The Only Tools You Need to Start Woodworking! 

“The best tool for every project is the proper mindset “

Great video! I would add two things, a good wood glue ( I would recommend titebond II) and clamps. Other than that I think everything you need is covered well in this video.

If you can, spend the money on good quality tools. It will cause you less headaches over time and they will last you a lot longer. Chisels for example, the cheap ones you'll be required to sharpen more frequently and more likely to come to you with defects that you'll need to fix before use. The better quality you can get the longer they will stay sharp and they will last you forever. There are tools you can cheap out on like the marking tools but if it has a blade that needs to stay sharp, it's definitely worth it to spend the extra.

I gotta say after watching videos for several days trying to figure out which tools are important for starting woodworking and which brands to go for, etc. This video is the most simple and easy to understand. Thank you very much!

Dead on... nothing further needed to get started. Expanding the toolbox after that is quite enjoyable, though...

hi John! I see that the shelf is coming in handy again with mitre boxes. enjoyed the video.

Thanks John. I'd add a bottle of glue, and the one thing that we can never have enough of .... clamps.

For sharpening: a piece of plate glass and various sheets of wet-dry sandpaper with the bevel guide. I have grits up to 3000.

I think a mitre box would be handy as well.

4H pencil works great as a marking guage but can't buy them everywhere due to being used as stabbing blade in schools. Worth spending £20+ on Stanley grade square, cheaper ones flex and wobble or have sharp edges. Note to beginners: sharp is safer. Blunt tools lead to putting in more effort which can lead to dangerous slips and mistakes. Really sharp slides through the material smoothly and with control. Still got my Collins. Over 30 years old and I'd been woodworking for 20 years by the but still found it helpful. Power tool section looks quaint and looks like an advert for early Bosch green range - I had most, and still have some, of them. DeWalt still olive green! Happy and ancient memories. Impressed to see drawings include women using machinery contrast the TV shows of the day

Nice site.

Great video John. A clear concise no bs breakdown of the essential tool categories. The only addition I would suggest, and it might be considered borderline nice to have, or something to put on the tools for the next step in one's development list, is a carpenter's brace and a few mortice size auger bits . Not only great for its obvious use in boring holes, but also for removing most of the waste in mortices, efficiently, leaving only a little chisel work to be done with hand pressure only. Useful for any woodworker who needs to stay below the noise threshold of his neighbours annoyance, or those he shares a home with. Some spouses might demand that the first acquisition, before even so much as a carpenter's pencil arrives on the scene, should be a sound-proofed shed ( ! ), preferably at the far end of a largish garden. To aspiring woodworkers so unjustly afflicted, might I suggest you can use the soundproofing to your advantage in augmenting the selective deafness endemic to the male of our species, and the shed should be of sufficient dimensions as to afford a bit of lcomfort and luxury, as your sanctuary and shelter. A stove to cook bacon butties and a small refrigerator for essential supplies and medications, and a comfortable old couch for obtaining the maximum benefit from a chaps meditative moments, should be regarded as the bare minimum requirements if the woodworking environment is to contribute usefully to the production rate. I am always open to suggestions as to how to improve on the foregoing arrangements if anyone has any bright ideas, please don't hesitate to add them to the comment.

another quality video John. Thanks for sharing.

This is perfect for me, mate. Subscribed. Ta.

Excellent presentation - I know with these tools and a little effort, a very nice box can be made! Thank you for sharing your perspective.

You missed a mallet! You even said it a few times!!! Other then that amazing video very informative and well done Cheers

I can't even get a straight edge from an industrial grade floor jointer, I can't imagine flattening that bench with a jack plane.

Great Video John, I have a Mallet from my grandad, I am now a grandad so the mallet is prity old :-)

I totally thought you were going to start juggling those Japanese hand saws.

Hello John I was wondering what are the brand of the chisels thx

Fantastic video, John! Thanks a lot! 😃 About a mallet, a big enough piece of wood and a 1 inch dowel and you're done. 😊 Stay safe there! 🖖😊

So.... What you are saying is buy a circular saw and a router? 😊

I am missing a drill, a drill set, some screwdrivers and a hammer.

A hammer, saw, chisel, plane, knife, square and a sharpening stone. That is the absolute minimum. Oh and wood. You need wood in order to woodwork.

Another grey video John

None youre talk is understandible

I fell in love with wood working in the seventies, and have been an electrician for over forty years.

Just did my first wood project yesterday! I made a replacement for a drawer that broke. I owned a jigsaw (without guiderail), a corner ruler, a drill and some sandpaper. I bought a piece of pre-planed multiplex, multiplex sealer and a clear varnish. I had an old cupboard handle lying around so i finished the drawer with it. I’m so excited for my next project! Measure twice, cut once!

The best. After watching around 30 videos about what tools I should start collecting, this by far was the most honest (gives a quality vs. cheaper option) and concise video. Exceptionally well explained and just ordered the Collins book 👍

How many people are going to ask what a “Topper” is. Love the video. Perfect video for someone starting out. Fair play to you John. 👍🏻

"If you need to buy more than 1 new (or used) tool, to complete an upcoming project, then do another project first". Someone told me this several years ago, and it still rings true today. Buy tools as you need them, but if you need to buy too many, you are probably going to get in over your head. It's a nice and simple way to build up a workshop, while still doing some pretty nice projects. For someone starting out with zero tools, you aren't going to go buy everything you need to build a workbench. You'll probably start with a hammer to hang a picture, then a drill to put up some shelves, on so on. I think this is a great video for the start, and even experienced woodworkers (that's not me) can learn something. Keep it simple.

Two years later, but thanks for this - I only have an apartment so I have to use hand tools (may blow the fuses for the entire complex if I try anything else). I had got a book where I could "learn to make boxes!" and everything was done with major power tools like planers and the like. Good to see what I genuinely need and thankfully, I pretty much have just a bit more than this. I can dooooo theeeeeeeeeesssssss.

That tiny saw is made specifically for flush cuts. It's called kugihiki and the teeth should have NO set. The ryoba, kataba and dozuki (pronounced DOH ZOO KEE - equal emphasis on each syllable) SHOULD have set to the teeth. Thus, those should not be your first choice for flush cuts.

Excellent video. I really appreciate that you split tools into different categories. Merci beaucoup from SW France.

19:08 You said workbenches, I heard warp engines.

Great video John, I really liked the way you broke it down into categories. I might suggest that once you've got all your tools together that the first little project to undertake is to build is a shooting board. For me its been a game changer to get good quality results when jointing.

I’ve spent 35 years woodworking in industry as a Cabinetmaker and as a hobbyist at home. I’ve never had a lot of money for tools. Invest in a good quality square, those cheap sliding 90/45 ones can be inaccurate. And accuracy when checking for square when dimensioning stock is paramount. Shinwa make some very good quality squares at a reasonable price, their steel rules have very legible etching on them. If you are going for the Veritas type marking gauge, yes they are great, I have one, but opt for the mortice gauge instead, I regretted buying the single one….Rather than a Veritas low angle Jack plane, for that money a starter could purchase a decent condition 1960s Record Jack, clean it up and install a quality new blade (Ray Iles) and a Record block plane. Sheffield Marples (mid 1990s are good steel, not the new ones made in the far east) bench chisels are good as long as they aren’t too rusty and pitted. As to saws…..should a western beginner woodworker really start with Japanese saws? The technique is different, and while they are nice to have alongside western saws, I personally feel unless you are going down the route of learning how to do woodworking ‘Japanese style’ you should begin by learning western techniques first. Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke, not the push stroke, some say this is more accurate…….but I found them awkward to start with, a western saw that cuts on the push stroke is easier to handle from the start. Japanese craftsmen tend to work on their backsides sitting on the work, their approach to using the tools is slightly different…..A decent hardpoint panel saw will rough cut your stock. Spend the money on a decent tenon saw for the basic joints, then get a Dovetail Saw later once you get more advanced. My toolkit is full of a mix match of different new and second hand tools……but have care what you buy. Make sure it is not rusted beyond recovery…..pitted chisels should be avoided.

Finally, someone who who is doing something to help people wanting to take up woodwork but is intimidated by the marketing plos of tool companies. I’ve been woodworking for over 45 years and, especially, I have every tool imaginable - many of them I have 2 or 3 or 4. I’m lucky enough to have a great workshop full of machinery (as you get old, machinery is vital as the body won’t let you do repetitive actions like hand planing). And yet, you don’t need all of these to go and make something. Start simple and then see how you go. The tool companies spend fortunes marketing tools that “you must have” “you can’t be a woodworker without this”. All rubbish. A few tools and some timber is all you need. And, as some else has said, a proper mindset. Then practice, and practice and….practice. Nothing good ever came first time. Practice sharpening, sawing straight, measuring accurately. All those cost nothing but are the real “must haves”. I don’t sell the tools that I no longer need - I give them to charities such as men sheds (which also have women) so that people can make things. A very good saying from over 100 years ago Patience and precision lead to perfection.

Great video John

If you’re starting hand tool woodworking please do not get a low angle Jack plane or at least don’t let it be your first hand plane. Purchase a bevel down traditional Jack or smoothing plane first. Learn how to tune sharpen and use that one first. Everything else I agree in this video

The first project can be a sharpening jig made out of wood and ball bearings. Not trivial either if you truly want your chisels to be dead square. Saves 70 bucks for the veritas jig.

Some many tools so little time.

The video and comments are great. I like everyone's take on what is essential. When I retire I will be spending a lot of time at the inlaws apartment. The biggest limitation will actually be sound. Plan on putting together a minimalist tool kit.

Category 4 - joining wood (glue, screws w driver, nails or wood pins w a drill) Category 5 - finishing - sandpaper

Cracking video. The only thing I'd question is not getting a proper marking knife. You can get a good one for just a few quid and it will last a lifetime.

I disagree about a couple of the "required" but nothing seriously enough to point them out. One thing missing though is some way to hold all the little bits together when gluing.

What is the best size of wood to start woodworking with let me know please thanks

John... this is why you have 10.5k subs.... that was a great video, well presented, well informed, empathetic to all viewers, constructive, enthusiastic and just great for anyone who is interested in woodworking. I think you should reward yourself ..... with a beer. Nice job John 😁👍.

I want to make furniture I can use, not small boxes.

What about assembling? Beside glue

Video starts at 3:43

How about a hand drill

Great video John

I’d rather hire an electrician who occasionally does woodworking than a woodworker who occasionally does electrical work 😂

Nice video. I like the shout out to Peter Sellers. Subscribed to your channel. Up the Déise

Great advice.. I would also say to check flea markets and yard sales you can find items also at pawn shops but those maybe over priced.

I recently merged my tools with my fathers (65 years of collecting) and am working on weeding them. This was helpful. Thank you for sharing.

Well done video thank you so very much.

Before ANY of these tools you need a workbench of some sort, to make your wee workbench lol!!!! so that's me fekked!!!! Why do people love spending lots of money on silly names, near as bad as women's handbags or men's fekking razors or beard oil for you hipsters!!! lol. Lidl/Aldi chisels about £8, brilliant! Check Paul Sellers!

Some comments, to this excellent video. - Buy the best you can afford, even if you are starting out. Back about a million years ago, our woodworking instructor told us that "the most expensive tool you can buy is a $5 hammer". - I would recommend Paul Sellers's book _Working Wood 1&2_ . Paul is the epitome of the craftsman, a true inspiration. And the bane of the power company. - I'm glad you stress _start small_ . I know a man (today, an extremely accomplished hobby woodworker) whose first dovetail project was done using only a Swiss Army knife and a screwdriver. (I'm not sure what he uses today, but I'm sure he's upgraded.) Around his dining room table are eight chairs, each in a different style, or from a different era. He made them all, and they're all beautiful. - *BEWARE OF "SETS"!* I wonder how many woodworkers out there have "sets" of drill bits, chisels, etc., in which most of the set is in "original" shape (through non-use)? I don't think the Webb telescope has found that number of stars, yet. Buy what you need--you'll save money, space, and time looking for things. - Last but not least: one woodworker, I think it was the late, great Sam Maloof, said that the first major tool an aspiring cabinetmaker should purchase is...a woodstove! They're great for, er, "memorializing" the projects that didn't quite work out. (Backwards dovetails, anyone...?) I certainly wouldn't recommend this, of course--but it's heartening to know that even the giants of the craft had their "oops!" moments. Semper shavings and sawdust!

wow.. same like me.. ia ma from electronic.. but in 2006 i went in cabinet making..for saving money. take care. cheers. azhar malaysia

Great video John forgot one thing the mug of tea. What was the clamps called?. Just going to start designing a shed for my wood turning kit plus carving. If I built a bench and don’t get advice could I use these clamps to clamp my car bins in?

A little while back you gave a quick demo of your Record Power Wetstone grinder and said you would produce a more detailed set up video; I could really use that right now, all my gouges have more faces than a typical politician!

Fantastic guide mate 👌🏼 would definitely include a basic bench vise though 🤟🏻

a professional electrician.. id say the chippies on site love you...haha. go on ya boy ya. Great videos fair play

Great set of tools. When I was young (school age) we had a static caravan on a site that was pretty much off grid (only the showers had power), all the caravans had gas lights/cooker/heater. My dad bought a big old double axle showmans caravan that was basically an empty shell and he and I spent a summer making all new fitted furniture for it and refurbishing it with no power tools at all - this was before battery drills were a thing for DIY. The tools I would add to the kit are: A two speed hand/breast drill (we had one with a 10mm chuck made in Poland) with a selection of bits (in low gear you could probably use a hex shank Auger up to one inch in softer wood) Screw drivers, we used a mid size Stanley Yankee (I still have that one, now about 60-70 years old, my dad bought it before I was born) and double ended phillips/slot one that came out of the tool kit in an Opel car he had A good box cutter/carpet knife - we had a 1970's Stanley clamshell design. A 12oz hammer - better for furniture than a carpenters or framing hammer. For a workbench we had a 1980's Black and Decker Workmate (they do NOT make them like they used to!).

Truth told, your toolkit grows with your experience...

You forget about drilling holes so a cheapish drill driver or wheel brace?

I got a set of chisels from Lidi and they are great they keep a edge i think they cost about €8

You should change the name of your channel to “Shed Man Working”

Love it. Have to look at your mini workbench video next. I at least have the Japanese saws.

You gotta love this channel ...glad I found it!

That's great advice John, a big thumbs up!!!

Great I formation, thank you.

КРУТО ЧУВАК! ЛЮБЛЮ ТВОЙ ПОЗИТИВ.

Good info, thanks!

Love this video as always. I think I'd add a hand drill to the kit. You'll need it for hinges for your boxes. And a sense of humour. I think you have that covered.

Very good advice John.

Well put. That’s a hard question.

Brilliant 👏

I forgot to comment on the video where u made that little wooden pencil case.. They were all the go back when I was in Primary and for a time even in 2ndary school.. It brought back some memories of when I was knee height to a midget.. LOL.. Great videos John mate.. Love the energy u put out and also put out the right info while doing it.. Fair play to ya mate and take it easy

I see you have a few of the tools from crimson guitars there aswell behind you. I got that set myself. Very handy

Great video! There certainly is need of hobbyist woodworkers on RU-vid. I love @mattestlea and @paulsellers, but the perspective and content you bring benefits us all!

This video was perfect in so many ways... well done Sir.

Great video. I jumped in on the advice of a friend and spent the best part of a grand on power tools. I can make some stuff I like but wish I'd seen this video prior as I've jumped a few skills so I will take a step back and try some of your advice. Thank you. Keep up the videos. I've watched a few. Great stuff

Very helpful vid & all delivered in a beautiful accent.

Is that the Matt Eastlea school cabinet?

Great video jut missed 3 items hammer, drill and screw driver after all you will need to stick it together.

I enjoyed the tips and ideas, cheers

Thank you SO much !!!

Thanks John !

Are you British or Aussie?

Excellent analysis of what one needs to get started. I started with a circular saw, a handsaw, a pencil, a square and a measuring tape, screw drivers and a hammer. Great for building big things... not so much for small stuff. But that was 25 years ago.

Just started as my son started to become a Carpenter. I'm Electrician too. Tools : ( the most expensive) veritas 62 plane + every chissel. Scissel bahco 434. 6 piece set Japanese sharksaw 9,14,19 tpi And for screwdrivers, etc : lidl Files :bahco 250mm Almost Free wood : 2nd hand sites and look for tables /cabinets

Genuinely the only tools you need are 3 chisels, bench plane and tenon saw. Optional then is block plane, Handsaw, sandpaper or dovetail saw. With just 3 chisels, bench plane and tenon saw I can make anything.