5 Essential Woodworking Power Tools that Won’t Break Your Bank

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When you start to think about working with pallets or wood in general, or you need some stuff done around the house there is one thing that is essential if you’re serious about it and that’s a power tool. Several different power tools to be exact. In this post, you’ll find the best price power tools on a budget for newbies who don’t want to spend a fortune but need a nice set of essentials.

Black and Decker BDEJS600C 5.0-Amp Jig Saw

Black And Decker BDEJS600C
  • HIGH PERFORMANCE ELECTRIC JIG SAW - 5 amp electric jig saw with a 3⁄4” blade orbital action for increased precision
  • CURVE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY - Four curve settings for maximum control over rounded cuts
  • BEVELED CUTS - Makes beveled cuts up to 45 degrees
  • HIGH POWER - Variable-speed motor generates up to 3,000 SPM of cutting power
  • ADJUSTABLE SHOE - Adjustable shoe with wire guard for enhanced stability and line of site

This is Amazon No 1 bestseller with lots of great reviews. I’m not a fan of Black & Decker myself but I must admit this tool is excellent value for money so if you need a starter jigsaw you should get this one for sure.

It has an impressive 5 Amp motor with variable speed up to 3000 SPM(strokes per minute). The speed is controlled by depressing a trigger which then can be locked at the highest speed. A control for orbital action is big and well marked and Curve Technology allows the orbit to be adjusted in 1 of 4 settings.

This tool is great for simple craft projects and would definitely serve you well when making pallet projects like wine racks.

If you’re new to power tools you won’t feel intimidated by this saw. It’s easy to hold(for men and women) and has a comfortable grip with some vibration absorption for longer use.

It also allows for bevel cuts up to 45 degrees if you ever needed to make one without a circular saw. It has a quite large base plate and wire cage for increased safety that also will make it easier to see the cut line.

The next very important feature is keyless blade change. It’s quick, very intuitive and the blade securely is held. For this saw, you’d need U or T shank blades.

I recommend buying extra blades for straight cuts and for cutting metal( like nails in pallets).


Hitachi C7ST 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw

Hitachi C7ST 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
  • Integrated dust blower for a clear line of sight and clean work surface while cutting
  • Powerful 15-Amp motor to tackle tough cutting jobs
  • Blade speed of 6,000 RPM for smoother, faster, burn-free cuts
  • Soft grip handle for reduced vibration and increased comfort
  • Dust chute efficiently expels dust, chips and debris

This is lightweight(made of steel and aluminum)but a powerful circular saw for around the house or pallet projects. It’s basic but has everything you need to learn how to use one. It’s got a 15 Amp motor with 6000 RPM that will allow you to make smooth rip or cross-cuts without any slowing down and wood burning.

For more accurate cuts its center of gravity is lowered which keeps the saw closer to the workpiece. It’s able to make a 1-7/8-Inch depth of cut at 45-Degree and a 2-7/16-Inch depth of cut at 90-Degree.

Changing blades is simple and the tool comes with a quality combo blade so you can jump right into your projects. A single-handed depth of cut lever and bevel adjustments make this circular saw easy to use by beginners but I’m sure will be appreciated even by more experienced users.

The additional features include dust blowing mechanism which is supposed to keep dust away from the cut line and dust chute to expel dust, chips, and debris. Soft grip handle gives you a comfortable grip and reduced vibrations. It comes with a hard case, a blade and cord length is 8 feet.

If you’re not feeling comfortable enough to use a circular saw, you can check compact saws like Rockwell RK3440K VersaCut Circular Saw or Rockwell RK3441K Compact Circular Saw, or if you need more choice, this best compact circular saw buying guide.


Makita BO3710 finishing sander

Makita BO3710 Finishing Sander
  • Ergonomic rubberized grip and handle designed for better fit and added comfort
  • 11,000 OPM for increased efficiency and smooth finish sanding
  • Built-in counterbalance system engineered to reduce vibration
  • Large 2-finger trigger switch with conveniently-located lock-on button for continuous use and increased operator comfort
  • Efficient through-the-pad dust collection system for a cleaner work environment

If you are a power tool newbie like I once was, moving on from hand sanding and want to have that job that everybody dislikes over and done you should definitely check out this orbital sander. It’s another example of fantastic value for money made by a company with a long-established reputation in power tools world.

For more information about why you should buy one please go to my full Makita BO3710 review.


PORTER-CABLE 382 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander

If you’re looking for a good random orbit sander on a budget Porter-Cable 382 5-inch Random Orbit Sander is the way to go. This is no frill basic tool that will do the job. It’s not the cheapest you can find on the market but reasonably priced and with Porter-Cable over 100 years reputation behind and excellent reviews it surely is worth considering.

So so if you’re a DIY newbie or weekend woodworker without a huge workload this tool is right for you. If you’re still not convinced have a look at my Porter-Cable 382 5-inch Random Orbit Sander review to help you decide.


Black & Decker LDX120C 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver

Black & Decker LDX120C Cordless Drill/Driver
  • Dual plane counter
  • Provides longer switch life
  • 100% ball bearing construction
  • Provides maximum sanding speed for smooth finishes
  • Dual plane counter

This is another example that a cheap tool can be reliable and have a tonne of great user reviews. So what’s so great about it?? Well… Let’s have a quick overview.

This cordless tool is compact and lightweight but at the same time has plenty of power and enough torque to drill in wood, metal or plastic without any problems. Its size is an advantage as you can easily use it in tight spaces.

It comes with 2(!) Li-Ion batteries and a charger. The batteries, although compact in size, are 20V and will give you plenty of time to work. They charge quickly and got no memory – that means longer battery life and you can keep it on a charger all the time without damaging it.

It has 11 Position Clutch that gives you precise control for drilling and all screw driving tasks. The variable speed allows for countersinking without damaging the material.

So it’s great little starter tool for simple tasks around the house or wood/pallet projects. Will be great for women because of its size and a light weight but any DIYer should be pleased with it.

What do you think about this tool set? Would you recommend any other tools which are good value for money? Let me know! 🙂

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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