6 Basic Skills Every Woodworker Should Know

Sure, it's great to have a shop full of pro-quality tools, but you don't need them to craft the basic projects in WOOD® magazine. You can accurately cut, drill, joint, and glue up parts using only inexpensive equipment.

For starters, we're going to assume you have at least some common hand tools and measuring devices, and these few essential power tools shown at right: a benchtop tablesaw, circular saw, jigsaw, a plunge router with a basic assortment of bits, a cordless or electric drill, and a random-orbit sander. You'll also need a few inexpensive pipe clamps and budget-priced accessories such as a drilling guide. Now, let's see how much you can do with so few tools.