Notice that this article is not about the top 10 tools that a woodworker needs, it’s about the top 10 tools that I need and use when I’m working with juniper wood.
So, they may be different than what you consider to be the most important.
All of the information in this article is for you to read and hopefully enjoy. Whether you actually heed any of it is up to you and solely your decision. Just remember, when you’re operating any kind of woodworking tool try to be as careful as you possibly can, don’t daydream while you’re cutting a piece of wood and don’t blame me if you get hurt, step up and take resposibility for your own actions.
As I talk about the power tools I use, I’m not going to list them in order of importance because a bandsaw doesn’t do me much good if I don’t have other power tools to help with the project. The power tools that I use the most in my shop are as follows:
- bandsaw
- cross-cut saw
- chainsaw
- jointer/planer
- sawmill
- a drill
- hand planer
- impact wrench
- random orbital sander
- sanding grinder
I have quite a few other power tools too, but I don’t use them as often. One of the nice things about working with Western Juniper is that it is similar to Western Red Cedar, they are both softwoods, easy to sand, and they take a finish well. Both kinds of trees are in the Cypress Family and they look pretty much the same if you saw them growing side by side.
One question I get a lot is, do you like woodworking tools made in China? If I’m just considering or taking quality into account I would say absolutely not. But there are other considerations or things to think about when making your tool selections. For example, I would not recommend a beginning woodworker to buy the best tools that money can buy. I would recommend the least expensive when first starting out. If you find out that you really like woodworking then you can replace your tools with higher quality ones as time progresses.