5 Essentials for the Hobbyist Woodworker
A woodworking hobbyist works in a world of craftsmanship powered by the skilled use of tools. Which tools you need depends on the project. Hobbyists saw, plane, sand, shape, nail, assemble, and finish domestic and exotic woods to make almost anything they can imagine. A good working knowledge of both wood and tools makes woodworking a lot more fun.
That said, every hobbyist has limited tools, limited space, and limited time to bring a woodworking idea to life, so choices have to be made. The wood that’s available, the cost of tools, and the project budget all help a hobbyist focus on what they need to get the job done.
Five Woodworking Essentials
- Measuring: No woodworking project is complete without plenty of measuring: materials, space, edges, holes, and more. You name it, and you’ll have to measure it at some point. Measuring tools include a try square, miter square, dovetail marker, marking gauge, and a simple tape measure.
- Cutting: Woodworkers generally buy lumber that’s already been milled, but most projects still need more cutting. Woodshops have many kinds of saws, but that doesn’t need to intimidate beginners. Just make sure you have the right saw for the job and know how to use it safely.
- Ventilation: Sawdust can be hard on the lungs, even on a small project. Dust collection systems are widely available, and every woodworker should set up their shop with good ventilation and dust control.
Moisture measurement: A must for any woodworker who’s serious about quality results. Wood constantly absorbs and releases moisture as the relative humidity and temperature of the surrounding air change. A moisture meter lets you check the wood’s moisture content (MC) at any time, and handheld pinless meters make it easy to track MC accurately. Wagner moisture meters measure MC in a wide range of wood species, with settings you can choose for each species you work with. When MC changes enough, so do the wood’s dimensions. You don’t want the wrong MC to ruin your project, and a moisture meter is a simple investment that helps prevent that.
- Patience: A tool? Absolutely. You need to wait long enough for glue to dry, for example. Successful woodworkers also monitor and adjust the temperature and relative humidity in the shop so the wood’s MC stays where it should be, typically 6% to 8% for most indoor projects, depending on where you live.
Free Download – 6 Reasons Your Wood Project Failed
Great woodworking projects start with the fundamentals. Take care of those, and have fun.
As Sales Manager for Wagner Meters, Ron has more than 35 years of experience with instrumentation and measurement systems in different industries. In previous positions, he has served as Regional Sales Manager, Product and Projects Manager, and Sales Manager for manufacturers involved in measurement instrumentation.
Last updated on October 12th, 2026
800-634-9961
I am a member of woodworking honest now and would like to use my iPad to receive posts and to post on my own to help others out with there projects and help them with other things.