Whether you are a professional woodworker or a weekend hobbyist, even the best woodworker is only as good as the tools they have to work with. Having the right tools to get the job done saves you time and a lot of frustration.
However, if you’re brand-new to woodworking, you’ll find that these accessories can be expensive, and there are so many out there it can be hard to decide what you actually need, and what you can do without. In this article, we’ve listed eight most important accessories every woodworker should have to get you started.
Here’s the 7+ woodworking accessories we have covered:
- Workbench
- Table Saw
- Backsaw
- Clamps
- Power Drill and Drill Bits
- Belt Sander
- Circular Saw and Saw Blades
- Shop Vacuum
01. Workbench
A workbench will give you a steady flat surface to do your woodworking on. Your workbench doesn’t have to be fancy. Any table with a sturdy base and thick top will work.
If you don’t want to buy one, you can also make a workbench. There are guides and videos online that show you how to make your own workbench for less than what it would cost to buy one pre-made.
To help stabilize the wood further while working with it, add vises to your table to hold the wood in place. A workbench is one of the simplest wood shop accessories and one of the most important if you’re planning on doing woodwork regularly.
Make your own router table following any of these plans: Free DIY Router Table Plans
02. Table Saw
A table saw should be one of the first large purchases you make for your wood shop. It is a very versatile tool. It’s faster than hand saws are and more precise, which is important if you are working on any medium to large scale project. The saw can be used for cutting boards and wood beams and for making joints.
There are different types of table saws you can purchase, and different saws have various capacities for ripping and cutting and different motors, depending on how much power you need. You can find more information about table saws here to help you choose what works best for your needs.
03. Backsaw
A backsaw is a hand tool you can use for doing smaller projects. The difference between a backsaw and a regular hand saw is that a backsaw has a band running around the opposite edge that makes the blade stiff.
The stiff blade means that it stays straight while you’re making a cut so that cutting goes smoother and faster. Of course, because the blade is stiffer, it will affect the depth of the cut you can make.
However, it’s usually much more convenient to grab your back saw than it would be to take the time to set up a band saw for simple cuts.
04. Clamps
Clamps work similar to vises, but instead of attaching to your workbench to keep wood in place, clamps hold pieces of wood together.
There are four basic types of clamps spring clamps, bar clamps, C-clamps, and corner clamps. It’s good to have all four types on hand in a variety of sizes, so you are prepared for different project types.
05. Power Drill and Drill Bits
A basic power drill and a set of quality drill bits can take you a long way for woodworking. This tool can drill holes, drive screws, and many even have the option for a sanding attachment.
Using a power drill is a lot less labor-intensive than using a manual hand drill. Power drills may be wireless, but more often, they will come with a rechargeable battery.
It’s a good idea to purchase a power drill kit with two batteries so you don’t have to wait around for your battery to recharge before you can use the drill again.
It also tends to be less expensive ultimately to buy a kit with two batteries than trying to purchase a second battery separately.
06. Belt Sander
A belt sander saves you a lot of effort in sanding to take wood off quickly and with ease for a smooth surface. Belt sanders come in both stationary and portable models. The amount of room you have in your wood shop can help you decide what type is better for you.
Some stationary models are mounted to a table and fixed to the floor; others come with stands to set it up and take it down as needed. Portable models use two hands, and you secure your wood piece to a work surface, the quality of the results is the same for both types of belt sanders.
Learn more about different types of sander here: Benchtop Sander, Detail Sander, Spindle Sander.
07. Circular Saw and Saw Blades
Of the many accessories available, a circular saw is one of the most versatile and a good investment. A circular saw has the portability of a back or hand saw, but it’s more powerful and gives you greater flexibility with your cut depth. They come in both corded and cordless varieties, but the corded saws tend to be more powerful.
Along with the circular saw, you’ll want to get appropriate circular saw blades for the material you’re working with. Always make sure the saw blades you’re considering fit your saw model before you buy them.
08. Shop Vacuum
A shop vacuum is a must-have to keep your wood shop safe and healthy. Although a dust collector is ideal, a quality wet and dry shop vacuum is an excellent tool.
A shop vacuum will keep your shop clean, and help keep the environment healthy, so you’re not breathing in dust that could cause you respiratory health problems in the future. You should vacuum your shop regularly both for your safety and in order to keep your woodworking power tools functioning well.
Too much dust can clog up machines and prevent them from working properly. A clean shop also looks more professional if your woodworking is more than a hobby.
Final Thoughts on Woodwork Accessories
This list of accessories every woodworker should have is very basic. Depending on the types of projects you will be working on and the size of your operation, you may have additional needs and other considerations you need to keep in mind.
If you would like more specific information about safety rules, equipment, hand tools, power tools, or other woodworking topics, we encourage you to check out some of the other articles on our site.
