Woodworking beautifully dovetails high-tech with high touch. Precision woodworking machinery guided by an artisan’s touch produces cabinetry, furnishings and homes people enjoy living with and living in for decades after the product is fashioned. Those products aren’t the only things that can be beautiful: procure high-end or niche woodworking tools for sale in your business, and apply the tools themselves as part of your marketing mix.

Although the woodworking industry feels squeezed by the housing crisis and its associated credit crunch on one end and pressure from foreign competition importing woodworking tools and machinery at the other, wood working businesses can still find space to carve out a niche with the right equipment. Manufactures and distributors market a boggling array of tools for you to pick out, following the adage “the right tool for every job.” Three categories of tools for woodworking to consider include:

1. Woodworking hand tools for project versatility;

2. Woodworking bench equipment for bigger projects; and

3. Custom woodworking tools to maintain or upgrade the bench equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Come to grips with electric and muscle powered woodworking hand tools

Hand tools provide versatility and mobility in your work, from rough carpentry to fine cabinet making. Keep on hand both powered and manual tools, as work fluctuates between big jobs such as roughing in framing and finesse work, like fine joinery or marquetry on a side table.

I recommend: Skil Power Tools has supplied power tools since 1960, manufacturing over 50 tools well-known in the construction industry, building on the reputation of the legendary No. 77 Skilsaw, the benchmark for portable electric circular saws. Ron Diefenbacher takes the experience gained from 25 years of teaching and crafting custom hardwood furniture to evaluate hand tools and distribute what he considers the best, through his company Diefenbacher Tools.

Invest in quality woodworking equipment

Stationary woodworking machines define your work space. The kinds of saws, jointers, planes and sanders you operate to shape raw stock into finished pieces affect the very work you produce. Search out machines with a track record for reliability, backed by companies with a good customer service record, so you can concentrate on producing quality work from your shop.

I recommend: Founded in 1983, Grizzly Industrial direct sells stationary woodworking machines. Woodmaster Tools produces planers and drum-sanders for woodworking shops.

Stock up on woodworking supplies

Exploit the diversity of supplies available for woodworking power tools. Router bits in particular can extend the range of possibilities for your router table. Don't skimp on blades and cutters, either. Sharp blades produce a cleaner edge and smoother surface and don't gum up or bind, saving you time, frustration and even the finish on your wood work.

I recommend: Specializing in router bits for fine cabinetry, Jesada Tools also manufactures planer accessories and blades for bandsaws and scroll saws. Carolina Specialty Tools designs and manufactures high-tech woodworking tools, from carbide tips, cutters and router bits.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't skimp on safety equipment when woodworking: avail yourself of gloves, goggles and muffs to protect feeling, seeing and hearing.