You are on this page because you decided to getting started with woodworking. You have made an amazing decision, congratulations! Great things will come to you now. But, you still need to follow some of the basic principles. All beginners can find very helpful tips and tricks.

Taking up woodworking can be one of the most-rewarding experiences in your life. Whether you’re looking to start woodworking as a hobby or as a way to break into a lucrative industry, there are several considerations you should make prior to getting started.

Chances are that you’ve already done a bit of research into woodworking. That’s great.

Be careful, however, not to get overwhelmed. Starting something new is daunting, so don’t let new information put you off from taking your first steps to becoming a master woodworker.

There are several wonderful resources for woodworkers online, but reading these as a beginner may have little use.

As a fellow woodworker, I want to help you.

I’ve put together all the information you need to know to get started today. No matter your experience level—or if you’ve just got an interest in it —the following six considerations are designed to address all your beginning woodworking needs.

1) Finding the Right Amount and Type of Space

Making sure that you have got enough space to work with is very important, but the truth is that there’s no set answer as to how much you’ll need. The amount of space required to woodwork is dependent on several factors–the type of projects you plan on doing, the number of tools you have, etc. If you’re just starting out, chances are that you don’t have any large projects in the works yet, so you may be able to use a smaller space. Some beginning-level projects require minimal space.

There are some particulars you should consider when choosing a space for woodworking. Some of the things I look for are storage space, proper ventilation and lighting, and a productive environment.

Distraction free

It’s really important to be sure that the space you’re working in is free of distractions. For beginners, paying careful attention is especially crucial to both one’s personal safety and to the outcome of the project. Trust me—you don’t want to be interrupted or surprised when using a tool you’re still unfamiliar with.

As you progress to more-involved projects, it’s still important to make sure you’re in a space that allows you to be productive. This means keeping unnecessary distractions at bay.

For many this means setting up a woodworking shop. A good shop is a place where one can work without distractions and have room for the proper storage of tools and old projects.

That still leaves the question:

How much space is actually appropriate?

If you’re just starting out, a garage-sized space may be just what you need. Usually about 20x20ft, this sized space offers just enough room for a workbench and a place to store tools.

The downsides to having a small space are obvious: you’re limited in undertaking larger projects, and if you need assistance, it can be difficult for two or more people to maneuver.

That’s why some woodworkers believe in a “bigger is better” notion that means having more space is always desirable. 30×30 and bigger-sized spaces allow for more storage, more projects, and more people.

What if you don’t have a space that large?

Don’t worry! You may not have an extra room or a garage to convert into a woodworking area. That’s okay. You just need to get a little creative.

If you have a yard, you can convert a section of it into a perfect woodworking area. All you need are extension cords for your tools and an awning of some sort to protect you from the sun and the weather. Though you may not be working in a well-air-conditioned environment, you do get the added perks of additional space and great ventilation.

consider getting a storage shed

For anybody who doesnt want to work in the open. Like all your other spaces, make sure there is a window for proper ventilation and enough lighting to do your work safely. If your building meets those requirements, go ahead and use it.

A buddy of mine uses a shed for his woodworking projects. He makes headboards, and his standard-size storage unit gives him enough space to store his old and in-progress projects and tools and to work all while providing a distraction-free environment.

So how much space should you have? As you can see, there’s no right answer to that question. Just be sure to find a space that’s safe and works for you with the projects and tools that you have.

2) What Tools Do I Need to Start Woodworking?

A proper set of tools is a woodworker’s best friend. But while there are several tools on the market, you don’t have to worry about high-end power tools when you’re just starting out.

Your tools will fall into one of several basic categories.

Safety first

I can tell you from experience, no matter what other tools you decide to buy, you should first make sure you have the proper safety equipment. Sawing and working with wood requires a well-ventilated space, and it’s in your best interest to also have a protective mask and goggles to keep unwanted particles out of your nose, mouth, and eyes.

Importance of measuring tools

No project can be done if you don’t have correct measurements. Compasses, levels, bevels, marking gauges, and steel tape are essential to every woodworker. A combination square is also an important tool for woodworkers, as it allows one to pencil lines at 45 and 90-degree angles.

Tools for cutting

Different saws have different functions, but the most basic saw you should have is a common handsaw. Many woodworkers prefer to use a power circular saw. A pair of needle-nose pliers and a basic utility knife are also necessities.

Once you’ve cut the wood, you’ll need something to carve and possibly sand it before putting it all together.

This includes a hammer and nail set, a power drill, screws, screw drivers, a mallet, and a clamping system.

Smoothing and block planes go a long way in putting the finishing touches on just about any project and can turn rough, uneven lumber into a smooth masterpiece.

You can find many of these in a basic woodworking tool kit. These kits can contain up to 100 small hand tools to help you get started.

If you’re interested in investing in more-advanced power tools, that’s okay too. However, if you’re unfamiliar with woodworking or with the tools you are using, you should take extra precaution when using power tools. It’s best to take it one step at a time and master hand tools before moving to more-advanced options.

3) How Much Does It cost for getting started with Woodworking?

Is it Affordable?

No one likes spending money.

The good news is, getting started in woodworking doesn’t have to be expensive, and you may have many of the tools you need already.

While it certainly can be an expensive hobby down the road, beginnings shouldn’t be afraid of high upfront costs when getting started with woodworking.

The bulk of your woodworking expenses will probably come as you buy more expensive power tools. While these are a great asset to any woodworker, remember they are not necessary—at least not at first. Woodworking has been around for centuries; power tools have not.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying they’re useless. But if you’re just starting out and are worried about expenses, it’s important to prioritize your costs.

So, what are some essential upfront costs?

Workbench

You’ll need a good woodworking bench. The cost of a bench varies, with cheaper benches being priced around $150 and more expensive ones reaching into the thousands. You can also try your hand at making your own bench, but for beginners who are saving costs, it’s probably best to find a cheaper one at your local Home Depot.

Storage

You should also take into consideration the cost of setting up your woodworking space. If you’re converting an outside or garage space into your woodworking area, the setup costs are minimal. Wherever you set up shop, you’ll need a storage closet for tools. A cheap tool-storage closet runs about $145, but you can choose more expensive options if you would like. Unless you have a lot of tools, you probably don’t need to invest in an expensive closet just yet.

Power Drill

Many of the tools you need starting out are hand tools, but a power drill is also a necessity. Most of you probably already own a power drill, but if you don’t, a complete set can run you anywhere from $45 to $150 depending on what’s included.

You can also buy woodworking tool kits that include many or all the basic hand tools you’ll need to get started. These kits start around $15, but more complete and useful sets can hit just over $100.

In total, to get started in woodworking, you’re looking at anywhere from $400-$450 for the basics.

If you’re interested in doing anything extra (such as woodworking classes, how-to DVDs, etc.), you’re looking at an extra $10 – $1,000 depending on how you choose to learn. But remember: while this will certainly be a good investment if you’re looking to learn more about woodworking, it’s not something you’re required to do at first.

4) Choosing Good Lumber

Once you’ve set up your woodworking shop and have your tools, it’s time to start looking at types of lumber. There are several characteristics you should look for when choosing your lumber to ensure the quality of your finished product.

Having good lumber can improve the aesthetic and physical quality of your work, as well as make your job easier.

So, what are some things you should be looking for?

Species matters

In the time-honored woodworking tradition, certain species are expected to be used for certain projects. Sound daunting? Don’t worry. We’ll go over that in more detail later.

For now, let’s look at some of the other characteristics of lumber that have great impact on your final product.

Keep in mind that wood is always affected by the environment around it. Even after a project is finished, your wood will react to varying levels of moisture in the air, causing certain characteristics to change.

Because of this, it’s always a good idea to buy all the lumber you will use for one project at once. You don’t want to buy wood later, as it may not have undergone the same conditions as the other wood in your project—which will probably alter its appearance and affect the aesthetic quality of your final project.

Make clear designs

To combat this, it’s good practice to make a design of what you intend to make before you begin simply experimenting. Take stock of just how much wood you’ll need so that you can avoid unnecessary problems as you continue to work.

If you’re serious about keeping an even look throughout your piece, you can purchase a moisture meter that will analyze the moisture in the wood. Ideally, it should be between seven and eight percent, but this may take a while depending on the conditions of your shop. Because of this, plan ahead to make sure you give the wood enough time to reach desired moisture levels.

There are several other important aspects to consider when purchasing lumber.

For example, the grain of the wood influences your product. Some species of lumber have greater variations in the characteristics of the grain, and others can be considered more-or-less uniform. While great for building, these straight-grain boards might seem dull or even boring in a decorative piece. Keep this in mind when selecting lumber for your project.

You should also be aware of the lumber’s density. If you’re making furniture, for instance, selecting denser wood is imperative because it’s stronger and provides more stability in the final project.

Wood Thickness and Measurement Fractions

You’ve probably heard wood measurements in your life. You might even be familiar with common sizes, such as a 2×4. But when you go to select wood for your project, you’ll find that there are several different size measurements and fractions that tell you the size and thickness of lumber. It’s so important to know, in fact, that I’ve decided to dedicate a whole section just to this topic.

Again, you’ll find that species of wood matters. Softwoods and hardwoods are measured differently, with the former being measured in standard widths and the latter being measured by approximate thickness.

The thickness of a piece of hardwood is measured in fractions of a quarter of an inch. 4/4 is approximately equal to a one-inch-thick piece of wood. You can also find 8/4 (two inches) and 12/4 (three inches) as well as different variations in between.

Rough and surfaced woods

But that’s not all. In order to best approximate the thickness of a piece of hardwood, you also need to understand the concept of “rough” and “surfaced” woods. Rough wood, identified by RGH, is wood that has yet to be planed smooth and is still rough from where it was cut from a log. Smooth wood, S2S, has been planed, but it loses some thickness in the process. This means that a 4/4 piece of S2S wood is actually a little less than an inch.

If you buy wood rough, you should expect to have to smooth it for use. For store-bought S2S lumber, the standard thickness of surfaced 4/4 is 13/16”.

While you can save some money in purchasing rough lumber, inspecting some other characteristics—such as the grain—can be more difficult, making it a riskier purchase than surfaced lumber.

Unlike hardwood, softwood is sold in standard sizes, making it easier to conceptualize just how much you’ll need—assuming your project calls for softwood.

Because the measurements for softwood are uniform, you don’t need to worry about rough or surfaced lumber.

But which woods are soft? Which are hard? Understanding this difference is crucial to the success of your woodworking projects, and the answer is directly related to the species of lumber.

Understanding Species of Lumber

The differences between hard and softwood are quite clear and affect nearly every characteristic of the lumber.

Hardwood lumber has a darker color to it. Because hardwood trees generally grow much slower than those that produce softwood, the lumber itself is denser—and stronger.

The rich colors of hardwood and the lumber’s resistance to wear and tear make it a traditional choice for many types of furniture.

Common types of hardwood include: walnut, oak, maple, birch, poplar, and cherry. Though all types of hardwood, they each have their own unique characteristics.

Walnut

Walnut is an expensive type of wood that comes in varying shades from light to dark. It is common in many types of woodworking projects and has a unique variety of grain patterns, making it great for decorative projects. The wood is also shock resistant. This, coupled with the richness of color it can produce, makes it popular for furniture-making and for carving.

Oak

Oak is an extremely strong and durable type of wood that is commonly used for furniture and flooring. With a prominent grain and characteristic light color, Oak is a popular choice because of its long-living nature.

Birch

Birch is less durable than either walnut or oak. Generally considered perishable, birch is often used in building and commonly makes up certain types of plywood and other woods for making doors and boxes. Wall paneling, a once-common building design, also frequently uses birch. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative than most kinds of wood, even though it’s less durable, birch might be your go-to type. Birch can also be very interesting to those who are planning on making cabinets, benches and tables. 

Poplar

Poplar falls in between oak and birch and has a medium-density and a color that darkens with light exposure. It is less durable than oak and features a uniform grain.

Cherry

Cherry is a popular type of hardwood because it’s relatively easy to work with—even with hand tools. It’s a durable type of wood with a smooth texture and light weight. Straight-grained, cherry wood ranges in color from a richer shade of red to reddish brown.

Softwood is also a common choice for furniture making and building, and it’s relatively cheaper than hardwood. Because it is less durable than hardwood, it’s generally not found in high-quality furniture and is not recommended for construction projects intended to last a long time.

Common types of softwood include Douglas Fir, pine, and redwood.

Douglas Fir

Douglas Fir is one of the more common types of softwood and has a pronounced grain. Usually, fir is used for construction, but it can be used for functional furniture.

Pine

Pine is another very common type of wood, and because it is so easy to use, it’s an excellent choice for carving. Furniture makers frequently use pine because it takes stain well, and its relative softness makes it easy to shape.

Redwood

Redwood is popular because of both its softness and resistance to moisture. This makes it great for using in outdoor projects.

As you can see, for many projects, you can have your choice of either hard or softwood. Because of its price, hardwood may not be the best choice for beginning woodworkers. However, for those interested and skilled in using it, it can provide a wonderful variety of textures and colors that make it the first-choice for decorative furniture projects.

5) Conclusion

There are many things to consider when getting started with woodworking. You would already be a long way in when getting a good graps on all the things listed above.

Do you have anything you would like me to add to this article? Feel free to comment below! If your questions about getting started with woodworking wen’t unanswered please let me know as well in the comment section. Or send me and email by going to my contact form.

Furthermore I wish you all tons of fun with woodworking. After all this is a great hobby/work which I can’t get enough of!

Greetings,

Vince