I'm new to woodworking and haven't started at all. I'm 18 and my dad and I have never really worked with our hands before, but I'm eager to dive into woodworking for some self-fulfillment and maybe earn a little cash on the side. I'd love to work up to making birdhouses eventually, but I think starting with coasters is a reasonable goal. The problem is that we don't have many tools. Right now, I only have a handsaw and a power drill. I'm looking for advice on the absolute minimum tools I'll need to make coasters, as I want to keep costs down while starting out. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!
3 Answers
For making coasters, a handsaw and a power drill should be more than enough to get you started. You’ll also want some sandpaper in various grits to smooth the edges. A good tip is to seal your coasters afterward; I like using hard wax oil for a nice finish. As you progress, you'll naturally accumulate more tools, but starting simple is definitely the way to go.
A circular saw, drill, and sander should cover a lot of ground for what you want to do, even when you get to the birdhouses. Don't be afraid to jump straight into making a birdhouse—you might surprise yourself with the results! Good luck, and enjoy the process!
You don't have to go all out when starting with woodworking! Really, you can start with just hand tools—a handsaw, a cheap plane, and sanding blocks can work for coasters. It'll be a workout, but it's achievable! If you lean towards power tools, a circular saw or jigsaw can really speed things up. Don't forget to check out some beginner woodworking channels on YouTube for great tips and projects!
Absolutely! Rex Kruger has some fantastic videos on hand tool woodworking. I really recommend his stuff.
Just be cautious with cheap hand planes; they can be a real pain with setup!
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm excited to start!