How do I set up a small woodwork shop for under $1,000?
In this answer I am assuming that you have an area to set your woodworking shop and now you are looking how to set up a small woodworking shop and get the most bang for your buck.
Setting up a small woodwork shop for under $1000.00 can be challenging, but achievable. Sorry in this article i have not included any pictures, I just wanted it to be short and sweet.
If you talk to any woodworker you will quickly find that if they set up their woodworking shop for $1000, the equipment that they have in their workshop now will far exceed $1000.00.
As you get further into your woodworking journey you will want more tools, better tools and replace damaged and old tools.
How do I set up a small woodwork shop for under $1,000?
The two main things you need when starting a Woodworking shop is tools and materials.
Materials will be determined by what you plan to make and will be an additional cost to the set up of your woodworking shop.
Now for the tools and Equipment.
It’s important to remember that you can buy the most expensive tools and materials but you will not get any return on investment if you do not use them.
Start off by buying the cheapest tools and equipment you can find and use them for a couple of weeks to get a feel for them.
As you progress through your woodworking journey, you will learn to make your own storage areas, benches and jigs.
In one of my previous articles “17 Woodworking tools for beginners” I list 17 tools that you will need to start out. Most of these are hand tools so you may be able to replace one or two with a power tool if the budget allows.
The below tools can be purchased for under $1000.00 and you can then start to create your woodworking projects and build yourself and woodworking bench to work on.
Woodworking Tools for Beginners Under $1000.00
- Carpenters Pencil
- Folding rule and/or tape measure
- Combination Square
- Sliding Bevel
- Hammer
- Drill Bits
- Chisels
- Planes – Jack Plane and a Block Plane
- Saws – Coping Saw, Dovetail Saw and Panel Saw
- Clamps – these vary depending on what you are building
- Screw Drivers
The above tools will get you started and if you shop around and can get some of these from garage sales and second hand stores, you should be able to start and set your woodworking shop for under $1000.00. If you feel that there is a tool that you may not use, then you don’t need to include that in your list.
There are of course some nice to have power tools that you may be able to get if you shop savvy for the tools above – these include;
- Table Saw
- Band Saw
- Drill Press
- Belt Sander
- Thicknesser
- Planer
Conclusion
To start off with you don’t need to have the best tools available, especially if your on a budget.
My advise would be to buy the tools you need to make a workbench. start making the workbench and you will then see what tools you need and how the tools you have are performing for your needs.
Remember, as you use your tools you will get to understand how they perform and feel and you will find out their little nuances which will enable you to get the best and most out of them.
Good luck looking for your tools, it’s time to get started.
Regards
Ben @ Been A Tree Wood
