My 13-year-old son is eager to dive into woodworking, especially since we just purchased a property with plenty of space and a sawmill at our disposal. Coming from a townhouse, I don't have any tools at the moment, but I want to support his interest. I'm curious if there are specific brands that cover both power tools and woodworking tools. I've been eyeing Milwaukee and Dewalt, but I wonder if sticking to one brand is beneficial. For starters, we'd probably be working in the garage and I need recommendations for a vacuum to manage sawdust. Additionally, apart from essential tools like a drill, sander, and table saw, what other tools would be critical for us as beginners?
3 Answers
Starting with some essentials, I’d recommend investing in a drill, sander, and table saw to kick things off. As you go along, just buy additional tools as you find you need them. If you plan on milling logs, a good planer will be super helpful. As for brands, you can't go wrong with the big names—Makita, Ryobi, and Milwaukee all have their loyal fans. For cordless tools, check what each brand offers, since options can vary. Bigger tools depend on your budget and accuracy needs—FB Marketplace is great for finding deals on those larger items!
If you're looking at brands, Festool is fantastic mainly due to their unbeatable dust collection system, which is crucial for maintaining a clean workspace. Sure, they’re pricier, but it pays off for health reasons. As for starting tools, I'd suggest a basic setup: a good drill, clamps, a hand saw, and maybe a workbench as your first project. Just buy tools as needed and focus on quality without worrying too much about sticking to one brand.
Before you dive into buying tools, think about some projects you and your son might enjoy building first. A really great beginner project could be making a workbench or a storage shed! Building your workspace gives you practical experience with measuring and cutting without the pressure of perfection. You can find plenty of free plans online; for instance, Everyday Shed on YouTube has great ideas!