How Do I Choose the Best Woodworking Set?

A woodworking set will include several tools that are useful for various woodworking projects, but no two sets will be the same. You will first need to decide what kind of projects you will be doing so you can choose a woodworking set with the most appropriate tools for your purposes. Sometimes a set will be designed specifically for use with power tools, while others will include hand tools only. Be sure to consider how you will be working with wood to ensure you choose the right tools for the job.

A basic, entry-level woodworking set will include only the most basic tools used for woodworking projects. If you are a beginner and want to purchase a more comprehensive set, you may be able to find one that even includes a workbench. When considering such a woodworking set, be sure to carefully inspect the materials included for the workbench. Make certain that the materials are high quality and the bench is sturdy and useful. Cheaper materials may mean an unsteady work surface, which can not only mean more difficulty making great woodworking projects, but also possible safety hazards. The best benches often have low shelves for storage of tools and raw materials as well.

More advanced woodworkers may need a specific type of woodworking set that includes tools for a specific type of woodworking. A chisel set, for example, will be great for creating fine cuts and ornate designs, though such tools may not be as useful for a beginner. If the woodworker will be working with a scroll saw to create decorative pieces, he or she may consider purchasing a scroll saw kit that includes the tool itself as well as several blades and even possibly some patterns. A jigsaw may also be a useful purchase for such woodworking.

A clamp set is perhaps one of the most useful sets a woodworker can buy. Such a woodworking set will include clamps of various sizes, usually all of one style. A C-clamp set, for example, will feature C-shaped clamps useful for securing pieces of wood during cutting. The set may include several clamps of various sizes, or clamps of the same size but with different features such as padding to protect the wood from marring or cracking. Sometimes a clamp set will include various styles of clamps, from C-clamps to A-clamps or even certain types of vises that can be secured to a bench top.