Resources
Where to buy tools & materials
A short, practical list of US stores and suppliers, with what each one is generally good for. Start with what's nearby, and buy tools as projects call for them.
No paid links. None of these links are affiliate links or sponsored placements, and no store asked to be listed (disclosure). Prices, stock, and policies change, so check with the store before you buy. Links open in a new tab.
Big-box home centers
Convenient for construction lumber, sheet goods, fasteners, glue, finishes, and common power tools. Pick through the rack carefully; our guide to choosing lumber explains how.
- The Home Depot (external site, opens in a new tab)
Nationwide home center: dimensional and select lumber, plywood, hardware, finishes, and power tools.
- Lowe's (external site, opens in a new tab)
Nationwide home center with a similar range: lumber, sheet goods, fasteners, finishes, and tools.
- Menards (external site, opens in a new tab)
Home-improvement chain in the Midwest with a large lumber and building-materials section.
Woodworking specialty stores
Woodworking-specific tools, jigs, clamps, hardware, sharpening gear, and finishes, plus staff who are usually woodworkers themselves.
- Rockler Woodworking and Hardware (external site, opens in a new tab)
Retail stores and online: jigs, clamps, furniture hardware, finishes, and shop accessories.
- Woodcraft (external site, opens in a new tab)
Stores across the US and online: hand and power tools, sharpening supplies, finishes, and some hardwoods.
- Highland Woodworking (external site, opens in a new tab)
Atlanta-based store and online catalog, strong in hand tools, sharpening, and woodworking books.
- Lee Valley Tools (Veritas) (external site, opens in a new tab)
Canadian retailer that ships to the US; home of the Veritas line of planes, saws, and marking tools, plus hardware.
- Garrett Wade (external site, opens in a new tab)
Long-running catalog retailer of hand tools and workshop supplies.
Hardwood lumber
For furniture-grade hardwoods (cherry, walnut, maple, oak), a lumber dealer usually has far more choice than a home center. Online suppliers ship nationwide; local dealers let you pick boards in person.
- Woodworkers Source (external site, opens in a new tab)
Hardwood dealer with stores in Phoenix, Tempe, and Tucson that also sells online and ships to your door.
- Bell Forest Products (external site, opens in a new tab)
Michigan mill and retailer known for figured maple and a wide range of exotic species; ships nationwide.
- Woodfinder (external site, opens in a new tab)
Directory for finding lumber, veneer, and sawmill services by location.
Tools
Buy the tools a project needs, when it needs them. Read reviews, check return policies, and remember that a sharp, well-tuned tool matters more than an expensive one.
- Amazon (external site, opens in a new tab)
Huge selection of tools, blades, bits, and shop supplies. Check the seller and read reviews carefully.
- Harbor Freight Tools (external site, opens in a new tab)
Budget-priced tools and shop supplies. Often good value for clamps, carts, and occasional-use tools; inspect before relying on precision tools.
- Lie-Nielsen Toolworks (external site, opens in a new tab)
Maker of premium hand tools: bench planes, chisels, saws, and more.
Finishes and hardware
Home centers and woodworking stores carry the basics. These specialists are useful when you need something particular.
- General Finishes (external site, opens in a new tab)
Maker of water- and oil-based stains, topcoats, and paints, sold through woodworking stores and other retailers.
- Shellac.net (Wood Finishing Supplies) (external site, opens in a new tab)
Shellac flakes in many grades, plus other traditional finishing supplies.
- Horton Brasses (external site, opens in a new tab)
Reproduction furniture and cabinet hardware: pulls, knobs, hinges, and chest hardware.
- McMaster-Carr (external site, opens in a new tab)
Industrial supplier with an enormous catalog of fasteners, threaded inserts, and hardware.
Used tools
Used hand tools and older machines can be excellent value. See the buying tips below before you go.
- Facebook Marketplace (external site, opens in a new tab)
Local listings for tools, machines, and sometimes lumber from shop clean-outs.
- Craigslist (external site, opens in a new tab)
Classified listings by city; check the "tools" and "materials" sections.
- EstateSales.net (external site, opens in a new tab)
Find estate sales near you; sales that list a workshop can turn up hand tools and machines.
Finding a local hardwood dealer or sawmill
A local hardwood dealer is often the best source for furniture lumber: you can pick your own boards, and many will plane or cut to size for a fee. To find one:
- Search maps for "hardwood lumber dealer near me", "lumber yard hardwood", or "sawmill near me".
- Ask at a woodworking store or a local woodworking club where members buy their wood.
- Look for small sawmills and arborists who sell slabs and boards. Ask whether the wood is kiln-dried or air-dried and how long it's been drying; freshly sawn wood needs a long time to dry before furniture use.
Before you go: bring your cut list, a tape measure, and a little extra budget. Hardwood is usually sold by the board foot (1" × 12" × 12" of rough lumber). Ask whether boards are rough or surfaced (S2S, S4S), and allow extra for defects, typically 15–20% or more.
Tips for buying used tools
- Meet safely. Meet in a public place or bring a friend, and don't send payment before you've seen the item.
- Hand tools: look for cracks in cast iron (plane bodies, frogs), chipped or cracked handles, and deep pitting on backs and soles. Surface rust usually cleans up.
- Machines: ask to see them run. Listen for bearing noise, check that guards, fences, and switches are present and working, and look for cracks in castings. Bring a small straightedge and square.
- Missing safety parts: check that replacement guards, riving knives, and manuals are still available for that model before you buy.
- Recalls: search the model at CPSC.gov recalls (external site, opens in a new tab) before buying an older power tool.