Quick list
Woodworking machines are mostly stationary or semi-stationary tools used to cut, flatten, shape, drill and finish wood. Common examples for a home shop:
- Table saw
- Band saw
- Miter saw
- Scroll saw
- Jointer
- Thickness planer
- Router table or shaper
- Drill press
- Mortiser
- Wood lathe
- Belt, disc and spindle sanders
- Dust collector
Industrial shops add machines such as panel saws, CNC routers and edge banders, covered below.
Sawing machines
- Table saw. Rips boards to width, crosscuts with a sled or miter gauge, cuts bevels and makes dadoes. Often the center of a shop, and also the machine that demands the most respect. See power tool injuries and how to avoid them.
- Band saw. A continuous blade suited to curves and irregular shapes, and to resawing thick boards into thinner ones.
- Miter saw (compound or sliding). Quick, accurate crosscuts and angle cuts, popular for trim and framing.
- Radial arm saw. A saw on an overhead arm, used for crosscutting long stock. Less common in home shops today.
- Scroll saw. A thin blade for tight curves and fine detail such as fretwork.
Planing and jointing machines
- Jointer. Flattens one face and squares one edge of a board, creating a reference surface.
- Thickness planer. Brings a board to uniform thickness relative to its flat face. On its own it does not straighten a warped board, which is why it is usually paired with a jointer.
- Spindle moulder or shaper. Shapes edges and profiles, for example for cabinet doors and moldings. Larger and more powerful than a router.
Shaping and routing machines
- Router table. A router mounted under a table so the work moves past the bit. A versatile and relatively affordable way to shape edges and cut joints.
- CNC router. A computer-controlled machine for carving, cutting panels and repeatable work. It is more common in professional and advanced hobby shops.
Drilling and boring machines
- Drill press. Drills accurate, perpendicular holes with controlled depth. Bench and floor versions exist.
- Mortiser. Cuts square or rectangular mortises for traditional joinery.
Sanding machines
Belt sanders, disc sanders, oscillating spindle sanders and drum sanders speed up flattening and shaping. Sanding produces a lot of fine dust, so plan for dust collection.
Turning
A wood lathe spins the wood against a cutting tool to make round items such as bowls, table legs and spindles. It is a separate skill set from flat-work woodworking.
Industrial machines
Commercial cabinet and furniture plants use panel saws, edge banders, CNC machining centers, double miter saws and similar equipment. These are large and expensive and usually are not needed in a home shop. Many hobbyists use the portable power tools described in our beginner’s guide to power tools instead.
Which to buy first
There is no one correct order, since it depends on your projects, but a common path is:
- Portable tools first (drill/driver, circular saw, jigsaw, sander, router).
- A table saw or a good miter saw, depending on whether you rip or crosscut more.
- A drill press and band saw.
- A jointer and planer if you plan to buy rough lumber.
- Specialty machines such as a lathe, mortiser or shaper as needs arise.
Used machines can be good value, but check condition, parts availability and safety features.
Space, dust and safety
Stationary machines need floor space, stable footing, adequate lighting and often a dedicated electrical circuit, since many run on higher-draw motors. Check the machine’s electrical requirements and your supply before buying. Plan for dust collection, which affects both cleanliness and health, and use eye, hearing and respiratory protection. If you plan to power shop tools with compressed air, see the air tool consumption chart. For choosing motor power style, see corded vs cordless tools.
FAQ
What are common power tools used in woodwork? Drills, circular saws, jigsaws, routers, sanders and miter saws on the portable side, and table saws, band saws and drill presses on the stationary side.
What are the basic machine tools? Lists vary, but in the woodworking context the basics usually include saws, planers or jointers, drilling machines, lathes, shapers or routers, and sanders.
Who are the biggest woodworking companies? Rankings change and depend on whether you count tool makers, machinery makers or furniture makers, so check a current industry source.