Handy Woodworking Tools for DIY Projects

 Below is a list of handtools that every DIY woodworker should have in my opinion, as a person with all these tools will be able to do a wide variety of tasks.

This list is partially for my own personal use, as I have used a check mark (✅) on each of the tools I currently own. I shall be updating this list periodically based on any new tools I acquire.

I have also included definitions of the various woodworking tools and what they are used for.

Last Updated September 18th 2017.

• Rip Saw - A wood saw that is specially designed for making a rip cut, a cut made parallel to the direction of the wood grain. ✅
• Bow Saw - A narrow saw stretched like a bowstring on a light frame, used for cutting corners.
• Jig Saw or Coping Saw - A tiny saw similar to a bow saw, but used for cutting very tiny curves on relatively thin wood. See also Fret Saw. ✅
• Key Hole Saw - A long, narrow saw used for cutting small, often awkward features in various building materials.
• Cabinet Saw - A fine tooth saw for making small and precise cuts. ✅
• Fret Saw - A saw with a narrow blade stretched vertically on a frame, for cutting thin wood in patterns. Similar to a jig saw.
• Smoothing Plane ✅
• Level ✅
• Square ✅
• Molding / Bevel Plane - Good for creating moldings or bevels in the edges of wood.
• Wood Mallet - For hammering a chisel. ✅
• Hand Auger - A type of drill. Powered by alcohol. Wink wink. ✅
• Stanley 45 or 55 Plane - Able to perform a variety of planing functions (45 or 55 different plane settings).
• Wood Lathe - While modern wood lathes are motorized and used for turning wood so they can be carved into circular bowls, spindles, etc... it is possible to get a foot powered wood lathe. And I would like one.

Foot Powered Wood Lathe

• Draw Knife - Used for cutting thicker shavings of wood. ✅
• Cabinet Scrapers - Useful for removing very fine shavings of wood. I just ordered two of these on September 18th off Etsy, so I guess that is now a ✅
• A Dowel Making Jig - Used for making nice straight wood dowels... I currently am in the process of building one. It is currently on the backburner however and I will have to finish it later.
• A Wide Variety of Wood Chisels - For carving wood. ✅
• A Wide Variety of Rasps and Files - For smoothing the rough edges off of wood. ✅
• Hatchet - A tiny axe useful for small jobs and finer cuts, easily portable. ✅
• Broad Axe - For chipping wood away from large logs.

And now we shall pause briefly for a YouTube video by Roy Underhill explaining how to use axes. Because it is entertaining and educational. Looking for more tools to add to your collection? I recommend watching episodes of the Woodwright Shop for ideas.