Woodworking involves using basic and advanced tools to craft items from wood. There is no limit to what you can create from wood. It all depends on your imagination.
Woodworking is relaxing and helps many people unwind after a long and stressful day. That is why many of them are doing it as a hobby.
But how expensive is it to get into woodworking, and is it affordable to start doing it as a new hobby?
Let’s find out.
How Expensive Is It to Get Into Woodworking?
You can start woodworking with a dedicated space and a few essential tools. You can purchase all the essential tools for around $300 and rent the space you need for an additional $300 per month. Buying advanced tools will cost you about $600-$700 more.
For this reason, I’ve divided the tools you need into two categories.
I will also provide average prices for each tool so that by the end, you will have an average estimate of how expensive it is to get into woodworking.
Woodworking: Getting Started on a Budget
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Basic tools you need to get started
In this section, I will cover all the hand tools you need to get started and their average retail prices.
Let’s get started.
1. Tape measure and a square
The tape measure is the most basic tool you need. It will help you make accurate measurements and cuts.
The pocket (spring return) tape measure is an excellent and popular choice. These tape measures can display measurements using the imperial or metric system.
You will also need a carpenter’s square to make straight, 90-degree cuts. These can be either plastic or metal, but metal ones are more durable.
The average cost of a good-quality tape measure is around $20. Whereas the average cost of a metal square is around $15.
2. Handsaw
You are going to need a simple handsaw to make your first cuts. There are various sizes with a different number of saw teeth available, but a universal one will do fine.
The average cost of a universal handsaw is around $30.
3. Wood glue
How will you glue the wood pieces together if you don’t have wood glue? That’s right, wood glue is an essential woodworking material that you need. There are different types of wood glues depending on their bonding strength.
The average cost of universal wood glue is around $30 per gallon.
4. Clamps
Gluing wood together isn’t possible without something holding the pieces together. That is why you are going to need clamps.
Bar clamps are often used to tighten any type of wood and are also an excellent choice for beginners. You will need at least two to get started.
The average cost of a good-quality bar clamp is around $15.
5. Chisels
Chisels are considered essential woodworking tools, even though you can get much done without them if you are a beginner. They are good if you want to make fine adjustments to a piece of wood and carve out unnecessary material.
The average cost of a good quality chisel set is around $70.
6. Hammer and nails
Hammer and nails are a must if you wish to get into woodworking. A good hammer will help you in any situation, so it’s a good idea to purchase one that can also remove nails.
The average price of a hammer is around $10, while nails are relatively cheap.
7. Electric drill/driver
An electric drill is another essential tool you need. It will allow you to drill holes of different sizes in wood. And if you purchase it as a drill/driver combo, you will also use it to put screws in wood with little effort.
The average price of a drill/driver is around $50.
8. Woodworking materials
Lastly, you will need to purchase wood before you get started. Common wood types you can use as a beginner are basswood and pine, while oak and walnut are more expensive options.
The average price of a 10 feet 2-inch x 4-inch piece of lumber is around $7.
You may find this useful too: Understanding The Basic Woodworking Supplies For Beginners
Advanced tools and machines to take your hobby to the next level
If you wish to become a more advanced woodworker, with time, you can also purchase these power tools:
1. Table saw
The table saw is one of the essential tools for advanced woodworkers. It is very versatile, and you can perform all kinds of precise cuts with it. Many woodworkers use table saws to cut their pieces of lumber to shape.
The average cost of a good-quality table saw is around $300.
2. Miter saw
You would undoubtedly need a miter saw to make quick and accurate crosscuts. You can think of a miter saw as a replacement for both the handsaw and the circular saw.
The average cost of a good quality miter saw is around $200.
3. Router
A router will allow you to cut holes and grooves in the middle of your wood material. You can make unique V-joints to attach wood pieces without nails and screws with a router.
The average cost of a router is around $100.
4. Jigsaw
Lastly, you will need a jigsaw to make round and complicated cuts on your wooden boards. Jigsaws are not as precise as table saws but are essential for making rounded cuts.
The average price of a jigsaw is around $30.
Read more:
- 3 Must Have Woodworking Machinery For Every Workshop
- 5 Essential Woodworking Power Tools For Every Woodworker
Where to Find Affordable Woodworking Supplies
At your local home improvement store
Your local home improvement store is the first place you can find all the essential tools. These stores often have all the necessary tools and materials, especially in a larger city.
A wholesale supplier
You may also visit a wholesale supplier since they often offer more significant tool discounts. Bulk purchasing wood materials from wholesale suppliers is also many times cheaper.
Online retailers
Purchasing online is also a good idea, which is why I provided you with links to affordable tools on Amazon in each of the previous sections. But you can also visit the official websites of eBay, Lowes, and Walmart and purchase your tools there.
Read more: 6 Factors To Consider When Purchasing A Wood Lathe
Additional Costs You Need to Consider
Workshop space
Woodworking requires a dedicated space. If you live in a house, it would be best to transform a spare room on the bottom floor or basement into your woodworking space. Many people also use their garage for occasional woodworking.
If you live in a flat, you need to rent out additional space for your workshop. The rent for a simple 12×20 barn which you can use as a workshop, is around $300 per month. This is an additional annual expense of $3,600.
Woodworking classes
If you wish to learn as much as possible about woodworking as a beginner, consider woodworking courses.
There are free online courses you can go through on websites like the Woodworkers Guild of America.
You can also visit local woodworking shops to learn the craft. WoodCraft is an excellent webpage to find local woodworking shop classrooms.
Conclusion
As you can see, getting started with woodworking doesn’t cost much if you choose or have the right tools.
With time, you will improve your craft and even start making money which will help you purchase more advanced tools.
What do you think? How expensive is it to get into woodworking, and why? Leave your comments in the comment section below and share your opinion.
