Finding Inexpensive Tools We all want to have a shop full of tools. It gives us peace of mind knowing we can walk into our shop and be able to do any project that we want because we have what we need.

Despite the scammers, low ballers, and junk peddlers, Craigslist is still the go-to marketplace for many used items. Quality tools and outdoor power equipment move quickly on Craigslist, if they are priced right. Here’s how to find the best tools at the best price.

Are you new to woodworking?

If you are new to woodworking, you might be amazed by all the tools that are available. There is so many "experts" who say you need to buy this or buy that. Some say you need a large selection before even beginning your first project. It is in my humble opinion that you can do a whole lot of woodworking with just three power tools. Have you finally come around and decided to turn that available room or garage into a small woodworking shop? Plan on building some small projects like boxes, cutting boards or maybe something more ambitious like a chair? Maybe it’s a past time hobby like whittling that funny looking forest elf.

Beginning Shop Tools

Are you new to woodworking? If you are, you might be amazed (or annoyed) by all the tools that are available. There is so many “experts” who say you need to buy this or buy that. Some say you need a large selection before even beginning your first project. It is in my humble opinion that you can do a whole lot of woodworking with just three power tools. Those tools are a table saw, a router table, and a drill press. Lets take a look at why.

Essential Woodworking Hand Tools for Every Workshop

Although power tools have taken over many jobs, woodworking hand tools continue to hold a place of honor in the craftsman's toolbox. Many woodworking hand tools have evolved over centuries and are perfectly suited for their jobs.

Essential Tools for a Woodworking Shop

The suggestions in this post apply to the type of woodworking that is done by many readers: building mostly furniture and accessories, such as tables, chests, jewelry boxes, bookcases, and maybe a chair, using mostly straight but also some curved and sculptural elements, and employing a combination of machines and hand tools. It is assumed that money, time, and shop space are limited.

Your Tool Crib - Less is Better

Let's start off with the myth that you need a well equipped shop and some very expensive machinery. This is not true! I started with basic hand tools. My first woodworking project was a small step stool. Buying the right used tools is much more difficult than buying from a catalog or dealer who stocks everything needed to build a great shop. It requires a bit of guile and a good plan, but the payoff is worth it. Through careful choices and good fortune, I was able to outfit my shop with a blend of new and used tools for around $2,000.

Metallurgy Demystified: A Buyer's Guide to Tools

Without adequate information, the unsuspecting woodworker must rely upon the promotional "facts" that manufacturers use to sell their products. The truth about the composition of a tool is not always clearly stated. For example, high-speed steel often has the same amount of carbon as high-carbon steel. And high-speed steels often contain molybdenum or tungsten as their principal alloying element, the same ingredient used in carbide tools.