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My Workshop: wood shop edition
70
items This is what’s in my woodshop or I want to be in my woodshop eventually.
Also, I’ll go ahead and spoil the surprise—if Ridgid makes it then I buy their version. You can’t beat a power tool and battery system with a lifetime service agreement.
Sections
15
Miter Saw & Accessories
Table Saw & Accessories
Routers & Accessories
Corded Cutting Tools
Cordless Cutting Tools
Sanding
Miter Saw & Accessories
Equipment devoted to crosscutting, miter, and bevel cuts. Plus any accessories you need to get the most out of your saw.
Has dual-sided bevel and miter capabilities and has a sliding function so it’s more than just a standard chop saw.
RIDGID | 12 in. Miter Saw
If you need to move your miter saw around your shop or a job site then this is a good accessory. If not, you can make your own stationary bench.
You can probably find better mobile stands, but this one comes with a lifetime service agreement.
RIDGID | Mobile Miter Saw Stand with Mounting Braces
It’s a digital measuring device designed specifically for a chop saw. I’d also consider it a luxury upgrade.
REEKON | M1 Caliber Digital Measuring Tool for Miter Saw
This protractor is different than other protractors because it is designed to make cuts on your miter saw easier.
WEN | Miter Saw Protractor
Extend your miter saw fences and make repeatable cuts with this doodad.
Rockler | Miter Saw Fence System with Micro-Adjust Flip Stop
Table Saw & Accessories
Section for rip cutting and all things table saw related. Although table saws can do more than rip cutting. They can do cross cutting, miters, bevels, dados, etc. I’ve seen some really creative cuts with table saws.
If you need to move your table saw around your workshop or job site then this model is great, but if you want a stationary one then Ridgid makes one of those too.
RIDGID | 10 in. Table Saw with Mobile Stand
It extends your table saw fence and provides optional attachments. I didn’t realize how much I needed it until I “saw” it.
BOW PRODUCTS | XT XTENDER Fence @ Woodcraft
It’s made from Steel and Brass instead of aluminum and has 27 precut angle stops. Powertec has a version with like 100 stops if that’s something you need, but it’s aluminum.
WEN | Miter Gauge
You can also make your own cross cutting sled if you prefer. But these are made by machines and I trust robots more than I trust people when it comes to precision and accuracy.
POWERTEC | Table Saw Cross Cutting Sled
Make a tapered board straight or a straight board tapered on your table saw with this jig.
POWERTEC | Taper/Straight Line Jig
Sliding guide for accurate ripping of wood very thin while increasing safety.
POWERTEC | Thin Rip Jig for Table Saw
Additional fence to your table saw’s miter gauge. Will help make better and safer cuts.
POWERTEC | Telescoping Miter Gauge Fence
Routers & Accessories
Routers and helpful accessories for all the different types of cuts you desire. Routers are very versatile tools if you can learn to master them.
I mainly use this one paired with a router table since it’s corded. But can also be used as a handheld tool when you need to make deeper cuts than a palm router will provide.
RIDGID | Corded Fixed Base Router - 11 Amp, 2 HP, 1/2 in.
Confirmed to work with the fixed base Ridgid router I recommended. If you find a metal table that is confirmed to work with the router then get that one instead.
RYOBI | Universal Router Table
For smaller (handheld) router jobs. You can give your projects nice looking sides with this so everything doesn’t look so boxy.
RIDGID | 18V Compact (Trim/Palm) Router - 1/4 inch
You will need the Ridgid track for this to work on your palm router. You can buy the track with or without the track saw. But it will help cut straight lines and provide stability.
RIDGID | Router Attachment for Track Saw
This can be used with the palm router or the track saw I recommended.
RIDGID | 55 in Track Saw Guide Rail - (2) 27.5 in Track
Corded Cutting Tools
Stationary, corded woodworking tools to sweeten your woodshop’s capabilities. Make sure you have enough outlets, each with their own fuse since each of these require a good deal of amperage.
Aids in making your wood flat. Alternatively there are router setups that can achieve this.
RIDGID | 13 in. Thickness Planer
It’s for getting precise measurements on a planer. I’d consider this a Luxury upgrade.
Wixey | Planer Digital Height Gauge
Aids in making your boards “square”. There are ways you can achieve this with your table saw and a special jig too though.
RIDGID | 6-1/8 in. Jointer
I think Ridgid used to sell a band saw, but until they bring it back to the market then I recommend this one if you want to pay less than $500.
Grizzly | 9 in. Benchtop Bandsaw
A variable speed lathe right at the $500 budget price point.
Grizzly | 10 in. x 18 in. Benchtop Wood Lathe
Cordless Cutting Tools
Portable, cordless cutting tools for your wood shop or job site.
Track saws bring the circular saw concept up a notch on precision and efficiency. Milescraft makes a kit to turn your circular saw into a track saw if you want to go that route.
RIDGID | 18V 6-1/2 in. Track Saw
I prefer the barrel grip style. It’s just a more comfortable design in my opinion.
RIDGID | 18V Barrel Grip Jig Saw
Here’s the traditional jig saw version if you prefer that over the barrel grip.
RIDGID | 18V Jig Saw
Sanding
Material removal tools for a smooth, professional finish. Some stationary, some portable. Make sure you read up on sandpaper grit and material so that you get the finish you are looking for.
Provides more control over your workpiece than using handheld sanders. Although you could make a jig and turn your handheld sanders and a drill into one of these.
RIDGID | Oscillating Edge Belt/Spindle Sander
For them big sanding jobs. Or with the right jig you can make it stationary and use on your project pieces like an edge belt.
RIDGID | 18V Belt Sander
My go to sander. Comfortable and good weight balance. The oscillating functionality helps with consistency of the work.
RIDGID | 18V 5 in. Random Orbital Sander
Square sanding sheets so it’s easier to get in the corners of a piece than with a round orbital sander. I would like to see Ridgid come out with a detail sander with a triangle head sometime though.
RIDGID | 18V 3-Speed 1/4 Sheet Sander
Ridgid doesn’t make a detail sander with the triangle sand paper, so I’ll use their oscillating multi tool with a detail sanding attachment for corners.
RIDGID | 18V Detail Sander (Oscillating Multi-Tool)
Drilling & Driving
Drills for making holes and drivers for filling the holes with fasteners.
Drills straight and precise holes every time. It’s only a 3/4 HP though, so if you need something with more power it won’t be a Ridgid at this point in time. Take a look at a more pricier Grizzly for those needs.
RIDGID | 15 in. 12-Speed Drill Press
It’s strong enough to drill into a concrete wall. Just make sure you are using the right bits and the right drill setting for the material you are drilling into.
RIDGID | 18V Hammer Drill/Driver
I seriously love having an impact driver. They work so much better at driving than a drill does. Also great to not have to change bits so often by having both.
RIDGID | 18V 4-Mode 1/4 in. Impact Driver
Nailing & Stapling
Power tools for an alternative fastening method to driving screws.
Headless pin nails for your small wood projects. Comes in handy with IKEA furniture too.
RIDGID | 18V 23-Gauge 1-3/8 in. Headless Pin Nailer
Nailer for weight bearing projects that a pin nailer is not suited for. For example, you can make your own furniture or kitchen cabinets.
RIDGID | 18V 18-Gauge 2-1/8 in. Brad Nailer
If an 18 gauge brad nailer doesn’t meet your needs then give this 16 gauge nailer a try.
RIDGID | 18V 16-Gauge 2-1/2 in. Straight Finish Nailer
For use on small staple jobs, for example, upholstery on a dining room chair or a mud room bench you are up cycling.
RIDGID | 18V 3/8 in. Crown Stapler
This stapler is for bigger jobs. It’s essentially the staple version of a brad nailer.
RIDGID | 18V 18-Gauge 1-1/2 in. Narrow Crown Stapler
Joinery
Tools to help aid in the process of joining pieces of wood together.
Great budget doweling jig. Works with different orientations too.
Milescraft | Joint PRO Professional Doweling Jig
Great budget pocket hole jig. Obviously the top of the like is the $400 Kreg machine.
Milescraft | Pocket Jig 400
Pretty expensive, but if you are obsessed with pocket holes then it might be worth it for you.
Kreg | 3/4 HP Electric Foreman Pocket Hole Machine
Clamping
You are going to want several styles of clamps for your joinery adventures. You don’t want your project to take forever because you are waiting on glue to dry to use your clamps again on another piece.
I’ve tried several brands and Bessey is my favorite. Home Depot also sells a different version of this same clamp.
BESSEY | 1/2" Pipe Clamp
If you are going to buy c-clamps then you might as well buy the deep throat versions. These come in 2 inch, 5 inch, 8 inch, and 12 inch throats.
PITTSBURGH | Deep Throat C-Clamps
I prefer these to spring clamps. Available in 1 in, 2 in, and 4 in. You will want several of each.
Masterforce | Ratcheting Hand Clamps
Masterforce doesn’t make a 3” version, but Menards carries these to help fill in that gap in availability.
TOOL SHOP | 3" Ratcheting Hand Clamps (2 Pack)
If these don’t interest you then you might as well purchase cheaper clamps. These are the reason to buy the Rockler version.
Specialty Jaw Attachment Set for Rockler Heavy-Duty Spring-Loaded and One-Handed Bar Clamps
Attachment capable, so better than your average clamp.
Rockler | Heavy-Duty One-Handed Bar Clamp
Same as above, but for the “medium duty” version.
Specialty Jaw Attachment Set for Rockler Medium-Duty Spring-Loaded Bar Clamps
Just like the “heavy duty” one but with less strength.
Rockler | Medium-Duty One-Handed Bar Clamp
Light duty clamps to round out your collection.
Rockler | Mini One-Handed Bar Clamps
Self explanatory on their usefulness—just look at the pictures.
Rockler | Hold-It Bench Clamps
The pictures should convince you of their unique abilities.
Rockler | Power Jaw Clamp
Measuring & Marking
Here are some of my woodshop only measurement tools. Take a look at my Measuring, Marking, & Layout list for more recommendations that work across multiple workshop types.
Makes adjustments quick and easy between your blade or bit and your fence.
WEN | Precision Blocks
A great tool to have in your toolbox to mark the center of a board’s edge.
Milescraft | CenterFinder
Templates to use to make multi angle cuts.
Rockler | Perfect Miter Setup Blocks
Get exact measurements when adjusting your blades and bits.
WEN | Precision Blocks
Hand Tools
Hand tools specifically for woodworking.
Don’t be fooled, these things are sharp!
PITTSBURGH | Wood Chisel Set with Clear PVC Handle, 4 Piece
Make flush cuts on dowels, pegs, and trim without scratching the surface using this flush cut saw.
PITTSBURGH | 6-1/2 in. Flush Cut Saw
Cleaning
Equipment to help keep your woodshop clean, which mainly comes down to controlling the wood dust. It’s also a health issue. Nobody wants to be coughing because of an irritated throat.
I like to mount these near each of my stationary power tools and attach them for wood chip and wood dust collection.
RIDGID | 5 Gal. 5 HP Portable Shop Vacuum Wet/Dry Vac with Wall Mount
I’ll use a rolling vac around the wood shop for my cordless power tools when I want to capture the wood dust.
RIDGID | 10 Gal. 6 HP Stainless Steel Shop Vacuum Wet/Dry Vac
1 HP, 800 CFM, 1 Micron Dust Collector Bags with a Mobile Base
More professional woodworkers use these instead of shop vacs like I do.
POWERTEC | Dust Collector
Safety
Better to be safe than sorry. These simple tools really can save your life.
Stay safe out there. Some people prefer to make their own out of wood because wood is more forgiving to your blade if it nicks your safety tools.
POWERTEC | Safety Push Block and Stick Set (5-Pack)
This comes in handy in multiple scenarios, but most importantly when making thin rip cuts.
Milescraft | Grabber Pro Push Block
Double stack version, or a two pack of regulars depending how you look at it.
Bow Products | FeatherPRO Stackable Featherboard Kit
The stiff foam feathers are supposed to enhance their effectiveness.
Bow Products | FeatherPRO Featherboard
Designed to be used vertically, but they work fine horizontally too.
Bow Products | FencePRO Featherboards
I prefer goggles to glasses because I wear glasses and they seam to fog less when wearing a mask.
RANGER | Safety Goggles with Detachable Face Shield
The reusable mask that should protect you from anything in your woodshop.
3M | OV/AG/P100 Professional Multi-Purpose Reusable Respirator
Workspace Building
Use these to build a giant custom workbench. Or take a look at my Workspace, Organization, & Storage list for more recommendations that work across multiple workshop types.
You can make slots on your tabletop with this and a dovetail bit.
Microjig | Matchfit Grid Router Guide Kit
Make your own dog hole tabletop with this.
Rockler | Dog Hole Routing Template