Hey everyone! I'm in my 20s and eager to dive into joinery as a new hobby—I'm tired of cheap cardboard furniture and want to create my own beautiful pieces over time. I'm currently living in a sharehouse while studying, so I don't own any tools and my budget is pretty tight. I have a few questions before I start: 1. What are the absolute essential tools I'd need to make simple items like tables and shelves? I'd prefer hand tools since space is limited. 2. Should I be heading to Bunnings for all my timber needs? I've seen some cheaper tools available on platforms like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace as well. 3. What should I expect to spend to get started, and how much would each project typically cost? I believe in the "use it until it breaks" strategy for tools, so I'd appreciate any guidance or personal experiences you might have, no matter where you're from. Thanks a bunch!
3 Answers
Check out your local woodworking guild or a men's shed! They often have the tools and community support to help beginners. You’ll get practical advice and access to better equipment without the hassle of buying used tools that might not be reliable. And when purchasing from Bunnings, avoid cheaper brands like Ozito. For timber, while Bunnings is fine for practice, their quality varies, so look into places like Trend Timbers for better options. You'll see what I mean when you start working with higher quality materials!
Space is going to be your biggest issue here. If you can, look into joining a men's shed where you can utilize their tools and workspace. It’s a great way to get started without needing to buy everything at once. I recommend picking up a table saw and a planer—it'll allow you to work with nicer woods from specialty shops rather than just Bunnings. For hand tools, picking a solid drill/driver set is also key, plus a plan for dust cleanup like a shop vac if you can manage it. That way, you keep your workspace tidy too!
Great to see your enthusiasm! You can definitely start out with hand tools if that's your way of doing things. I’d budget around $250 for the basics: a tape measure, a tenon saw, a combination square, a chisel, and a hammer. Don’t forget clamps—they're super useful! For PPE (personal protective equipment), mask up for your lungs and protect your ears, too. And when you're ready for power tools, Ryobi is a good entry-level brand with a solid battery system.