Resources
Top tools
Our tool picks by category, plus guides by job. Buy what your next project needs.
By job
- Clamp a glue-up
- Cut plywood and long boards straight
- Rip narrow strips on a table saw
- Engrave and cut with a laser
- Clear laser smoke from the room
- Carve and cut with a CNC
- Design files without paying
- Drill clean, square holes
- Collect dust and chips
- Sand smooth surfaces
- Drive framing nails
- Route edges and profiles
- Join boards with pocket screws
- Cut curves and shapes
- Trim and fit joints by hand
- Crosscut boards square and at angles
- Measure and mark square lines
Our tool picks
Pages that name the specific tools we’d buy in one category, with prices, specs and dated sources.
Some card pictures show the tool picked on that page; the others are from our shop or are illustrations. No tool maker sponsors this site.
Clamping and glue-ups
Tool picks
Wood glue
Yellow wood glues for indoor, outdoor and longer glue-ups, chosen from independent tests and guides.
Saws and cutting
Some card pictures show the tool picked on that page; the others are from our shop or are illustrations. No tool maker sponsors this site.
Tool picks
Circular saws
A budget corded saw, a corded upgrade with a blade brake, and a cordless pick.
Tool picks
Jigsaws
A cordless jigsaw for curves, cutouts and rough cuts in plywood and boards, chosen from independent tests and reviews.
Drilling and joinery
Tool picks
Drill presses
A compact benchtop drill press for your first one and a slower, stronger step up, chosen from independent tests.
Tool picks
Pocket-hole jigs
Two Kreg pocket-hole jigs: a small clamp-on jig and a benchtop jig that sets itself to the board's thickness.
Tool picks
Cordless drills
An 18V cordless hammer drill/driver kit for drilling holes and driving screws.
Hand tools
Tool picks
Block planes
A low-angle block plane with an adjustable mouth, for trimming end grain, easing edges and fitting parts.
Tool picks
Measuring and marking tools
A 7 in. aluminum speed square for marking square and angled cuts, chosen from independent reviews and guides.
More tools
Tool picks
Random orbital sanders
Two corded 5 in. random-orbit sanders for smoothing boards and projects before finish, chosen from independent tests and reviews.
Photo credits
- Miter saws: Image: DEWALT product image
- Routers: Image: Bosch product image
- Cordless drills: Image: Milwaukee product image
- Measuring and marking tools: Image: Swanson product image
- Random orbital sanders: Image: Makita product image
Product images are from each maker’s product page and are shown only to identify the products. The makers haven’t reviewed, sponsored or endorsed this page. If you own an image here and want it removed, email hello@sawdustsmart.com.
Guides and comparisons
Pages that start from a job or a question and compare the kinds of tool that do it. Some also name a pick.
Saws and cutting
Guide
Which push stick or push block should you use on a table saw?
Push stick, push block or a multi-leg block: when each fits, per OSHA and table saw makers' manuals.
Laser
Guide
Do you need air assist for laser engraving?
Air assist for diode and CO2 lasers: what it does on wood, when you need it, and which kind to start with.
Guide
What should you put under a laser engraver?
Honeycomb, slats or a metal plate: what to put under a laser engraver, and why, from makers' manuals and independent tests.
Guide
What free software can you use with a laser engraver?
LaserGRBL, your laser maker's app, a free design program or paid LightBurn: what each does, per independent reviews.
Guide
How should you deal with smoke from a laser engraver?
Vent outdoors, an enclosure, or a filter unit: what safety guidance and makers say about laser smoke.
Guide
Diode or CO2 laser for wood: which kind should you get?
Diode or CO2 for wood: materials, cutting depth, enclosures and eye safety, per independent guides and makers' specs.
CNC
Guide
Which V-bit should you use for CNC signs: 60° or 90°?
90°, 60° or narrower: which V-bit to use for CNC signs, from independent guides and bit makers' specs.
Guide
Which CNC router bits should you buy first?
Upcut, downcut, compression, V-bit and surfacing: which CNC router bits to buy first, from independent guides and a hands-on bit test.
Guide
What free software do you need to run a hobby CNC router?
Design, toolpaths and a sender: which free CNC programs do each, and the limits their makers set, per independent guides.
More tools
Guide
What sander do you need for cutting boards?
A random-orbit sander for every board, a drum sander for end grain, and our two random-orbit picks, chosen from independent tests.
Guide
Which Forstner bits do you need?
Forstner bit rim styles compared: which leave smoother holes, which cut faster, and how slow to run big ones.
Guide
Dust collector or shop vac for a small shop?
Shop vac, HEPA dust extractor or dust collector: which suits sanders, routers and CNC, and which suits big chip makers.
Tool reviews
Hands-on reviews of tools we own and use in the shop.
Review
Grizzly G1030Z2P dust collector
Hands-on owner review of Cody's 3 HP Polar Bear G1030Z2P: real CFM for chip makers, dual bags, honest limits.
Review
Porter-Cable 7346 random orbit sander
Hands-on owner review of Cody's 6 in. Porter-Cable 7346: barrel grip, side handle, variable speed, honest limits.
Review
Milwaukee M12 FUEL Orbital Detail Sander
Hands-on owner review of Cody's M12 FUEL detail sander: 1.5 mm orbit, four speeds, honest limits; aftermarket battery noted.
Review
DEWALT DCN692 20V MAX framing nailer
Hands-on owner review of Cody's DEWALT DCN692 framing nailer: 30° paper-tape, sequential/bump.
Review
DEWALT DCW600 20V MAX XR compact router
Hands-on owner review of Cody's DEWALT DCW600 compact router: 16k–25.5k RPM, 1/4 in. collet, fixed base, shop photos.
Review
Husky C271H 27 gal. 200 PSI vertical air compressor
Hands-on owner review of Cody's Husky C271H: 27 gal., 200 PSI max, 5.1 SCFM @ 90 PSI, 1.7 RHP, oil-free, shop photos.
Review
Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig K4
Hands-on owner review of Cody's Kreg K4: benchtop pocket-hole jig, toggle clamp, 3-hole steel guide, onboard bit storage.
More categories are on the way. For stores and suppliers, see Where to buy.
A recall notice on any pick shows at the top of its page.
We pick tools from independent tests and reviews, not our own testing.