Top 10 Best New Woodworking Tools of 2017 for Every Craftsperson

The Woodshop Chronicles: My Journey Through 2017’s Best New Tools

So, I was sitting in my garage the other day, coffee in one hand and a piece of reclaimed oak in the other, just daydreaming about all the possibilities. You know how it goes. One moment you’re trying to design a simple bookshelf, and the next, you’re picturing a grand library, complete with spiral staircases and hidden compartments. But then reality hit like a wayward hammer—my tools were old, worn down, and frankly, I had no idea what I was doing half the time.

It was back in 2017 that I stumbled upon some new woodworking tools that just blew my mind—or at least my little corner of the garage. I remember the day vividly. The sun was shining, and I had a day off from my regular job at the local hardware store. I decided to take a little trip to the woodshop supply shop just a few blocks away. You could smell the sawdust as soon as I walked in, the sweet, earthy aroma of fresh-cut lumber mixing with the more sterile scent of new metal and plastic. It’s oddly comforting, like a warm blanket of nostalgia wrapped around you.

Now, I was on a mission. I needed something reliable, something that wouldn’t leave me cursing at a half-finished project. First, I laid eyes on this battery-powered circular saw. Oh, man, it was a beauty! The way the light glinted off that shiny blade… It was the kind of tool that made you feel like Bob the Builder or something. I almost grabbed it immediately, but I hesitated, thinking about how my old faithful saw hadn’t failed me too many times—yet. There was this tug-of-war in my mind: should I stick with what I know, or kick it up a notch?

That little moment of doubt turned out to be a blessing because I spent hours exploring new battery-powered options. Long story short, I left with that circular saw—DeWalt, if you must know. It wasn’t just the tool itself, but how excited it made me feel. I’d finally cast off my old saw like an old dog that just didn’t fetch anymore.

Right after I got it, I started in on that bookshelf I mentioned earlier. The first time I fired the saw up, let me tell ya, it made this glorious whirring sound that had no right to make a simple piece of machinery sound so sweet. I felt like I could take on the world. Of course, about halfway through my first cut, I almost lost a finger because I got cocky and tried to adjust the board while the saw was still running. Yeah, not my proudest moment. Lesson learned: power tools demand respect.

Then after that, I got curious about joining some of my pieces together. I remember scrolling through woodworking blogs late into the night, looking for advice. That’s when I stumbled on this thing called a pocket hole jig. It was like discovering the secret to alchemy or something. Who knew that joining two wooden boards could be so simple? I picked up a Kreg jig, and it completely changed my outlook on how clean joints could be.

Of course, I made some mistakes along the way. The first time I used the pocket hole jig, I set the wrong depth on the bit. It popped through one side of my nice cherry wood like a bad horror movie. I nearly flipped the workbench over in frustration—seriously. But that moment turned into a valuable reminder: sometimes, mistakes turn into opportunities to innovate. That “oops” moment led me to create a patched design that, in the end, turned out looking pretty darn intentional. I laughed at myself when I saw how much I’d overreacted.

Let me tell you, the cedar smells differently when you’re working with it, especially when you’re sanding it down. The sweet, aromatic scents wafting up as you run the sander over your workpiece make the long hours seem shorter. It’s like a therapy session with a good friend except instead of talking, you’re whittling away at your frustrations.

Now, I can’t forget to mention my love affair with an electric hand planer I picked up later on in the year. I don’t know why I held off on getting one for so long—the smooth shavings that came off of the wood while using that tool felt like literal magic. The satisfying sound of the motor humming along while the shavings drifted down like confetti was enough to put a grin on my face. Who knew leveling the surface of a board could feel that rewarding?

These tools brought me more than just straightforward carpentry; they transformed the space around me. I started feeling like a bonafide woodworker. I connected with my neighbors, shared tips, even helped a few folks fix up their fences after those nasty storms that came through.

So, if you’re sitting there wondering whether you should dive into this whole woodworking gig, or maybe upgrade your old tools, my advice? Just go for it. You might mess up a few pieces of wood, curse a little, and even lose a few shavings to the wind, but that’s part of the journey. You learn, grow, and eventually, you find yourself building more than just furniture; you craft memories and connections, and heck, you might even surprise yourself along the way.

That’s the beauty of woodworking—the intrinsic lessons wrapped up in the process. Whether it’s the tools you choose or the mistakes you make, it’s all part of the story. So grab that coffee, roll up those sleeves, and get started. You won’t regret it.