If you need to start with woodworking, or if you are planning to get into the field of carpentry, you should certainly have a good idea about the budget carpentry tools. Accordingly, if you are wondering about what the budget carpentry tools are, and if you are in confusion about what tools you absolutely need, this is the best place for you to fulfill your needs. Also, it is through the first-hand experience that we bring you about these budget carpentry tools. In brief, either I own most of the tools in this list, or I have owned them in the past, or else I have worked with them at least once. Going beyond, we have also considered the tools which are easy to carry and occupy less space. However, what suits you the best depends on your budget and how much money you are able to invest in this.
The goal of preparing this kind of a list is to gather you the best budget carpentry tools so that you can build any kind of creation easily and anywhere in your work environment, which might be your home or even your garage. When discussing carpentry tools that suit your budget, it is also important for you to consider the top brands and tools as well. Further, you must get to know the best brands related to your budget, and also the places where you can buy them easily. So, excited to know all about these budget carpentry tools? Just be with us. We are ready to share with you everything that you need to know!
Frequently Used Low-Cost Tools
First, let’s have a little discussion about what you should search for. Above all, you should consider what basic things you are planning to do. As you might already know, by using these tools you will have to fulfill three basic tasks. The first task is shaping your material. The second task is joining those shaped materials together and the final task is finishing the work. In order to fulfill the above three tasks, you will need to buy only a few different kinds of low-cost tools. Some of them are as follows.
- Saw
- Power Drill
- Screw Driver Set
- Sanding Block
- Chisel Set
- Drill Bits
- Clamp Set
- Hammer
- Squaring Tool
- Tape
- Combo Square
- Speed Square
Frequently Used Budget Tools in Detail
In order to complete the three tasks of shaping, joining, and finishing, there are several budget carpentry tools that you can frequently use. Out of them, we have lined up the most popular in detail.
1. Saw
We mostly use hand saws to cut wood parts into different kinds of shapes in carpentry. “Panel saws” is another common name for this. The purpose of cutting into different shapes is to join the pieces together and carve a wooden object. You can do this operation by a series of sharp pointed substances that is harder than the wood which takes to the cutting process. The hand saw and tenon saw look the same, but the only difference is having one flat, sharp edge.
However, you cannot use a single type of saw to cut everything in carpentry. An electric miter saw is more comfortable to use, yet, it is not necessary equipment. Normally an electric miter saw will cost about $150-$200, and definitely, it will not suit the low-cost budget. In order to do the job just as well when considering the price, a hand saw with a miter box will best match.
2. Power Drill
A power drill is an electrical motor where a replaceable drill is rotating to make holes. You can make these holes in wood, plastic, or metal. Alternately, in order to turn screws, a screwdriver tip can be installed. A power drill includes basic parts like a handle, a torque adjustment, an on/off trigger, a reversing switch, and the chuck. A battery is used to power the cordless drills which are placed in the drill’s handle while a 110-volt electrical cord inserted into an electrical receptacle is used to power corded drills. At present power drills with battery packs are most popular as it is free to use almost everywhere. When considering the budget, the Black and Decker variable speed model seems to be just fine for about $40.
3. Screw Driver Set
A screwdriver is a tool that handles manually or with power for screwing (installing) and unscrewing (removing) screws. There is a handle and a shaft in a typical simple screwdriver that ends in a tip and the user puts into the screw head before he turns the handle. As the power drills are quicker, easier and the ability of drilling holes, at present screwdriver has been replaced by it in many workplaces and homes. Inserting screws and removing them are the only purposes of screwdrivers. At present screwdrivers come with many kinds of modifications and differences while these design differences will allow you to choose the best method that suits your project.
Manual screwdrivers
This is the most recognizable variation of hand tools. This comes with a thick handle and a cylindrical steel shank and it ends in the working tip of the screwdriver. The reason is the tip is smaller than the handle and to turn a screw it takes only moderate twisting force. Another thing is you’ll have to lift the screwdriver from the screw head after each and every turn of the screw and make it back to the starting position before the next turn, when you use a manual screwdriver.
Ratcheting screwdrivers
The main benefit of using a ratcheting screwdriver is that it reduces the need to lift and reposition the screwdriver tip after every turn and this leads to saving time. Through an easy back-and-forth wrist action the user is able to make multiple turns of the screw by a mechanism called “Internal ball-bearing mechanism”. By switching a button on the screwdriver we can change the direction of the ratcheting action, and can both insert and remove screws easily.
Yankee screwdrivers
This is one of the specified ratcheting screwdrivers. Yankee screwdrivers use spring-loaded ratcheting principles to operate. Wrist action is not essential to turn the screwdriver in this. Instead of it keep the tip of a Yankee screwdriver in the screw head and then push towards the screw little by little. The pressure arising through this makes the screwdriver shank to turn. Then at the moment, you release the tension spring inside reposition the handle.
Screwdriver Types
There are several screwdriver types available in the carpentry market in the present. Some of them are as below.
Flat/Slotted Screws
Normally flat head screws aren’t popular for use at homes, but you can still see them used in furniture construction and electrical applications. You can use them to install plate covers on outlets and switches. Also, you can use them in places where you should not over-tighten a screw. However, it is a wise thing to keep a handful of flat manual screwdrivers within your toolbox.
Phillips Screws
Phillips screws are famous for construction and woodworking purposes. Philip screws can be identified by a flared “+” on their heads. Normally screwdrivers and bits that fit Phillips screws are labeled “Ph”. They come by a number which ranges from 0000 up to the number 4. But sometimes the driver sizes do not go with Phillips screw sizes and you have to match the specific screw physically at these times.
Hex Key Screws
Screws with Hex-heads are small when compared with other screws. You can commonly find them in faucet handles, towel bars and doorknobs. In order to fit hex-head screw recesses, screwdrivers and bits which ranging from 0.03” to 3/8” are needed. Although there are Allen bits for drills and screwdrivers, Allen-type screwdrivers are often L- or T- manual screwdrivers in their shape.
Robertson Screws
The most specific advantage of Robertson screw is reduced screwdriver slippage of it. This is also known as the “square recess screw”. Robertson screw head was invented in the early 1900s by a Canadian inventor. He damaged the slotted screws every time when the tip of the screwdriver slipped out of the slot. Although the invention was great it was not popular in the US and Europe until power drills were used as screwdrivers.
4. Sanding Block
A sanding block is made up of wood or cork with one smooth flat side. This is used to hold sandpaper. When using the sandpaper you need to wrap it around the block and hold it in any place. Using a sanding block helps with this and it can also prevent the “waves” created by plain sandpaper. Also, sanding blocks are ideal for comfort and control. Further, it is easy to do hand sanding on flat and curved surfaces.
5. Chisel Set
In a chisel, there is a shaped blade on its end. This is for the purpose of carving and cutting hard materials like wood. The handle of the chisel is finished using wood or polypropylene. Chisel forces the blade into some material to cut it. The force is given to the chisel by hand, mallet, or sometimes by a hammer. There is a huge range in the sizes of chisels. The small hand tools are for tiny details and large range of chisels are to take out big parts of wood. Special thing is that the standard wood chisel (which is also known as “Bench chisel”) is not the same as the turning tool that is normally used for a wood lathe. For the purpose of strength and turning wood at a higher speed, the lathe chisel contains a longer tang length.
6. Drill Bits
Drill bits are cutting equipment mostly used to create holes that have a circular cross-section. They are made in various shapes and sizes and using them helps to create various kinds of holes in many different materials.
Types of Drill Bits
Drill bits can be compared through materials and finishes which they are made up of. It plays an important role when considering the life and performance of the bit. Below you can see a few common materials and finishes of drill bits.
High-speed steel (HSS)
Using these drill bits you can drill materials like fiberglass, wood and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Also you can drill aluminum which is a soft metal.
Cobalt drill bits
Cobalt drill bits are very hard. The most important thing is that they dissipate the rising heat quickly. Cobalt drill bits are commonly used for boring stainless steel and aluminum.
Titanium-coated HSS
Titanium-coated HSS are tougher than basic HSS bits. They stay sharp for a longer period. As Titanium-coated HSS produce less friction they are good for drilling metal, wood, PVC and fiberglass.
Carbide-tipped drill
These are mostly used in masonry for drilling tiles. Carbide-tipped drills are longer lasting than steel, HSS or titanium bits.
7. Clamp Set
This is a device made to bind or to press two or more parts together. The purpose is to hold them firmly. Many types of clamp sets can be seen and you can choose the best one for your toolset out of them.
BESSEY 36 in. Clutch-Style Bar Clamp at Amazon
This is strong and versatile. In order to keep your project in place securely this can exert up to 1,100 pounds of force.
IRWIN Clamps Set, 6-Pack at Amazon
These are good for lighter duty jobs.
BESSEY H-Style Pipe Clamp Fixture Set at Home Depot
In order to have an extended customizable approach, these clamps are better to be considered.
DEWALT 6-inch Trigger Clamp at Amazon
This is easy to handle as this can be operated with a single hand. Through this you can add or release pressure easily and quickly.
Wilton 22008 540A-12, 540A Series C-Clamp
This a basic and traditional C-clamp. No special features in this. Helps to hold projects together securely.
8. Hammer
Hammer is a common tool which consists of a weighted head and a handle fixed together. Head of the modern hammers are typically made up of steel, while the handle is made up of wood or plastic. There are three main parts in a hammer. They are the head, handle and claw.
Common Hammers
You may have heard and sometimes may own different types of hammers. Having a full set of different hammers certainly allows you to accomplish any task. Below you can go through a few different types of hammers.
Ball Peen Hammer
Ball Penn Hammer comes with a round peen. Basically, it is famous among engineers. Common purpose is rounding the edges of closing rivets, fasteners, and metal pins.
Claw Hammer
This is the most recognizable out of all kinds of hammers. The back part of a claw hammer consists of a curved, forked claw which helps to grip nails. The user can easily lever out nails through this. This hammer is very common and you can easily find them in any home or workshop.
Club Hammer
Another name for this is drilling hammer or lump hammer. Club hammer consists of a short, double-faced head which is similar to a sledge hammer. Actually we do not use this commonly for commercial works, but suits well for light demolition work and driving steel chisels and masonry heads.
9. Squaring Tool
The squaring tool is made of two straightedges that set right angles to each other. It is famous among machinists and carpenters. The main purposes of using square tools are checking the right angles correctly, locating holes, and to use as a guide when drawing lines on different materials before they are cut.
10. Tape
You can see two main types of tape measures. They are carpenters’ tapes and woodworkers’ tapes. Carpenters’ tape is normally 25 foot long and consists of a 1 inch blade and a belt clip which is durable. In order to withstand the hard environment in construction sites, these tapes must have stiff blades and super sturdy cases. The scales are laid out clearly so that it is easy to identify and read.
11. Combo Square
This is a multi-use measuring instrument. Basically, you can use a combo square for measuring a 45° angle and ensuring the integrity of a 90° angle. Also, you can use it to measure the center of a circular object. Additional benefits of combo square are determining the level and plumbers use its spirit level vial.
How to use a combo square
First you should identify the working surface you wish to cut and then place the anvil of the square against the edge of it. Next draw a line along the edge of the blade and stop drawing it when you reach the anvil. Finally, after you complete it, you will have a line with a perfect 90° angle with the edge of the working surface.
12. Speed Square
Speed square is a handy little tool. This is also called “rafter square”. You can use the speed square in the following instances.
Saw guide
When you cross cut lumber, the speed square is very much useful as a fence for keeping your circular saw correct. You should note that this method is better and safer when the user is a right-handed person and he uses the circular saw to the right of the blade.
Line scriber
When you need to draw a guideline on your lumber in order to make a rip cut, you can use the speed square.
Roof pitch tool
Sometimes you will need to determine the pitch of your roof in some instances like when installing skylights or getting a certain estimate for a replacement. A speed square with a level helps you to get a ballpark idea of your pitch angle quickly and easily. You should note that pitch gives you the vertical rise in the scale of inches for every 12 inches of run.
Now having an idea about what the budget carpentry tools are you might be wondering what their advantages and disadvantages are. Willing to know about them? We are sure you are! Just check the section below to get to know the key pros and cons of the budget carpentry tools.
Advantages of Budget Tools
- The most significant advantage is the peace and quietness these tools bring to you. When you are focusing on your work it is very uncomfortable if the tools are producing buzzing sounds. Working with these tools relaxes your mind and you can achieve a meditation feeling.
- Motorized tools bring a loud noise which is dangerous for your hearing. Hearing loss is a common disorder which you can see within carpenters who use power tools regularly. But quiet tools and equipment do not disturb anyone and it protects the peace in your building and environment.
- When you are cutting or shaping a piece of wood using budget hand tools, you can control the pressure you apply on the wood. It minimizes potential mistakes. But when you use power tools, you can’t control it like hand tools.
- When you use power tools, they demand a whole room or a huge space for the storage. But when you use hand tools, or rather the budget carpentry tools, they will occupy very little space in your working room. Normally one small cabinet with drawers is enough.
- Another advantage of budget carpentry tools is it helps you to preserve your health. Some recent medical researchers reveal that wood dust that produced in the carpentry industry causes many health issues like eye infections, dermatitis, asthma, and sometimes cancer too. Hand tools normally produce very less sawdust while power tools produce sawdust each and everywhere around the working place. So when considering this case, using hand tools will be more beneficial to you.
Disadvantages of Budget Tools
- One of the most highlighted disadvantages of budget carpentry tools is they are not efficient or powerful like power tools. It takes longer to complete a job. For example, if you need to drive a nail into a piece of wood, you have to hit it several times. But it needs just one squeeze of the trigger to do the same task using a nail gun.
- When comparing the accuracy, hand tools bring you less accuracy than power tools due to human effect.
- In order to use hand tools, users require more specific skills. Not everybody can work with hand tools as soon as they come to the field. It takes longer to get familiar with them.
Craftsmanship Vs Budget Tools
Indeed, the tools used surely have a strong impact on the craftsmanship. Thus, it is essential to consider how budget carpentry tools impact craftsmanship as well.
As you might already know, budget carpentry tools are a collection of basic tools. Therefore, there may be certain instances where these tools do not perfectly fit the job that a carpenter needs to perform. Hence, these budget tools certainly have a considerable impact on the quality of the woodwork, which directly impacts the craftsmanship.
Moreover, in order to excel in the field of carpentry, having a good idea and a practice with more complex tools, especially power tools, tends to be an important factor. Still, working with budget tools might prevent the carpenters from getting that exposure. Obviously, this has a strong association with regard to craftsmanship. Hence, this is also a notable instance where budget tools impact the craftsmanship.
Likewise, there are a series of advantages and disadvantages, as well as direct impacts to craftsmanship that these budget carpentry tools. Thus, what budget tools you choose, and how long you use them is up to you to decide!
Are Budget Tools Really Worth the Money You Spend?
Yes of course. When someone looks from outside, they identify carpenters as magicians because of their wonderful and fine creations. But when you look closely, they repeat only four steps, namely design, measure, cut, and attach.
In the beginning, when you are ready to buy the tools for carpentry, you have to spend too much capital to buy power tools. But you will need only very less capital to buy hand tools. It saves your capital at the very beginning and you can invest that money on other useful work. Hand tools do not require any kind of mechanical parts and they have less moving parts. So they rarely cause damages and carpentry hazards. So they last longer than power tools and it saves money greatly. Also, we have to do frequent repairs in power tools while we face rare repairs in hand tools. It also saves you money.
Considering all these facts, we can conclude that Budget Carpentry Tools are really worth the money you spend on it.
The Bottom Line
Hope this article provided you a good overview of the budget carpentry tools. And why not? Comprehensive discussions about budget carpentry tools also happen at the world carpentry events. By chance, if you get an opportunity to join any of them, do not miss it out. You can get to know further details about carpentry tools, top brands, essential home tools, carpentry job market, and many other essentials related to woodworks at those events. And besides, even the U.S Bureau of Labor statistics prove that carpentry hazards are common in the modern world. So, remember, whether you use budget tools or not, your safety should be your first priority. Keep that it is mind and enjoy your craft. Happy Woodworking!
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