watching these kind of videos makes me realize how nice my high school woodshop was

As a woodworker/cabinet maker for the last 30 years or so, I think this is a great list. I'd like to add a few little extra bits of my own, if I may, in no particular order: 1. You can never have too many clamps. 2. Table saw - if you're buying a small table saw, get one that allows you to change the blade from the top. Might sound like a no brainer, but some small saws require the whole machine to be flipped over to change the blade which is a nuisance, believe me, especially if it is on a stand. 3. Cutting tools - buy decent cutting tools, whether they be saw blades, router bits, drill bits, whatever. Buying cheap ones is a false economy as they go blunt really fast and will either give crappy cuts or you'll have to change them more often. Same with glue - buy decent glue. It'll hold way better than cheap stuff. 4. The drill press - the floor standing ones are great, but keep in mind some manufacturers offer a bench top version of their floor standing drills. I have a big Record Power pillar drill that has a 3 foot post instead of 6 feet. This allowed me to make a heavy duty drawer unit on wheels so I have the height and power of the floor standing drill, but with storage for all the drill bits, sanding drums etc and, if I need to, I can move it easily. I have never needed to use the full height of the bed (who needs to drill through 3 feet?) so it works really well. 5. You can never have too many clamps. 6. Band saws - if you're buying floor standing shop tools, a band saw is very useful and should be considered in addition to the items in the video. 7. Routers - to reiterate what was said in the video, routers are incredibly flexible tools that will massively increase the scope of what you can do with your projects. They can be a bit scary, but as long as you stick to the recommended speeds, make shallow cuts and don't do anything silly, they're quite safe to use. 8. Shop vac - worth looking at if you're going to be using power tools. These machines can create a huge amount of dust and chips, and a shop vac will help alleviate that and make tidying up much easier. 9. Biscuit joinery - as well as pocket hole screws, you might want to look at biscuit joinery, especially for cabinet making. It removes the need for screws, nails etc and creates very strong, completely invisible joints. 10. You can never have too many clamps.

This is a great list, but I honestly would not consider some of these tools "beginner tools." My list would only include a circular saw, a jigsaw, a drill-driver combo, a random orbit sander, a shop vac, and F-clamps. My rationale is that power tools like the table saw and the router may come across as intimidating to a new woodworker. Plus, some of these suggestions are not cheap; a benchtop jointer, for example, is going to run you at least $300-$400, and even the low-end thickness planers are going to run you $400. Obviously, I'm not accounting for something you might be able to find on the secondhand market, but a novice is likely not going to know enough to make an informed purchase. The better approach, in my opinion, is to start simple, get comfortable making some basic projects, and then start buying tools as you find a need for them. Beyond this, I do compliment you on your explanation of these tools and their purpose.

As a novice I'm really interested by your pocket holes comment. Can you do a video showing when to use and not to and why?

I like how everything is "the most versatile tool in the shop" :D

Thank you so much for creating this list of tools. I find this extremely helpful. I'm at the beginning stages of woodworking and your expertise takes the guesswork out of the equation. Creating this list of tools and adding it to my iPhone for future purchases. Thanks again!! You are slaying the game and educating me with each video.

I’m in carpentry class right now, inspired by you, but I will watch this once I’m done. Thank you for all you have shown and taught me!

Thanks so much! Love all your videos. Yep, I'm a beginner and have been doing wood/epoxy projects with the most basic tools. I'm wanting to expand on my tools and this helps a bunch!!

As a total hobbyist, I really appreciate this! Thanks, really terrific, hope you keep going with it!

16:08 one of the quickest tool showdowns ever, thanks for that!

Thank you for this video. I’ve been woodworking for over 2 years now, and I’m officially obsessed! My husband remembers you from the Steelers. I have a lot of these tools we’ve bought over the last year, except a router. That’s my next purchase, and a planer. My dad was very much into woodworking and has a wood shop in his house. I drool over all of his equipment whenever I visit.

Was a past homeowner woodworker, you are getting me back into it now that I am retired from my job! Thanks!

Thanks for the great video, My girlfriend started watching these videos with me and now I have to remodel her closet... Sound advice I used a job site for years before I got a table.. still use the job site when i have too work out side the shop.

18 volts = more power.. lol anyone else hear Tim "the tool man" Taylor!! Keep it up we love the channel...

I love your videos as I am a starting Wood worker. I'm glad you keep is simple and straight to the point. Keep it up.

100% agree with Malecki on the Router being lower on the list. I was terrified of it, which I knew that fear could lead to more mistakes on it rather than make me use it in a safe manner. So I didn't use one till I was about a year into learning woodworking. After that, it's become a staple in my tool use, but I made lots of things without one too. Malecki is bang on in this regard. Also the video is pretty great for beginners. So if you're new listen to his advice.

Hey thanks for the vid it really helped me

I was blown away like a queef in a tornado, by the dewalt 12v performance .

This is the video I needed all this time. Just getting started with woodworking.

Another great video John. Love the no bs approach to the advice you give.

Great video John! I'm new to woodworking so this was very helpful for me , I also really liked your last video on the bar stolls would love to see more smaller projects like that. keep up the great work!

love the Black Rifle Coffee Co banner. thumbs up for that alone

Thank you. This is incredibly helpful. I am a big DIYer but in the most archaic sense. The only saw I have is a 30 year old hand saw. The only power tool I have is a cordless drill. I have been wanting to buy a power saw for a while but feel overwhelmed when shopping. Thank you for telling me EXACTLY what to get. This is just what I needed. Now to go check out your other vids.

Just found you great tips single mom and needing to learn all these handy skills so far I love your teaching very easy to understand 🙏❤️

Great video John, good info. The I-Beam clam is not a new innovation. I have two of them in my shop that I got from my Uncle, that are over 50 years old, they were made by Jorgenson which I think that Bessy bought out a few years ago. They are really great for heavy duty clamping and are heavy as hell.

Love you too bro! Thanks for the killer videos!

Gotta be one of the best 10 tools for beginners out there. Really appreciate your honesty and explaining the reasons for them on the list and their location.

John thank you so much I have been waiting for an video like this. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work make on my friend great videos

Hey John! Loving the content as always! As an aspiring woodworker, I would love to see a video dedicated to re-sawing and breaking down raw lumber efficiently/correctly. Much love from a fellow Sam in New Zealand!

And 11: enough space in the shop to have all these tools 😄

Man, I love the way you film, speak, and explain. This was a great video for my limited woodshop to avoid wasting money but I can just binge your videos that aren't even relevant to me. You keep them incredibly entertaining and educational. Thank you!

Thanks for showing all levels of tools! It's easy to watch youtube videos and see wall to wall Powermatic/Jet/Festool/etc... tools and think you have to have them to make cool stuff.

Bessey, as sponsor: "We will give you $10,000 for your show" Next day in the mail, 15 clamps are found on the front porch...

I got my first impact drill, grinder and circular saw the other day, so stoked!!! XD

GOD Bless You My Brother! Thanks For The Lesson “Teacher”, Truly My Friend. ONE LOVE!

Running this video in the format you did for the bar stools would also be great. Like others mentioned, that format is really fun and engaging. Thanks John!

Ha! You post a video stating the dangers of a router, literally the day after I nearly lost a whole fingertip to mine. Luckily, it didn’t end up as bad as it could have (still blood all over my workpiece and shop), and I was right back to using it the next day to finish a job.

I think we all need to know where you got that Ron Swanson picture. That should be a necessity in every woodworking shop

Enjoyed your opinion on this topic John! Appreciate the info and details!

Thank you John, its nice to get a pro's view on what tools to by first. And no I'm not being a smart aleck, i do consider you a professional wood worker.

7:45 Great shoutout to @3x3Custom - Tamar you're both 2 of my fav follows on the youtubes

Nobody: Absolutely nobody at all: John: VERSATILE 😂 Keep up the quality content!!

Thanks for this, it's a pipe dream but good to know what to target down the road!

Hello sir, thank you so much for such an interesting video. I can add the following information based on my personal experience. I still don't have most of the tools that you have shown, but I have a great desire to make, restore and create. I believe that the main thing that a beginner needs is a desire, the rest is all a technical process. And if you want to, you can improvise, it is very important, even if it is a primitive method. Good luck, success and health to all. Best regards.

I think this is actually the first "tools for beginners" video I've actually agreed with! thanks for another great video!

I would actually recommend getting a Jig Saw before a Skil Saw

Always impressed with your shop. Lots of space and Badass toys to build the world with! 💪

I do finish cuts with my miter saw, I use a 100 tooth blade, and I've also taken sand paper and put it on either side of the blade so it sands the cut smooth. Works amazing. Doesn't make the kerf any wider either.

me: can't even afford a router John: we have routers designated to different bits for convenience so we don't have to change them

Hey im building a desk and im struggling a little on the design is there any way I could contact you?

Excellent tips of Great tools with Fantastic Design. Tips that will no doubt be useful for the years to come. Thank you for sharing!

Fantastic and very informative video. Loved hearing your opinion on each of the tools. Greetings from Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦

You and quarantine are the reason I'm considering a career change mid pandemic. I hate you and love you at the same time. My bank account despises you LOL

Take a shot every time he says “the most versatile tool”

Thanks John. As someone who has been woodworking about 10 years, I completely agree with most everything you said, and really agree with your thoughts on wanting to know you can work with a dangerous tool before upgrading to it (i.e. the router in your case). I have never had a circular saw, track saw, miter saw or pocket hole jig, but outside of the latter one, I have definitely found situations where they would have come in handy. Thanks again for this content. It's really great!

I agree with John's view on pocket hole joinery 👍👍👍

Ron Swanson in the background made this video for me... lol

We don't talk about trim carpenters on this channel....

Can’t wait to get a jointer. Thank you for the tips

John, I found your channel only a few days ago and have binged everything. Love your projects. Great video as always. I liked the concept for tools. Maybe one could be done for finishes, woodworking techniques, etc. Great information as always.

When you realise you have more of the second part of the list before you have more of the first ... 😂

I'm a little confused on why a good sander isn't on here

Hey..... Thanks for the info, it was very useful to me. Iam begining with this amazing art and way of life.

In my experience I use a plunge saw or a track saw way more then I would ever use a table saw I absolutely love the Festtool TS 75 track saw it is perfect for me since I do large slab tables mostly.

11:18 I was so ready for your sponsor to be....TREES! thank you nature for giving us trees to cut down and make really cool shit out of...TREE! (you can use that if you want, no charge ;)

Routers are scary, I think I still have one circling the earth in a low orbit.

Love your vids bro very informative, super helpful for us beginners and those just having some fun with wood. Cheers

This is exactly what I wanted to see. Thank you.

You should add a shirt, “let us spray!” With a spray gun below the saying. Just sayin!

Omg I just found ten different definitions of the word 'versatile' in the dictionary

Fantastic tips, John! Thanks a lot! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

This video was really useful I can finally start woodworking

Still shouldn't have covered up those hardwood floors though.

The most important tools you'll ever have, are your noodle and your grabbers.

I have a pretty basic Craftsman table saw. I have a 10" Makita mitre saw. The table saw will do what I need for now (will need to build a pullout table) but when the garage gets built this month, I have my heart set on a Makita compound mitre almost exactly like yours. I like the way they made it more compact that way without compromising performance. I think the one I'm looking at has a 15" cut length..

Great vid and right on point wrt where I am in my tool inventory. Have the first 5 already - though I need to get some of those killer clamps. Thanks for putting this together, it answered a lot of questions for me.

And, the 11th tool for any good woodworker: a cast iron-grated grill for the purpose of proper meat-sweats! Amirite?!

Incredible. Thank you.

Sir, thank you! Love from the Philippines

awesome video very helpful like most things as a home owner/hobiest i have some tools from both groups but this helped with the bigger stuff. would love to see a video on the smaller hand tools .......like chisels, palm planers, what brands, edge setup and how to sharpen etc

Was setting up sheet metal shelters for animals. My friend's dad and I had to share an impact driver between us while his son had the regular drill. We were both done with our areas before he was even close to being finished. Was our first job using impacts and it won us over

Grrrrrreat consultation! Thank you good Sir!!!

I like the way he goes through the presentation.

I build fish tank stands mainly with 2x4's and 2x6's and i was so happy to finally justify getting a 12" Mitar saw. Cutting dozens of boards with circular saw and jigsaw gets really old really fast and the cuts werent always straight. Now i can cut boards quickly and they are more precise and the cut is always straight! Table saw is my next purchase, cutting large pieces of plywood for doors and stand skins is a PITA with my jigsaw

I love your channel and I learn a lot! thanks for that buddy! It would be great if you can explain when to use the pocker holes and compared with other joins to have a clear idea when to use it.

Hi John, I am a big fan of your work and your youtube channel. I would really like if you can make a video on using pallets (or how to make them usable for projects) and how to get lumber from small logs/firewood without using big machines? (for hobbyists / weekend woodworkers) . Thanks.

Absolutely love your videos bud! Much love from Texas!

I really enjoy your videos!! I just started watching you and you make watching very enjoyable!! Thank you!

Thank you for your videos 👍

Awesome video, thanks for the advice!!

Useful video John, thanks for sharing

really helpful! our factory makes big woodworking tools and now we plan to buy some small ones, your video gives us great ideas !

Great video, will be helpful with setting up my workshop.

Great information on the basic tools to get you started

I just got into wood work. I love it.

thanks!! very helpful!

My 12” WEN planer was nearly half the price of the 12” DEWALT planer when I purchased it on Amazon, and I absolutely love it. I never knew how much I would use it and half to say it really is a good investment for even just a weekend diy’er.

Great video for the newb. Ibeam clamps have been around for a long time tho. I have a couple that are over 100 years old and love it. 👍

Just subscribed because of the picture of Nick Offerman in the background. Nothing better than a woodworker showing respect for another woodworker..... :)

I think its awesome that you mention that brand doesn't matter. So many people feel like you have to have the most expensive and pretty tools to make stuff, but really you can use any brand!