Carpentry and woodworking are artful trades requiring attention to detail—that’s why you need the best of the best in tooling. Our list of the top eight must-have tools includes the Red House Tools EZ-Wings Pro EZP-36 Saw Station, Craftsman CMHT82344 24IN I-Beam Level, and the DEWALT 20V MAX* Cordless Brushless Belt Sander. Tools like this and more will make your workdays smoother and project completion faster.
1. ESTWING Hammer – 16 oz Curved Claw with Smooth Face & Shock Reduction Grip
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Available with smooth and milled spaces – Durable with a smooth grip – Polished and forged in one well-balanced piece | – The 16oz weight isn’t ideal for everyone |
Every carpenter and woodworker needs a reliable hammer, and this 16-oz curved claw from Estwing has almost exclusively rave reviews. It’s made with polished and forged steel in one piece and comes with a Shock Reduction Grip® for comfortable handling. Customers are impressed with the balance and temper, and this model is low-priced at almost any retailer.
Product highlights
- Patented shock reduction grip
- Reduced vibration
- American-made polished steel
2. Milwaukee M18 FUEL D-HANDLE JIG SAW
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – 4-position orbital cutting for versatility – Speed up to 3,500 strokes per minute – LED light brings high visibility to your worksite | – Some users cite it’s surprisingly heavy to use and causes fatigue |
- Price: $125 – 200
- Buy it: Amazon | Home Depot
This cordless M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Jig Saw combines speed, precision, and quality cuts for various materials. It uses Milwaukee’s POWERSTATE Brushless Motor and REDLINK PLUS Intelligence to outperform even corded jig saws in the speed department, offering up to 3500 strokes per minute.
Choose between four positions of orbital cutting for a diverse range of cutting applications, and take comfort in the non-marring shoe cover to protect finished surfaces. It also has an on/off cut line blower and built-in LED light for maximum visibility.
Product highlights
- Toolless shoe bevel allows shoe adjustment with detents at 0°, 15°, 30° and 45°
- Variable speed functionality for precise control
- Supports optimized performance and tool overload protection
3. Red House Tools EZ-Wings Pro EZP-36 Saw Station
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Can be mounted and stored in seconds – Lightweight and expandable – Fits almost any miter saw | – Through most retailers, the station is only available in red |
- Price: $840 – 1050 for the kit
- Buy it: Amazon | Northern Tool & Equipment
Elevate your miter saw station with Red House Tools’s EZ-Wings. This station includes universal T-tracks that support a multitude of attachments and accessories like stop blocks, hold-downs, and jigs. It fits virtually any miter saw brand and size and can be mounted and stored in seconds.
This saw station is sturdy, easy to clean, and can be used with or without the fold-down stabilizing legs. It’s also lightweight, modular, and customizable for any material length.
Product highlights
- Lightweight and modular, making it easy to store
- Can be used without the legs for versatile applications
- Sturdy and secure to hold almost any miter saw
4. Craftsman CMHT82344 24IN I-Beam Level
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Multiple measurements and angles – 360˚ vials never need an adjustment – Durable and easy to store | – Some users cite the plastic isn’t as durable as they’d like it |
- Price: $12
- Buy it: Acme Tools
A reliable beam level is a must-have, and woodworkers and carpenters rave about this Craftsman 24” model. It’s magnetic, making it hands-free and easy to use, is durable and easy to store, and comes with three vials for multiple measurements. You never have to set or calibrate with the 360˚ vials that always stay accurate.
Product highlights
- Magnetic for hands-free use
- 180˚ rotating vial
- Available in standard and lighted models with LED vials
5. DEWALT 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Double Bevel
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Precise for fine woodworking – LED light and cut alignment system for high visibility – Dual bevel system supports 0 to 49-degree bevel cuts | – Some users cite it’s overpriced for the quality |
- Price: $399 – 499
- Buy it: Amazon | Home Depot
We’ve covered the saw station, but consider this DeWalt 12-inch compound miter saw for the work itself. This saw supports an industry-leading cutting range including 6-3/4 inch vertical capacity, 7-1/2 inch nested crown capacity, and 13-7/8 inch horizontal capacity. It’s made to be accurate and precise but durable enough for even deck building and framing.
The saw also features an adjustable detent plate with ten positive stops and supports miters 60 degrees to the right and 50 degrees to the left. The cam lock allows for locking at specific cutting angles and the cut alignment system has an LED light and casts a laser-like shadow on your work surface.
Product highlights
- Cam lock miter button allows users to lock specific cutting angles
- Cut alignment system means no recalibration
- Rail lock latch maximizes and simplifies vertical cutting capacity
6. Dust Right Dust Separator + 36” Flex-Form Hose
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Dust extractor and wood chip separator – Rolls smoothly around any shop – 10-gallon capacity | – The lid is prone to cracking if used roughly |
A clean space is a productive space, and the Dust Right Dust Separator is up for the job. Its ten-gallon capacity makes it easy to move around any shop, and the translucent bucket makes it easy to know when to empty.
The cyclone technology smartly separates wood chips from air, safely storing them in the bin and preventing them from clogging the vacuum filter. It’s powerful and easy to store, and the long hose makes operation convenient.
Product highlights
- Five-caster base supports easy maneuvering around your workspace
- Cyclonic airflow separates wood dust particles and air and stays out of the vacuum filter
- Translucent bucket makes it easy to determine when it’s full
7. DEWALT 20V MAX* Cordless Brushless Belt Sander
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – 22% more power than similar corded sanders – Variable speed trigger for any application – Quick and easy belt changes | – Some users cite a short battery life |
- Price: $200 – 250
- Buy it: Amazon | Home Depot
The DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Brushless Belt Sander is a top pick if you’re looking for a sander. It’s powerful, cordless, and has a long battery life, so your work is never interrupted. It has a comfortable grip handle for optimal control, and the quick-release tool-free system means fast belt changes.
This sander also has a 25-speed selection dial and maximum power in the 20V MAX* XR system. It’s made for the most precise and powerful applications.
Product highlights
- Long battery runtime
- Comes with an effective dust collection system
- Can cover 16% more surface area sanded vs. the Milwaukee m18 fuel model
8. IRWIN QUICK-GRIP Clamps for Woodworking, One-Handed Bar Clamps
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Clamp capacity of 0 to 24″ – Handy locking swivel jaw – Removable pads and quick-change screw | – Some users cite it’s too lightweight |
Small but mighty, every woodworker and carpenter needs a pair of clamps in their toolbox. These quick-grip clamps from Irwin are fairly priced, reliable, and support up to 300 lbs of sustained clamping force. The swivel jaw also allows for evenly distributed clamp force, and the removable pads and quick change screw make use fast and customizable.
These clamps also have a heat-treated black oxide bar for added rigidity, strength, and resistance to gouging. The best part? You only need one hand to operate them.
Product highlights
- Supports 300 lbs of sustained clamping force
- Heat-treated finish prevents rust
- Spreading capacity of 7-1/2″ to 31-1/4″
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