Many beginners in woodworking often feel discouraged by the cost of setting up a workshop, particularly when they think they need a shop full of power tools. Fortunately, you don’t need a vast array of tools to get started. With just five relatively inexpensive power tools, you can tackle almost any project and begin your woodworking journey confidently.

1. Power Drill

A power drill is essential for any carpentry workshop and a must-have in every home. My first power tool purchase was a Black and Decker hammer drill back in 2015, primarily for home repairs and maintenance. I continued using it as I started building, unaware of the difference between an average drill and a high-quality one until I bought my Ryobi. The difference was night and day—having a compact, well-balanced cordless drill made everything easier. When choosing your drill, look for a comfortable grip with an ergonomic design, a compact size, and a powerful motor that can easily reach tight spaces.

2. Circular Saw

A circular saw is a versatile tool in any workshop. While some might think it’s not ideal for fine woodworking and is best for slicing through sheet goods, with careful measurement, clamps, and an edge jig, a circular saw can be surprisingly precise. When working on a budget, investing in a quality circular saw is crucial. My Bosch saw has been a reliable workhorse, delivering fast, straight cuts with ease. Although it lacks variable speed, it’s perfect for building cabinets, tables, beds, or cutting through sheet goods.

3. Jigsaw

A jigsaw is another invaluable tool for a beginner's workshop. Its thin blade, which moves vertically, allows it to cut tight areas and curves, though it’s not ideal for cutting thick stock. Despite this, it’s still incredibly versatile. You can tackle many projects with a jigsaw before moving on to a bandsaw. I recommend a corded jigsaw with good balance and variable speed settings. My Black & Decker has served me well, even though Bosch and Makita are considered superior. A jigsaw is perfect for controlled cuts, especially curves and small pieces. It can make long straight cuts too, but they won’t be as clean as those made with other saws. Adding a jigsaw fence will significantly improve your control and help you achieve straighter cuts.

4. Orbital Sander

The fourth must-have tool for any woodworker is a random orbital sander. While you might find cheaper models or palm sanders that use regular sandpaper cut into quarters, an orbital sander is in a class of its own. The hook-and-loop sandpaper system might seem expensive in the long run, but the orbital motion ensures your projects remain scratch-free, unlike a palm sander. Trust me, you’ll appreciate the difference. Bosch is my go-to brand for this tool—nobody does it better.

5. Router

I hesitated to buy a router for a long time, only finally purchasing one when I absolutely needed it for a project. A router is used to remove material, but it does much more. Like a power drill, it moves in a circular motion on a central axis at a very high RPM. The real magic lies in the variety of bits. Whether it’s creating designer edge moulding on furniture, cutting grooves or dados, making right-angle grooves for picture frames, or drilling large holes in the middle of a workpiece—a router can do it all. There are two main types: fixed and plunge base, but we’ll explore those details in another post. For beginners, I recommend a palm router, also known as a trim router. It’s easy to use, lightweight, portable, and will remain useful even if you later invest in a heavier-duty model. Both Bosch and Makita offer excellent options, though a woodworker friend also recommended the Dongcheng as a budget-friendly alternative. I haven’t tried it myself, but at under 2000 bucks, it might be a steal.