Tools that I use

I get asked a lot about what kind of woodworking tools I use in my shop, for content creation, and in the office — here is what I use and what works for me:

Let me be clear, these aren’t the tools I started with. I’ve built up this collection over 10+ years and upgraded along the way. I’ve also bought many of the larger tools on Craigslist at significant discounts to the prices you see. I always suggest checking your local Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for deals.

Affiliate links are used on this page. See my disclosure page for info on affiliate programs.

brad holding pica pencil

Woodworking Tools

Large Power Tools

Jointer – 8″ Jet JJ-8CS
Bandsaw – 14″ Steel Bandsaw
Planer – JET 13″ Benchtop
Drum Sander – JET 18-36
Dust Collector – JET 3hp Cyclone
Air Cleaner – Powermatic PM1250
Router Table – JET Cast Iron Top
Tablesaw – Sawstop Industrial 5hp
Pocket  Hole Machine – Kreg Foreman
CNC Machine – Inventables X-Carve

Clamps

Parallel clamps – JET 40″, 24″, 12″
F-clamps – Bessey 12″, 6″
Spring clamps – Bessey Vario
Face clamps – Kreg Face clamp
Right angle pocket clamp – Kreg clamp
Web clamp – Bessey Vario

Handheld Power Tools

Track Saw – Kreg ACS
20V Drill/Driver Set – DeWalt Atomic
12V Hydaulic Impact – Milwaukee M12 Surge
Hammer Drill – DeWalt XRP
Cordless Brad Nailer – Milwaukee M18 Gen2
Dustless Sanding System – Mirka Deros 6″ System
18ga Brad Nailer – Milwaukee M18
Paint Sprayer – Wagner Flexio 5000
Trim Router 1 – Ridgid Compact (HD link)
Table-mounted Router – Porter Cable 7518
Orbit Sander – Porter Cable 333k*

Benchtop Power Tools

Miter Saw – Ridgid 12″ (HD link)
Spindle Sander – Ridgid OSS (HD link)
Drill Press – JET 12″ with DRO
Midi Lathe – JET 1221VS
Sharpening System – Worksharp 3000

Adhesives & Finish

Poly Finish – TotalBoat Halcyon Clear (10% off with code: FIXTHISTB)
Outdoor finish – TotalBoat Lust Matte (10% off with code: FIXTHISTB)
Cutting Boards – Mineral Oil / Beeswax Blend
Epoxy General Use – TotalBoat 2:1 (10% off with code: FIXTHISTB)
Glue – Titebond II
Super Glue – Starbond CA

Shop Accessories

Large Pocket Hole Jig – Kreg K4
Medium Pocket Hole Jig – Kreg R3
Dust Respirator – 3M 6500 (medium)
Mask filters (dust) – 3M 2097
Mask filters (VOC) – 3M 6001 with prefilter
Hearing protection – ISOtunes Bluetooth Earbuds (10% off with code: FTBT)
Glue bottle – FastCap Glu-Bot
Tablesaw Push block – MicroJig Grr-Ripper
Jointer Push block – MicroJig Grr-Rip Block
Dado blade – Freud SD208
Tablesaw blade – Freud Premier Fusion
Miter Saw blade – Diablo 100 tooth
Sanding block – Hook and Loop 5″
Shop vacuum – Fein Turbo Vac
Flush Cut Saw – Bear Saw
No-Mar Countersink Bit – Amana

If my tool is discontinued it will have a * after it.  RIDGID tools should be purchased through Home Depot (HD link) to easily get the warranty.

Software, Web Tools, Camera and Video Equipment

Software/Services

My Editing Computer – Build Article
Current Web Hosting – BigScoots
Entry Level Web Hosting – BlueHost
Website Domain – GoDaddy domains
Business Cash Back Card – Chase Ink Unlimited
CNC Design Software- Easel
Plans – Sketchup
Annotations – SnagIt 12
Picture/Video editing – Adobe Suite
Stickers – Sticker Mule
Pinterest Scheduler – Tailwind
Accounting Software – QB Self Employed
NAS Data Backup – Synology DS1618+
VPN Network Protection – NordVPN

Camera/Video Equipment

Main Camera – Panasonic GH5S
EF Adapter – Metabones Speedbooster Ultra
Main Lens – Sigma art 18-35mm f1.8
Secondary Camera – Canon 70D
General Lens – Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8
Finish shot lens – Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM
Wide Angle lens – Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 STM
Memory Card – 64gb Sandisk
Umbrella Lighting – Limo Studio Kit
Camera Tripod – Manfrotto 190X
Shotgun Camera Mic – Shure VP83
USB Microphone – Blue Ice Snowball
Skype/web cam – Logitech C920
Wireless lav mic – Sennheiser AVX