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Starter Tools of a Small Business Workshop

Writer's picture: Rob SkomskiRob Skomski

Updated: Jan 24

*Disclaimer: The links featured in the pages below are affiliate links. By using these at no additional cost, I may earn a commission on the products.*


I decided to start making things, for people other than my family, when the wife of a family friend, asked if i could make her husband a cabinet out of a whiskey barrel.  She thought he would enjoy storing his bourbon collection inside of this low-frills OG barrel cabinet, and to this day, he still does.  Well, that initial kick start sent me going on this continuous journey, I call my own personal business.  Through ongoing trials, and hopefully not as many errors, I am still accumulating the necessary tools needed to get a wide variety of wood working jobs done daily.  But here is the rundown of the basics, for all of you ready for a new line of work, or in need of a good hobby.


The obvious first tool: the miter saw



Photo credit: Makita tools
Photo credit: Makita tools

My first miter saw was a gift to me on my first official Father’s Day, back in 2007.  It was a Makita 10” double bevel compound miter.  I used this saw in my home, on jobs, and in my shop, up until December 2024.  I cannot speak more highly of how durable this saw was, and still is.  It was just time for an upgrade.  


The first miter saw i purchased,as a business owner, is the DeWalt sliding, double bevel, compound 12” saw.  I’ve been using this saw for a month.  It has cut 9” thick barn beams, 2x4’s, plywood, and many barrel staves.

Photo credit: DEWALT tools
Photo credit: DEWALT tools

You gotta have a workbench


Photo credit: ROCKELER
Photo credit: ROCKELER

Having power tools, hand tools, and tool stations is all good, but you need somewhere to be able to put the materials you are manipulating together.  I went the easy route, and ordered a kit, that is literally four plastic legs.  You supply the 2x’s and plywood for the benchtop and cross supports, and drywall screws to fasten it all together.  So easy, yet rock-solid sturdy and 100 percent level and square.  Here is the exact set I’vehad for 10 years, and still holding strong.



Grippin’ and rippin’

 

Photo credit: Ridgid tools
Photo credit: Ridgid tools

One of my most used implements, is my Ridgid 10” table saw.  It is on a cart, not built into a workbench, which has been a goal of mine for a while.  But, i have ripped barn beams, hard wood, 2x’s, plywood, posts, and thousands and thousands of pallet boards on this saw.  The barn beams, you rip one side, flip it, and rip the opposite side.  Sometimes having to finish the middle by reciprocating saw.  This is a pricey one, but it is the only one I have ever owned, and it still cuts like a boss.



The supporting cast


  Every day is a unique challenge.  The tasks at hand, to get projects wrapped up, and products produced are always demanding on tools.  I regularly use a reciprocating saw for breaking down pallets.  For this reason, I go through a lot of these handheld beasts.  I have learned Harbor Frieght’s return policy is hard to beat, if you punish these “sawzalls” like i do.  Props to the brand Bauer, and their surprising durability and comfortable design in the reciprocating saw department.  


  I use routers of various brand names.  All hand me downs still.  I have a rotation of three handheld routers, of various sizes, that all kind of have their own niche.  One for a circle jig, which is a great implement for making my round barrel table tops.  Here is the one I trust to cut the outer edge, and make my glass inlay exactly precise.

Photo credit: Milescraft
Photo credit: Milescraft

Photo credit:DEWALT tools
Photo credit:DEWALT tools

The others are for shaping the edge of wood pieces.

 Sanding is probably the most loved job by all woodworkers (LOL), but a trusty and comfortable sander is key.  I have a corded sander, from Harbor Frieght, and a DeWalt cordless for quicker jobs, that i dont want to set up a cord to get to either.


 I also have a Porter Cable belt sander that will make short work of bigger jobs, that really need a good “who’s your daddy”.  That thing will take off on you, if you dont keep a good grip on it!


 A jig saw is the last I will go over, as it was what i used (and still do) prior to owning a large Jet bandsaw.  The jig saw can cut small and large objects that are a few inches thick or less.  It can be very detailed in the smaller cuts, or rip large pieces down to refine in the next steps of the project.  For my jig saw, I recently upgraded, and love my cordless DeWalt.  I had a super old, but reliable Sears jig saw from the 70’s.  When I switched to the battery powered DeWalt, I could not believe how much easier, and effortless cutting tabletops, or pieces of barnwood had become.  I highly recommend this model.

Photo credit: DEWALT tools
Photo credit: DEWALT tools

So many tools, so little time to cover them all!

 

 There are others I depend upon daily, or weekly, such as my band saw, planer, air compressor, oscillating tool, and lots and lots of hand tools. But, most of what i have described, will be able to get the majority of projects through the essential stages.  It is from there, that you as an individual, need to determine where your priorities lie, when it comes to deciding the next purchases.  It takes time and a little creativity, but if I went from working for somebody, to managing my own full-time small business, you can too.



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