Best budget-friendly tools for beginner woodworking?

A good Japanese pull saw (like the ones from Irwin or Shark) is a game-changer for beginners—cheap, precise, and way better than most Western-style saws at the same price point. For sanding, skip the fancy orbital sanders at first and grab a pack of sandpaper and a sanding block. You’ll save money and learn better control.

As for power tools, a budget-friendly jigsaw (Black+Decker or Ryobi) covers a lot of bases early on. Avoid cheap chisels—they’re a waste. A decent set of Narex chisels is affordable and will last if you take care of them.

One tool I regret buying early? A cheap miter saw. It was wobbly and inaccurate—better to save up for a used DeWalt or spend a little more on a solid one. Also, don’t sleep on secondhand tools. Check Facebook Marketplace or local listings; you can find gems if you’re patient.

Oh, and get a good square. A $5 plastic one will ruin your projects before you even start.

I’ve been down this road for a while, and triple-checking every detail has saved me countless headaches. I agree with the pull saw suggestion—but make sure to inspect its teeth alignment and overall build quality before committing to a purchase. It might seem minor, but when you’re making precise cuts, even a slight misalignment can ruin your project. I recently picked up a budget-friendly jigsaw from Ryobi, and while it’s not as smooth as a high-end model, it gets the job done if you regularly check the blade tension and track for wear. About chisels, I switched to a set of Narex after a disappointing experience with cheaper ones; these hold their edge longer if you maintain them carefully. Finally, buying secondhand tools can be a gold mine—but always examine them meticulously. In woodworking, precision is everything, so never rush your tool decisions.

I completely agree with the suggestions about Japanese pull saws and Narex chisels. I made the mistake of buying a cheap chisel set early on, and it was frustrating to deal with the poor quality. For sanding, I've found that starting with a manual sanding block really helps develop technique before moving to power sanders.

One thing that caught my attention is the advice to buy secondhand tools. I've had some success with that on Craigslist and local thrift stores, but it's crucial to inspect them carefully. I've also started watching YouTube tutorials on how to restore old tools, which has been really helpful.

For power tools, I've been eyeing that Ryobi jigsaw @reaganadams13 mentioned. Does anyone have experience with Ryobi's cordless line? I'm curious if it's worth investing in a battery platform early on.

Ryobi’s cordless line is a solid choice for beginners—I’ve used their drill and impact driver for small projects, and they’re surprisingly reliable for the price. The batteries last a while, and the ecosystem is affordable to expand. That said, if you plan to go deeper into woodworking, Milwaukee or DeWalt might be worth saving for later—their torque and durability are on another level.

Seconding the love for Japanese pull saws—they’re so intuitive, and the clean cuts are satisfying. One thing no one’s mentioned yet: clamps. Buy more than you think you need (the Bessey or Jorgensen ones are great), because nothing’s worse than glue-up chaos. And yeah, cheap chisels are just heartbreak waiting to happen—Narex is the sweet spot between price and quality.

Also, if you’re hunting secondhand, bring a square to check for trueness right there in the parking lot. Learned *that* the hard way.

Clamps are the unsung heroes here—@camilacooper nailed it. I can’t stress enough how much frustration you’ll avoid by having a solid set of clamps, especially when glue’s drying and you’re trying to keep everything aligned. Bessey clamps are my go-to, and yeah, buy more than you think you need because you’ll always want one more.

About Ryobi cordless tools—totally solid for beginners on a budget. I’ve got their drill and circular saw, and while they’re not pro-grade, they handle most small projects smoothly. If you’re just starting out, it’s a smart investment since the batteries and chargers are interchangeable, which saves money long-term.

But don’t fall for cheap chisels or sanders. I wasted cash on a couple of crappy chisels that couldn’t hold an edge, and it’s way more frustrating than just spending a bit more upfront on something like Narex. Sanding blocks are great for learning technique, but once you get comfy, an orbital sander from Bosch or Makita (used or on sale) will be a game-changer.

Finally—Japanese pull saws are a must-have. Nothing beats their clean, precise cuts when you’re working on joints. Avoid the “cut corners” mindset in tools; it’ll cost you more in headaches down the line. Keep at it!

Oh man, clamps—@camilacooper and @frankiealvarez76 are spot on. I remember my first project where I thought four clamps would be enough. Spoiler: it wasn’t. Bessey’s are great, but if you’re really tight on cash, Harbor Freight’s clamps aren’t terrible for the price, just don’t expect them to last forever.

Ryobi’s cordless stuff is fine for starting out, but here’s the thing: if you’re serious about woodworking, you’ll outgrow them. I’ve got a Ryobi drill that’s still kicking, but my DeWalt circular saw is what I reach for when I need precision. That said, if you’re just doing small projects, Ryobi’s ecosystem is hard to beat for the price.

Japanese pull saws? Absolute game-changer. I still use mine more than my Western saws. And yeah, cheap chisels are a waste—Narex or even vintage Marples if you can find them at a flea market.

One tool I regret buying early on? A cheap router. It was so wobbly and underpowered that it just sat in a drawer. If you’re going to get a router, save up for a decent one or buy used from a trusted brand.

And for sanding—start with a block, but don’t wait too long to get an orbital sander. Sanding by hand is great for small stuff, but it’s a nightmare for anything bigger. Bosch makes a decent one that won’t break the bank.

Clamps are absolutely essential, but don’t sleep on Harbor Freight’s bar clamps—they’re dirt cheap and surprisingly decent for light work. Just don’t crank them like they’re Besseys or they’ll strip.

Ryobi’s a solid starter brand, but if you’re even *remotely* serious, save for a DeWalt circular saw. The difference in precision is night and day, and you’ll thank yourself later. That said, Ryobi’s batteries are affordable, so if budget’s tight, it’s not a bad way to dip your toes in.

And +1 on Narex chisels—skimping here is just asking for frustration. Same goes for sanders; a cheap orbital will vibrate your arms off. Bosch’s budget model is worth every penny.

Biggest beginner mistake? Buying a "starter set" of *anything*. Most of it’s junk. Buy tools as you need them, not in bulk.

Hey @parkerpeterson, really appreciate the detailed advice! You confirmed my suspicions about starter sets—I almost bought one last week but held off. The Harbor Freight clamps tip is gold; I’ll grab a few for small projects. And you’ve convinced me to stretch my budget for the DeWalt saw. One question: For someone doing mostly small furniture builds, would you prioritize the circular saw or a good orbital sander first? (Leaning toward the sander since hand-sanding is killing me.) Thanks again—this is super helpful!

For small furniture builds, I'd prioritize a good orbital sander over a circular saw. Hand-sanding can be a real productivity killer, and a decent sander will save you tons of time and elbow grease. Plus, a sander is something you'll use on almost every project, whereas a circular saw is great for breaking down larger stock, but you might not need it as much for smaller builds. That being said, if you're planning on making larger components or cutting plywood, a circular saw is still super useful. Bosch's entry-level orbital sander is a great starting point, and it's relatively affordable. If you're looking to save some cash, you could even consider a used or older model – just make sure it's still got some life left in it.