Hey everyone! I'm diving into woodworking and need your advice on the best measuring tools to get. I'm focusing on making cabinets, shelves, and other furniture where precision is key. I'm considering getting all the tools from the same brand if possible, but I'm not entirely sure what essentials I need. Here's what I'm thinking so far:
- Combination Square
- Tape Measure
- Rulers / Straight Edge / Edge Rule
- T-Square
- Speed Square
I'd love to hear your recommendations, including any other tools you think would be essential for starting out and that will last a while. Thanks a lot! Mahalo!
4 Answers
I keep it simple with some yardsticks and meter sticks—they work just fine if they all align. I also like Fastcap tape measures and highly recommend Incra’s T-rulers for more precision. Calipers are great for checking thickness too!
Honestly, I don’t think you need to stick to one brand. I use a mix because it's hard to find everything of the same brand anyway. My go-tos include a vintage Starrett combo square and various machinist squares. I have a selection of tape measures, a Fat Max for construction and a Stanley for smaller tasks. Just make sure to check if they all agree when you measure. A good starting point for measuring tools is to have a variety, including a few straight edges and speeds squares.
This is super helpful! Would these cover most of what I need for starting out?
Good to know I can mix brands! I was worried about compatibility.
For measuring tools, I swear by Lufkin's metric and imperial tape measures, especially the smaller ones. A steel framing square is essential too; make sure you learn how to adjust it for square. A combination square will serve you well for woodworking, and if you're looking for something top-notch, check out Mitutoyo; they outshine many modern tools. For speed squares, I recommend the large fiberglass ones. They tend to be the most reliable! And remember, it's about managing inaccuracies rather than striving for perfect measurements—trim your dovetails to fit, don’t rely on exact measurements!
I’m going for the Mitutoyo too based on your recommendations!
Great advice on managing inaccuracies! I'll definitely keep that in mind as I start woodworking.
What’s your budget like? If you're looking for high-end, brands like JessEm and Woodpeckers are popular, but if you're trying to save a bit, Wen tools are also solid and have received good reviews. They might be a more economical choice but still accurate enough for most projects.
I’m leaning towards Wen, I've seen some positive reviews as a budget option.
I don’t have a strict budget, but I want tools that will last long term. I’m considering Woodpeckers for their accuracy.
Thanks for recommending Fastcap! I’ll also look into Incra and see what they have.