TOPIC
Power Tools
Table saw, band saw, router, planer, jointer, drill press, miter saw, sanders, CNC, and track saw.
18 guides · 10 subtopics
Power tools trade finesse for speed and repeatability. A table saw rips a board to width in seconds. A planer surfaces a rough board in one pass. A router cuts joints that would take an hour by hand.
These guides cover the tools that form the backbone of most workshops: which to buy first, how to set them up safely, and the core cuts and operations each one unlocks.
10-Inch Table Saw Blades
Choose the right 10-inch table saw blade — blade types, tooth count, kerf, specific brand picks, and how to match a blade to your saw's motor.
12-Inch Table Saw: Who Actually Needs One
12-inch table saws are industrial machines most shops can't power. What you gain, what models exist, and the better alternative for most woodworkers.
220 Grit Sandpaper
220 grit sandpaper is the standard final sanding grit before finish. Learn when it's right, when to stop earlier, and which mineral to choose.
8 Inch Jointer
An 8-inch jointer handles nearly all rough hardwood widths where a 6-inch model can't. Learn what it does, what specs matter, and which models are worth buying.
Bandsaw Box
How to make a bandsaw box from a single block of wood. Blade selection, wood species, grain direction, build steps, troubleshooting, and finish options.
Band Saw for Woodworking: How to Choose the Right Size
The 14-inch band saw is the shop standard. How throat depth and resaw capacity work, which size to buy, and three blades that cover everything.
Best Table Saw Blade
The best table saw blade for most beginners is the Diablo D1040X ($35). Here's when to upgrade and what the premium actually buys.
Compound Miter Saw vs Miter Saw
A compound miter saw adds a blade tilt (bevel) a basic saw doesn't have. For most beginner projects, you don't need it. Here's when you do.
Cordless Brad Nailers
Cordless brad nailers shoot 18-gauge nails without a compressor. Learn when to choose cordless over pneumatic, which model to buy, and core technique.
Cordless Routers
Which cordless router fits your battery ecosystem, what it can't do, and when to reach for your corded router instead.
Double Bevel Miter Saw
A double bevel miter saw tilts both left and right, so you never flip the workpiece for matching compound cuts. Worth buying if you cut crown molding regularly. Single bevel is fine for most other work.
Dovetail Router Bits
The right dovetail router bit depends on your jig. Learn which angle each requires, how to set depth for a clean fit, and what causes burning and tearout.
Electric Hand Planer
An electric hand planer trims doors, chamfers edges, and levels site lumber. Learn what it actually does, when to buy one, and the best models by budget.
Jointer vs Planer
A jointer flattens. A planer thicknesses. Learn how each works, the milling sequence that connects them, and which to buy first.
Router Bits: What Every Type Does and Which 5 to Buy
Router bits come in dozens of profiles, but five handle 80% of woodworking projects. Here's what each type cuts and which bits to buy at every price.
Router Tables
Router tables give you both hands on the wood and consistent results across dozens of pieces. Here's which table, which router, and how to get started.
Table Saw Fence
How table saw fences work, a five-test evaluation framework, and when to fix, improve, or replace yours. Specific tolerances, costs, and products.
Wood Routers
Wood routers cut edge profiles, dadoes, rabbets, and mortises that no other tool can match. Learn which router to buy and how to use it safely.