal, especially for beginners. It has the numbers on both sides no matter which way you turn the tape, which is handy so that you don’t have to look at things upside down.
If you don’t know how to read a tape measure, it has the increments broken down for you, so you don’t get confused as to what is 1/8 or 1/16 and so on. My personal favorite is the Fastcap old standby. It’s just a regular-looking tape measure. They’re very durable, and they even have a pencil sharpener built in. The old standby is a little more expensive at $11.99, but we’re trying to get the maximum amount for our money, so $7.99 for the lefty/righty and you’ll be just fine.
#2 - Square - You’re going to need a square, and I recommend the Swanson speed square because they’re only $10.99. This square has multiple functions, such as the ability to lay out different angles, like a 10-degree or a 45-degree angle. They’re also well-made. This will last you a lifetime.
Running total - $18.98
I also think it’s a good idea to pick up a framing square so that you can lay out sheet goods or larger items. You can also check the square of cabinets and things like that. At around only $16.30, you should definitely have one around the shop. You’ll notice that framing squares come in different colors. I like the black ones with high-contrast writing because I’m old, and I need to see them better.
Running total - $35.28
#3 - Drill/Driver - Now we’re getting into Tim “The Toolman” Taylor’s power tools. I chose the DeWALT 20v Atomic line because they’re brushless, and they’re not overly big. These are a staple in the woodshop, and probably the most used tool you’ll every buy will be your drill and impact driver. That’s why I think it’s best to go ahead and spend a little extra money to get the pair. You don’t have to go overboard and get top-of-the-line, but this is a good middle ground that will last you for years.
At the time of this review this set goes for $209.90. For that you get two batteries, a charger, the drill, and the impact driver. They do occasionally go for a little less than that, so keep an eye on it or even sign up for my tool deal alerts - https://www.731woodworks.com/tool-deals. The cool thing about this set is that it’s kind of middle of the road. It’s not the base model, and it’s also not the most expensive.
You get a good quality drill with two speeds and a nice torque adjustment, so you don’t overdrive screws. There is a cheaper model of DeWALT that’s brushed, but you’ll get better battery life and better power out of the brushless line.
Feel free to shop around and get a cordless set that you’re comfortable with. Just remember that going forward, you’re going to want to pick a brand that has multiple tools that you’ll be using and will accept these batteries.
Running total - $245.18
#4 - Circular Saw - You can pick up a Skil circular saw for $49.00. It is the number 1 selling circular saw on Amazon, with well over 13,000 reviews giving it a 4.7 rating out of 5. People have put this thing through its paces. It’s a good option because it’s a full-sized circular saw, so it’s going to be easy to find replacement blades. That’s a good thing because the blades that comes with these things are trash. Even the $4,000 SawStop came with a trash blade. Go ahead and pick up a Diablo blade for around $20, and it’s going to be a much better blade.
At 15 amps, you’re going to have plenty of power to cut through whatever size stock you have. It also has a laser on it showing your cutline. I’m red-green colorblind, but I can actually see this one. That’s super-handy to have, especially on a saw at this price point. If you don’t like the laser, it can be turned off by a simple button on top.
I also like that the base on this is aluminum and not cheap plastic. This saw will also let you bevel up to 52-degrees. Why they chose 52, I don’t know.
Running total - $294.18
#5 - Sander - Now that you’ve got a way to cut the wood with your saw, and you’ve got a way to put the wood together with your drill and driver, you’ve got to have a way to sand the wood. My pick is the DeWALT variable-speed sander. There is a cheaper option if you just don’t like DeWALT.
This sander is $84.00, and it was one of my top picks when I tested lots of sanders that were under $100.00. One of my other top picks was the very similar Craftsman sander, which will save you about $20.00, but you’re losing that variable speed if that matters to you. Other than that, they’re exactly the same sander. They come out of the same factory in Mexico, they look identical, and they perform identically.
Running total - $378.18
#6 - Clamps – Now, you need a way to hold wood together while the wood dries. I think pipe clamps are probably the most underrated value you can get in a clamp, especially the 3/4" Bessey clamps. You buy the clamps, then you buy the pipe separately. The clamps are normally $25.00, so a set of four will cost $100.00. I know it sounds like a lot, but it really is a good value because of what you’re getting.
You can make these clamps whatever length you want based on the pipe you buy. Typically, 3 or 4 feet is all you’re going to need. You can buy the pipe in precut 36” 4-packs for about $48.00. Pro Tip - If you go to your local home store, you can probably get this pipe a little bit cheaper and have them cut to whatever length you’re most commonly going to use. I’ve found for cutting boards and small projects, the 36” is just right.
Running total - $526.18
#7 - Quick Clamps - I think everyone needs a set of quick clamps. You can get a 4-pack set of 6” clamps for about $20.00. These are great if you just need a helping hand in the shop when you’re working by yourself, or you just need to hold something in place. These are just dead useful in the shop.
Running total - $546.18
#8 - Router - I think every beginner wood worker needs a trim router. This will allow you to do edge profiles like roundovers. You can get one of these for about $80.00 for a corded version. If you want to pick up one in a cordless line, that’s okay too, just know it’s going to be much more expensive. However, to stay on budget you can get a 1-hp Makita or Bosch. Both are excellent choices to keep you under that $1,000 budget.
Running total - $626.18
#9 - Table Saw - The table saw is one of the most used tools in any woodworking shop. The DeWALT jobsite table saw is $299.00, but it is one of the better table saws that I’ve reviewed on this channel. This is a smaller saw, with only an 8.25” blade, meaning you don’t quite get the depth of cut you would with a larger blade. If you’re cutting 2x4s (tubafour) or 2x6s, you’re fine, but if you’re getting into the 4x4s, you can’t really cut those all the way through.
If you’re wanting that depth of cut, check out the Skil table saw. I reviewed it on the channel a while back, and I think it’s the best beginner table saw. It is also going to be right around the $299.00 price point.
These are going to be two of the better table saws that you’re going to find. Now, the reason I didn’t include a miter saw in that list is because you can break your goods down with the circular saw, and then cut them to accurate dimension at the table saw.
Miter saws are nice tools to have. If you have the budget for a miter saw, absolutely go ahead and get one. It’s the one tool I think you should pick up after this $1,000, but for starting out I think you’ll be much happier for longer with a table saw.
No matter what table saw you buy, it is essential that it has a very nice fence that will remain square to the blade and square to the miter slot. That’s all that matters on a table saw other than power. For the most part, that fence is the most critical part of that saw. Both the DeWALT and the Skil saws have a rack-and-pinion fence that you’re not going to have to worry about coming out of square. You’re going to get really nice, accurate cuts. For this price point, it’s hard to beat that.
Another reason I chose a table saw over a miter saw is that you can build your own jigs for it. You can build crosscut sleds, jointing and tapering sleds, tenoning jigs, and the list goes on and on. That will help you build a whole bunch of stuff with a single tool.
Running total - $925.18
#10 - Shop Vac - You can get a shop vac for under $100.00, and that will take us right to that $1,000 mark. Sun Joe makes one for $85.09. You want one that has a HEPA filter, which is one the main things you’re looking for. You need a way to collect all of this dust you’re making. Get one with a bag if you can, so it will save your filter.
As you progress, I highly recommend picking up a dust extractor, but those things are almost $1,000 by themselves. It’s unrealistic for a beginner to get one of those in most cases.
Running total - $1,010.27
Bonus - Miter Saw - If you have the budget after you’ve already purchased all of these tools, get a miter saw. One of my favorites is the DeWALT DWS779. It goes on sale pretty regularly. It’s a really nice saw that I’ve used for a very long time. It’s consistently one of my favorite miter saws that I’ve used.
If you’re on more of a budget, there is a WEN model that I’ve reviewed. It is a 10” saw, and it’s a really good model for the price. You can save a good bit of money with it, but I think long-term, the DeWALT’s going to be my best pick. If you have an even bigger budget, you can get something like the Makita, or even (ahem) Festool.
NOTE: prices change, and on Amazon they fluctuate like the wind blows. Keep that in mind as you’re looking at these tools. The price may go up or it may go down, so just check the current price.
You can watch the full video review here - https://youtu.be/pC8QU2vQgJs
Greatest Free Gift I've Ever Received: http://story4.us/731Woodworks