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Many veteran and would-be carpenters dream of setting up the ideal space for their crafts. They may pine for a dedicated building with large doors and lots of light. But what about the gear inside? What are the tools and gadgets that a carpenter’s dream workshop must have?
Beyond the table saw and miter saw that most good carpentry workshops are typically built around, there are many other essentials that make a workshop more comfortable and efficient. Keep reading to learn about 10 of the most important items a carpenter may want in their workshop, as well as where you can find them for your dream shop.
1. Dust Collection
Carpenters and woodworkers usually love building things but not cleaning up the dust that their projects leave behind. A dust collection system can help do that chore. With distribution hoses and pipes that run back to a central collection point, they can sand and saw to their heart’s content and simply empty the bag when it’s full.
Get the Shop Fox W1727 1 HP Dust Collector at Amazon for $422
2. Plenty of Light
Whether it’s cutting framing members to length or performing intricate joinery on expensive, exotic wood species, carpenters need light to see what they’re doing. By setting up a set of plug-in shop lights, they’ll be able to light their entire dream workshop with one switch. Best yet, modern versions use LED lights that aren’t affected by cold temperatures, giving a carpenter the light they need immediately.
Get the Barrina LED T5 Pack of 6 at Amazon for $45.99
3. There Are Never Enough Clamps
Experienced carpenters know that all of the fancy power tools in the world can’t make up for a lack of clamps. A set or two squeeze 12-inch clamps will help for smaller projects or quickly clamping workpieces to the table. A few sets of longer bar clamps are helpful for larger glue-ups and custom projects.
Get the Jorgensen 12″ Bar Clamps Set at Amazon for $39.99
Get the Bora 50″ Parallel Clamp Set at Amazon for $93.55
4. A Good Workbench
Sometimes the difference between a good project and a great project is the work surface it’s built on. A good workbench (or a few) is critical. For a jumpstart, purchase a ready-made workbench that just requires assembly. These workbenches are typically flat and stable, and they often offer room for some hand tool storage. For a more customizable approach, you can build your own workbench from a set of plans.
Get the OLYMPIA Hardwood Workbench at Home Depot for $159
5. Power On Tap
Having power nearby (or at least within reach) in a moment’s notice can help maintain workflow, and it’s something many workshops sorely lack. With a retractable extension cord, there’s always power on tap, and with lengths of 60 feet or more, they can reach everywhere in most shops. Best of all, they roll up neatly, keeping the shop (and cords) safe.
Get the Flexzilla Retractable Extension at Amazon for $103.20
6. Shop Air System
Whether it’s for nail and brad guns or for blowing dust off of a workbench, running an air hose across the shop floor only to have to put the tool, hose, and compressor away when the project is done can be a pain. Instead, a carpenter’s dream workshop may include a shop air system with ports installed near workbenches. Simply pipe the system from the compressor and split it to wherever air might be necessary. Add a few coiled air hoses for even more convenience.
Get the Primefit PCKIT26 Air Piping System at Amazon for $84.97
Get the Flexzilla Polyurethane Recoil Hose at Amazon for $20.95
7. Lots of Tool Storage
Carpenters tend to collect a lot of tools, from hammers and chisels to power tools and layout gear. All of those precious tools need a safe and secure storage spot when they’re not in use. A rolling toolbox with a lock can be a perfect addition to a carpenter’s dream workshop. Some models even come with wood tops that won’t dull the blades on planes or chisels when they’re in use as a work surface.
Get the Husky 9-Drawer Gloss Black Deep Tool Chest at The Home Depot for $398
8. Wood Organization
Carpenters can’t do much without the wood—lumber, hardwood, and plywood—that the trade requires, but stacks of wood tend to clutter up a space. With a wall-mounted storage rack, they can keep all of their lumber and boards off of the ground, neatly stored, and organized. When it comes to sheet goods, a simple rolling cart can keep the wood neatly stored vertically and it can roll out of the way.
Get the Bora Portamate Wood Organizer and Lumber Storage Rack at Amazon for $49
Get the Little Giant PT-2436-5PY Steel Panel Truck at Amazon for $330.68
9. Fastener Organization
There are few things as frustrating to carpenters as not being able to find the right fasteners when they need them (especially when they know they have them). The solution? Fastener organization. A few wall-mounted cabinets for fastener bins keeps screws and nails in order. Plus, the bins can be removed and brought to the workbench or the backyard for easy access.
Get the Greenpro Screw Organizer at Amazon for $32.69
10. Air Filtration
Spending all day in a workshop can take its toll on a carpenter’s sinuses, throat, and lungs. Although dust collection helps, air filtration is better. With a ceiling-mounted system, all the dust in the air collects on removable and replaceable filters rather than in the carpenter’s airways. This means healthier working conditions for longer (and more frequent) days in the shop, which is usually a carpenter’s dream.
Get the WEN 3-Speed Remote-Controlled Air Filtration System at Home Depot for $142.79
Prices are accurate as of publication on 12/30/21.
