If you’re based in the US here’s a list of carpentry tools that might help you to get started. We’ve tried to find US equivalents of stuff we either currently use, have used or would consider using – please read the note at the bottom of this page for a bit more information. If you’re in the UK visit this page instead. These are all trusted affiliate links and you can read more about that here.
Health & Safety
Big Carpentry Power Tools
- WEN 3966 14″ Bandsaw
- DeWalt DW745 Job Site Table Saw
- DeWalt DW7440RS Rolling Saw Stand
- Festool TS55 REQ-F-Plus USA Track Saw
- Festool 55″ Guide Rail (FS1400)
- Festool 32″ Guide Rail (FS800)
- Festool D27 x 3.5m Anti-Static Dust Hose
- Evolution Mitre Saw Stand
- Makita LS1040 10″ Compound Mitre Saw
Smaller Carpentry Power & Air Tools
- Makita XT218 18V Impact Driver & Combi Drill Pack
- Makita HR2475 SDS Drill
- Makita 4350FCT 6.3A Jigsaw
- DeWalt DCK277C2 20V Impact Driver & Combi Drill Pack
- DeWalt DW682K Biscuit Jointer (6.5A)
- DeWalt DWE6423K 5″ Random Orbit Sander
- Bosch 1250DEVS 6″ Random Orbit Sander
- Bostitch BT1855K 18g Air Brad Nailer
- DeWalt DWFP55130 Quiet Compressor
- Bosch GOP 40-30 Oscillating Multi-Tool
- Bosch Colt Palm Router with Plunge Base
- Triton TRA001 Precision Plunge Router
Saw Blades
Glues, Nails & Screws
- Akfix 705 CA Glue with Activator
- Titebond 2 Premium Wood Glue
- Trend No. 20 Biscuits (1000 x)
- Trend No. 10 Biscuits (100 x)
- Porter-Cable 18g / 1-1/4″ Brad Nails (5000 x)
Filling & Sanding
- 3M Bondo Wood Filler
- Elmer’s E868 Carpenter’s Wood Filler (Natural)
- Mirka 6″ p80 Sanding Discs (50 x)
- Mirka 5″ p120 Sanding Discs (50 x)
- 4″ x 60ft Drum Sander Roll p60
- Warner ProGrip Putty Knife 1-1/2″
- Warner ProGrip Putty Knife 3″
Bits & Bit Holders
Measuring & Marking
- Advent Vice-Versa Double Sided Metric Tape Measure
- Swanson 7″ Framer / Rafter Speedsquare
- Swanson 12″ Framer / Rafter Speedsquare
- Stanley Chalk Line
- Swanson Sliding Bevel
- Starrett 7″ Aluminium Pro-Site Protractor
- Bosch 4-in-1 Digital Angle Finder
- Professional Drawing Compass
- Digital Cable Detector (Unbranded / Bosch)
Paints & Finishes
Woodworking Books
- Good Wood Guide (Albert Jackson, David Day)
- Finish Carpentry (Taunton Press)
- Shelves, Cabinets & Bookcases (Taunton Press)
- Built-ins and Storage (Taunton Press)
- Bookcases, Cabinets & Built-ins (Taunton Press)
- Trim Made Simple (Gary Katz)
- Get Your House Right (Marianne Cusato & Ben Pentreath)
- The Impractical Cabinetmaker (James Krenov)
- Good Clean Fun (Nick Offerman)
- Making Time (Bob Clagett)
Other Stuff
- Stanley Sortmaster Junior Organizer
- Farmunion Hollow Wall Setting Tool
- Yellow Frogtape Delicate Surface (1-1/2″)
- Electric Pencil Sharpener with Helical Blade
- Etekcity Wireless Remote Control Outlets (5 x)
- Slater Mechanical Bathroom Scales
- Air Duster Blow Gun
Camera & Tech Gear
- Giant Squid Audio Lab Omnidirectional Microphone
- Zoom H1n Handy Digital Recorder
- Canon EOS Rebel T7i DSLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens
- Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Lens for Canon
- Anker Vertical Ergonomic Wireless Mouse
- Wacom Intuos Medium Pen Tablet with Bluetooth
- Contour Design ShuttlePRO v2 Remote Jog Wheel
A quick note about buying your own carpentry tools
We have a very simple attitude to buying tools – we buy the best tools we can afford to get the job done. We’re not tied to any particular brand or sponsor and prefer to keep options open so that we can buy the best tool available. Obviously some of the joinery tools used are old and you can’t buy them any more, so we’ve tried to find equivalent newer models where possible, or models we’d consider purchasing when our tools finally give up the ghost. As such this list is constantly evolving so please keep checking back! Do your own homework – our product links are just intended as a starting point so you know what we’d consider using. Keeping this list up to date is a bit of a challenge so if you spot a mistake please get in touch – thank you!
Last updated: 16 Aug 2018