My essential tools

In my latest book I have distilled down the tools I use into categories depending on the section in the book. In one category, where we are carving and shaping wood, I have isolated the simplest tools I use for a variety of tasks such as bowl carving, making spoons, scraping  and so on. The next category is the joinery section we use for a range of jointed projects and the last category are tools I associate with sharpening alone. Each category has between 9-10 tools I consider basic but essential to my work and so too for those getting started in real woodworking where they want to establish good hand skills instead of limiting themselves to what the machine can do for them. The lists are:

Shaping tools

Four-way rasp

Gouge

Spokeshave

Coping saw

Scraper set

Hand saw

Tenon saw

Chisel set

Chisel hammer or mallet

Smoothing plane

Joinery tools

Combination square

Tape measure

Sliding bevel

Layout knife

Combination gauge

Tenon saw

Chisel set

Chisel hammer or mallet

Smoothing plane

Hand router

Sharpening tools

Flat file

Saw set

Burnisher

Buffing compound

Sharpening atone (Whetstone)

Saw file

Strop

Nail punch (set)

Hammer

Many of these you may already have. I have already begun my minimalist list here on previous blogs to get you started in the looking-buying process. As time permits I will try to complete the list.

I buy lots from eBay, second hand from garage sales and flea markets and places like that. I would rather pay more from a garage sale than see it go to landfill or be unused for the remainder of its life. $20-30 is not too much to pay for a plane you can use for 50 years and more and neither is it too much to pay for an old Henry Disston saw. My work is all about getting you doing it for yourself so I will rarely advocate buying disposable tools such as throwaway saws and knives. I want you to be able to sharpen your tools and hone your skills in the process.

I promise to only give you the truth s best I know it and to the best of my ability. After that you can make your own educated decisions as to which method, technique or tool is best suited to you, but at least it will be educated.