Building a Woodshop on a Budget Top 16 Must Follow Rules

Last Updated on 2022-03-16 by Harry Masterton

When you're building a woodshop on a budget these are the top 16 must follow rules to save yourself $1000's when first setting up a home woodworking shop

Building a Woodshop on a Budget

As someone with limited funds, your home woodworking shop needs to:

1. Provide a space to work;
2. Offer storage and organization.

Several storage ideas are available that keep things organized when building a shop on a budget. Also, planning your layout when building a woodshop on a budget allows you to use limited floor space effectively.

The biggest challenge when woodworking on a budget is building your tool collection. Your home woodworking shop will be of little use if you do not have the hand and power tools needed to finish a project. Some things can help start and grow a toolset, including:

• Being realistic about your needs;
• Finding bargains where you can;
• Learning patience.

Building a Woodshop on a Budget: Keeping It Real

Woodworkers like to show off their newest drill or complete set of chisels. Unless you have lots of money to spare, you will need to be more realistic about buying tools for your shop.

Hand and power tools will be one of the two top expenditures (the other will be project materials), so most beginners learning woodworking on a budget tend to buy tools as they go.

Woodworking on a Budget: Bargain Shopping

I can not tell you how much money I have saved over time with bargain shopping. Building a shop on a budget practically demands it. There are two sources I continue to use today when I am looking for a new type of tool, an upgrade, or a replacement.

Avoid specialty stores when possible. Research big box stores first, and you will be surprised by the savings. I would also suggest looking for used tools at garage sales, antique/pawn shops, and online at eBay/Facebook Marketplace.

Building a Shop on a Budget: Patience

When you see a tool sale or a project's tool list, wait. Building a woodshop on a budget is difficult with the constant barrage of merchant discounts and suggestions from others. Try to find a workaround with your current tools first.

Tools to Get Started in Woodworking

Building a budget woodshop means that you need affordable woodworking tools. So, where do you start? I recommend these tools to get started in woodworking:

• Saws;
• Drills;
• Shaping-tools;
• Sanders.

Building A Woodshop On a Budget: Cutting

Crosscuts and rip cuts are probably the most common shop procedures, so you will need to find affordable woodworking tools that can do both.

Modern hand saws are usually hybrids with a tooth profile for cross and rip cuts. The specialty hand saws and antiques are where the prices climb.

Two cutting power tools will get you well on your way. One is the circular saw, and the other is the jigsaw. Here you can go with cheaper saw blades on your beginner projects.

Building A Woodshop On a Budget: Drilling

I think drills are required tools to get started in woodworking, but you might not need one on every project. There is no other tool that can do its job, however.

Most beginner and intermediate projects use drills for making pilot holes, driving fasteners, or creating an opening away from the edge of a project. Hand drills are harder to find, but manufacturers offer more cordless and corded drills than any other power tool on the market. I find that buying bits is a more expensive investment than the tool itself, but you can get cheap starter sets or purchase bits as needed.

Building A Woodshop On a Budget: Shaping

Shaping tools allow you to create rounded edges or reduce material to make curves, indents, or ridges on the face of lumber.

Hand files and rasps are surprisingly under-utilized in our hobby, and I can not understand why. They are precise and remove material quickly.

Multi-tools and routers allow you to shape wood quickly. Both tools sell in entry-level designs that sacrifice some control to keep prices low. Like drills, you will need to spend on bits.

Building A Woodshop On a Budget: Sanding

One of the most affordable woodworking tools is a woodworking sander. They sell as hand-held blocks or power tool versions.

A sanding block is cheap, but you can get tired quickly on large surfaces. Power tool sanders are easier on you, and they can smooth wood quickly. They will make a huge mess, though.

Discount Woodworking Tools

Cheap woodworking tools are a blessing when building a woodshop on a budget. I have found discount woodworking tools locally from several sources. You can also find discount woodworking tools online, which might be a better option for those living outside of larger urban areas.

Building A Woodshop On a Budget: Local Discount Woodworking Tools

Buying cheap woodworking tools in person offers you the advantage of handling something before buying.

When it comes to building a woodshop on a budget, buying in person offers:

• A simple transaction process: It is safer when buying discount woodworking power tools. You can test it to make sure it works before you buy it. Returning an online used power tool can be a hassle, trust me;
• The ability to feel the item in your hands: This is important when buying discount woodworking hand tools because working with your hands is about control and precision;
• You can ask questions of the seller: Qualified staff and previous owners can tell you about the tool or demonstrate using it. That is necessary with discount woodworking power tools you might be unfamiliar with.

Building A Woodshop On a Budget: Discount Woodworking Tools Online

Some prefer to order cheap woodworking tools on the internet, and it is more convenient than driving everywhere.

Shopping for discount woodworking tools online lets you:

• Find limited-time deals quickly: Manufacturers and retailers alike will often have “flash” or “fire” sales. You can get discount woodworking hand tools or power tools, but stock is usually limited and sells out quickly. These are worth looking for, as you can get some high-quality items cheap;
• Online-only sales: Big box stores like to keep products moving, and that can mean savings for you. I find discount woodworking power tools on clearance when manufacturers come out with upgrades on existing designs. I have read about a sale online only to discover it was not being honored at local branches, so do not hesitate to pull the trigger online if you must it.

Buyer Beware!

Sometimes retailers and manufacturers provide discount woodworking hand tools or power tools because the item(s) will not sell. Research to verify there isn't a reason to avoid these discounted products. I have made purchases that I later discovered were poor designs.

Harbor Freight Woodworking Tools

When you start building a woodshop on a budget, some tool retailers are better to shop at than others. One place I recommend to those starting in our hobby is Harbor Freight. Tool snobs might scoff at the idea, but I assure you that several house brands offer quality tools at a discounted price.

Harbor Freight Woodworking Tools: House Brands

• Bauer Tools: You will find several power tools with this brand's name across them. The Bauer Tools line of products often provides greater battery capacity, voltage, and torque when compared to other brands sold at Harbor Freight;
• Central Machinery: If you are looking at building a woodshop on a budget, this brand offers several full-sized woodworking power tools. Several tool designs come in different sizes, allowing you to focus on benchtop products for more savings or getting full-sized models that are still budget-friendly;
• Central Pneumatic: Harbor Freight has an extensive line of air-driven tools. Carpenters and DIY homeowners can find savings on air compressors and nail guns through this house brand;
• Chicago Electric: As a woodworker, you will find this brand provides many of the construction-oriented power tools, like reciprocating saws, compound sliding miters saws, and multi-tool designs. It is another brand that Harbor Freight built its reputation through;
• Drill Master: The Drill Master is a trademark for Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc. It is one of the older brand names you will find at the store, and most tool designs under the name reflect that;
• Hercules: Harbor Freight offers many battery-powered tools, saving money for customers building a woodshop on a budget. These power tools are adequate in power and scope for most DIY and woodshop applications. The house brand also has corded tools and accessories;
• Pittsburgh: Those looking at building a woodshop on a budget using woodworking hand tools will find plenty under this house brand. It is one of the older product lines and it is updated regularly.

Harbor Freight Woodworking Tools: Deals

Harbor Freight offers advertisement discounts, coupons, memberships, and parking lot sales. It could supply you with an entire woodshop full of hand and power tools if you wanted.

Another bonus to shopping Harbor Freight is it is a full tool distributor, offering hand and power tools used outside of woodworking.

Discount Woodworking Equipment

Everyone is looking for the best deals on woodworking tools, not just those building a woodshop on a budget. Most hobbyists start with the assumption that woodworking shop tools and equipment are out of their reach, but that is not true.

What are some sources for discount woodworking equipment?

• Tradespersons: I've picked up some great deals through professionals looking to upgrade from their current tools. Carpenters, cabinetmakers, and fellow woodworkers expanding their business are a great source for used woodworking shop tools and equipment;
• Tool collectors: You can find discount woodworking equipment through magazines and online forums dedicated to our hobby. Some folks get ahead of themselves and need to sell off ill-advised purchases. Others inherited or received them as a gift they will never use;
• Estate sales: I hope that when my time comes, my tools are used by interested family members or sold to someone that will make use of them. These can be a cheap alternative to getting some big-name tools while building a woodshop on a budget.

Building a Woodshop on a Budget: What to Look For

Use caution when shopping for the best deals on woodworking tools. Here is a checklist I would suggest (modify it as you see fit) following while building a woodshop on a budget:

1. What do you need? Look over your current woodworking tool collection to see if you need a hand/power tool that you do not have;
2. Can you substitute it? See if any of your hand or power tools can do the job in place of the missing hand/power tool. I would also include borrowing it in this step if you know someone that has the tool you need;
3. What will it do? Buying a tool for a specific job is nice, but the best deals on woodworking tools are purchases used often. A good deal on woodworking shop tools and equipment that you only use occasionally might prove to be a waste of money;
4. Will a previously-used item work? You can save upfront on a used gadget or hand tool. If it is something that will see a lot of use, it is worth considering spending extra for a new one with a warranty.

Welcome to the world of woodworking tools, a hobby unto itself!