A woodworker is only as good as his tools. In a world with enough woodworking tools to fill entire big-box stores, it’s important to know what you should buy (and what to avoid) so you can produce the best pieces possible and save money. Our tool reviews are different. Rather than use pseudo-science, we use the tools in the shop (we’re all experienced woodworkers), and report back how they perform. So whether you are in the market for a new set of chisels or a powerful table saw, we’ve got the best tools covered.
Tool: No. 444 am Shop Now Manufacturer: Skunk Tool Works MSRP: $129 As a rule of thumb, if something doesn’t have multiple uses in my shop, I don’t generally keep it around. That even goes [...]
Not every woodworker needs a hardhat. In fact, very few need one at all unless mandated by an employer to meet OSHA requirements on a jobsite. Still, there are lots of occasions in the woodshop [...]
Tool: GREX AOS368 2-Inch 105-Degree Angle Random Orbital Sander Shop Now Manufacturer: Grex MSRP: $122 Woodworkers all know the importance of sanding, and how tedious it can be. As a [...]
Tool: ALPHA HW615 Band Saw Buy Now Manufacturer: Harvey MSRP:$3,399 A band saw is an invaluable tool in the shop. In fact, I know several extraordinary woodworkers that don’t even own a [...]
Keeping warm: What jackets should you be wearing in the workshop? Every year as the days get shorter and the temps get lower, woodworkers emerge from pseudo-hibernation to go into their shops and [...]
Tool: Scriber Buy Now Manufacturer: Tooley Park MSRP: £28 20% discount on the scribers this week (ends Sat 8th Feb) with the code TPF1 at checkout! There are often times, where there’s [...]
Tool: Robin Wood Axe Buy Now Manufacturer: Wood Tools MSRP: £69 (about $85) As a bowl carver, I am frequently asked about recommendations for beginner sets of tools. Though the Robin Wood [...]
Tool: Gen II 18V One+ HP Compact Brushless Drill/Driver (PSBDD02K2) Buy Now Manufacturer: Ryobi MSRP: $139 (includes drill, two 1.5AH batteries, & charger) I have to confess this review [...]
Tool: Ultra-Shear Flat-top Blade Buy Now Manufacturer: Woodpeckers MSRP: $149+ Several issues back, I introduced our readers to a new lineup of blades from Woodpeckers. Their Ultra-Shear [...]
Tool: 12″ Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw C3612DRAQ4 Buy Now Manufacturer: Metabo HPT MSRP: $629 In my shop I have fairly high standards for a miter saw. It must be a dual bevel compound [...]
You asked we answered: What type of shirt should you be wearing in the workshop? While it might be a bit of a stretch to say a shirt is an absolute necessity in the shop, would you really want to [...]