What is a good first set of tools for a beginning woodworker?

That’s a VERY good list ! About the only add I’d make would locking pliars, Vice Grips..and in more than one size and type.

-- Glen, Vernon B.C. Canada

Thats a good list!

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Super list.
Wish I had the strenght to stop there…
Smiles,
Mads

-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.

This is a very good list. I would suggest a few possible changes or additions in the interest of efficiency (more with less). For example, I rarely ever even use the try squares that I have. If I were starting over again, I would purchase a good quality (like a Starrett) 12” Combi-Square and then purchase several different length blades for it. This can take the place of the rulers on your list and then can do several other functions. You can use it sort of like a marking gauge. It makes a very good depth gauge. And you simply cannot beat Starrett for precision and acuracy. I read recently that Ian Kirby uses a very sharp Swiss Army pocket knife for a marking knife, so that is something else that can do double duty. If cost is a big issue (I don’t know anyone that is isn’t) the scary sharp method using sand paper is a great way to get into sharpening without spending much money and my leather strop is a piece of mdf with a piece from an old leather belt glued to it. I would suggest being more specific with regards to the block plane and get a low angle for starters. It is the plane that I keep in my tool belt all of the time. If I were going to add anything it would be a little 4” Starrett double square. This is the handiest little square that I own. It stays in my tool belt or my pocket whenever I am in the shop and I used for everything from tool setup, marking out, depth gauge, etc.

-- Hey, woodworking ain't brain surgery. Just do something and keep trying till you get it. Doc

Don’t you guys consider clamps to be tools? You gotta have clamps.

By the way, very nice list, helluvawreck.

-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.

Thanks, Doc. You have made some very good points. A beginner could do what you are saying and then add the others at a later time if they wanted to or not add them at all. Very good.

-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau

Very good list.

People forget how much you can do with a simple jackknife… instead, they assume you need a $100 tool to do the same task, just as effectively..

One thing I would add, is a small sledge hammer(useful for splitting blocks with a chisel/other) and a dead blow hammer. I personally have never used the latter, but they are said to be extremely useful…

-- "Ah, So your not really a newbie, but a I betterbie."

Fine woodworking magazine has a list in the curent issue of the 12 tools that a woodworker can’t do without. It was more of a list for someone with power tools and not really a bigginer list but it did explain why you needed each tool and was very informative. The only problem is I can’t remember most of the tools that were on there so I can’t post them.

newbie, you just made me think of another one – a woodworkers hatchet.

-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau

Beautiful list, just what I was thinking. Pretty much how I started.
Affordable, readily available, transportable and pretty much able to build most anything.

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

#2 pencil and pencil sharpener. :)

What about a shop dog? That’s the first thing I’d get!

-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com

not a bad list :-)
Dennis

Good list

If you are looking at a basic hand tool shop set I would echo the hand ax and add a froe if working from rough lumber or getting into green stick chair making.

Top of the list would be the Starrett (or equivalent quality) machinist square set (includes center finder and protractor attachment) . It doubles as a depth gauge, center finder, accurate scale, angle gauge, etc. Whether hand or power tool shop, accuracy is a key to fine work. This is the one “modern” invention that can make your life much easier, and is the one area you do not want to skimp on. If accurate, it will be the most valuable tool in your shop. If inaccurate, the one you curse the most. Not saying that many a great craftsman did not have this in the past, but I would bet they would have readily spent a month’s pay to have one.

To the files I would add a four-in-hand rasp. If only one wood file, that would be the first. I use mine extensively (and I am not a galoot).

First work project is a set of knee-high saw horses. Need them to make the tool tote and work bench. They will support sheet goods, are great for assembling cabinets, etc, and give you a place to sit while taking a break and pondering why you ever decided to subject yourself to all this self-abuse.

In deciding, just follow the process to determine what tools are really needed:

Take rough wood and dimension it square, straight and flat, (or make it round).

Take the square, straight, flat (or round) wood and join it together.

No more complicated than that. ROTFL

Go

-- Go http://ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=730

Great list. I’d switch the steel rules for stainless steel as most home shops encourage rust and I’d add a 1/8 chisel for cleaning out tight dovetails.

-- The nicer the nice, the higher the price!