Tools and Supplies Letter

Hi Friends,

Whether you’ve officially signed up for a class or are still considering, we are honored for the chance to host you, and have you in the Shop. Once here, you can expect and restful, and meaningful break from your normal routine.

Given the small class size, you will also experience a unique, personal “apprenticeship-style” environment in the workshop. And, since you’ll be working alongside new “classmates” who share your enthusiasm for the craft of woodworking, it ends up being a lot of fun!

Highlighted below are the Tool Lists for our upcoming classes. You will want to review that as soon as possible so you can prepare accordingly. In addition to the list, because I am often asked for suggestions and/or tips for bringing or buying good hand tools for our classes, I put together this letter to provide recommendations and things to think about with regard to that process.

Bring your own
I recommend you bring your own tools as you will be learning to sharpen, adjust, and use these tools and it is a good opportunity for you to gain experience and familiarity using them. During the class you will begin developing muscle-memory with your tools, making it easier to pick up where you left off and continue growing your skills when you are back home.

New or used
The tools you bring along do not have to be new. You may have tools that have been passed down in the family, some very good in great condition and some not so good in bad condition. During a few classes we include a session on tuning up and sharpening various tools, so if you bring decent quality tools that need a little cleaning up and adjustment, you will have that opportunity along the way. However, you will want to avoid bringing tools in rough shape that need a lot of work. This can lead to spending too much class time working on your tools and additional frustration if they don’t work well. If you bring a used tool such as a hand plane, the old Stanley/Bailey planes usually tune up well to good usability if there are no cracks, only light rust, and all the parts are still there.

Where to find them
You can do quite well finding good quality USED tools if you are willing to take the time to creatively shop around on Ebay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, antique tool dealers, yard sales, etc. Again, if fully intact, and only light rust, these tools can often be restored to excellent working condition with a little know-how and sweat equity.

When it comes to purchasing NEW tools however, like so many things, you will get what you pay for so choose with that in mind. The big box stores and hardware stores tend to carry tools on the list that are typically mid to lower grade, cheaply made, carpentry type tools, and are not of the quality to do finer work. Therefore, I advise you avoid buying your tools from those stores.

As you will see, I provide some links to tools I recommend, even so there are other retail and online sources available you might prefer. You may also have a local retailer option, such as a Rockler or Woodcraft in your area. (Local for us are Rockler of Salem, NH and Woodcraft of Portsmouth, NH). Of course location doesn’t matter if you are buying online, but it’s nice if you are able to actually pick up and feel the tools in your hands before making a decision.

The people who work in the stores can be a great resource to answer your questions, as I learned from experience at my local Woodcraft in Portsmouth. If you are able to shop there, be sure to mention you are taking a class at Epic Woodworking and you’ll receive a 10% discount off your purchase. You will need to show some form of proof you are taking the class, which would include your confirmation email from us about the class. Feel free to contact us if you have any issue.

Personal preferences
Between Rockler and Woodcraft, although either is good, I usually choose Woodcraft as I am most familiar with and prefer their selection. Therefore, for the sake of being more specific with the actual brands, I will limit my advice to the offerings found at Woodcraft as they relate generally to our class tool list.

Within each category price is a reflection of quality, as is true with most things. On the higher end you can’t go wrong with Lie Nielsen, made in Maine, USA, or the Veritas brand from Lee Valley, made in Canada. The finest tools are naturally pricey, but there are other options, and comparable results can be achieved with many mid-range tools. At Woodcraft, the Wood River brands of tools (made in China), for planes, chisels, handsaws, etc, are a solid mid-range, good value for a descent quality.

For the combination square, as I mention in my Top Ten Tools article (click here to read), it is important to be sure to get one of good quality…you have to know and trust it is truly square. The Starrett (see link below) or Pinnacle brands are nice quality squares.

A marking gauge should be of the “cutting” type which slices a clean knife line (not the round pointed pin type). Either the wheel marking gauge or the traditional wooden block style will be fine, and is a matter of preference. I use the traditional block style but like them both.

I prefer a round head type mallet as compared to the square head style, a mid-range weight is good, and being able to feel it in your hand can be helpful in deciding as well.

Tool lists
So scroll down to the title and date of the class for which you are registered to locate the tool list for your experience here. I have created links to some tools that I’m confident will work well, but remember, these are recommendations. There are certainly other good options at various price points available.

Again, we have a very limited supply of back-up reserve tools you can use if needed, of varying quality, but you may have to share these during the class which is less than ideal. In light of that, I hope you find these tips helpful as you wade into the wonderful world of acquiring the tools necessary for a solid start in the craft of fine woodworking. If there is anything more you need to know, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

See you the shop!
Tom

CLASSIC ROUND CHAIR   
September 8-12  or  September 29-October 3, 2025

• rule (flat steel), 6 or 12″
• tape measure
• chisels, ¼”, ½”, ¾” (or more) —> LINK or LINK 
• mallet
• block plane
• spokeshave
• draw knife (optional)
• cabinet or card scraper —> LINK
• combination square —> LINK
• marking knife —> LINK
• sliding bevel gauge
• smoothing file (8″ Swiss) —> LINK
• rasps —> LINK and LINK
  
• sanding block
• eye, ear and dust protection
• good pencil for marking
• pen for notes (a booklet is provided)
• shop apron (optional) NOTE: Epic Woodworking aprons available for purchase on site

EXQUISITE SETTEE   
July 21-25, 2025

• rule (flat steel), 6 or 12″
• tape measure
• chisels, ¼”, ½”, ¾” (or more) —> LINK or LINK 
  
• narrowest chisel you have, 1/16” if possible (A very narrow, grind-able screwdriver can work)
• carving gouges (#3 or 4 sweep), 1/8″ and 3/8″
• mallet
• block plane
  
• #4 bench plane
• spokeshave
• cabinet or card scraper—> LINK
• combination square—> LINK
• marking knife —> LINK
• utility knife
• smoothing file (8″ Swiss) —> LINK
• rasps —> LINK and LINK
  
• sanding block
• eye, ear and dust protection
• good pencil for marking
• pen for notes (a booklet is provided)
• shop apron (optional) NOTE: Epic Woodworking aprons available for purchase on site

CONTEMPORARY DINING CHAIR 
August 11-15  or  August 25-29, 2025 

• rule (flat steel), 6 or 12″
• tape measure
• chisels, ¼”, ½”, ¾” (or more) —> LINK or LINK 
• mallet
• hand plane, #5 and or #4
• block plane
• spokeshave
• cabinet or card scraper —> LINK
• combination square —> LINK
• marking knife —> LINK
• bevel square
• dovetail saw and/or back saw —>LINK or LINK
• file
• rasps —> LINK and LINK
• sanding block
• eye, ear and dust protection
• good pencil for marking
• pen for notes (a booklet is provided)
• shop apron (optional) NOTE: Epic Woodworking aprons available for purchase on site

JAPANESE TOOLBOX 
August 4-8, 2025 

Required:

• Ryoba Japanese Saw (double blade saw- rip and crosscut) – I recommend a 210 or 240mm Ryoba (An inexpensive replaceable blade saw is a good place to start. Gyokucho and Suizan brand.
• set of chisels – with at least 3/8, 1/2 and a wider 3/4-1″
• mallet or hammer
• straight edge or ruler
• dovetail or angle gauge
• 8-12″ square or sashigane
  sliding combination square or sliding gauge for laying out lines parallel to an edge.
• eye, ear and dust protection
• good pencil for marking
• pen for notes (a booklet is provided)

Suggested: (We’ll have a few to share)

• long paring chisel or router plan for paring the bottom of sliding dovetails.
• Dozuki Saw — a rip Dozuki is good for dovetails and cheeks of tenons. and a crosscut Dozuki is good for shoulders. The Ryoba saw can be used for these cuts, but these saws will leave a finer cut especially in thin material.
• smoothing plane for a hand plane finish
• sliding dovetail plane for tapering cleats
• shop apron (optional) NOTE: Epic Woodworking aprons available for purchase on site

KUMIKO PANEL WALL CABINET   
November 10-14, 2025

• tape measure
• 12″ rule is nice to have
• square (preferably a 12″ combination square)
• bench plane (#4 or #5)
• block plane
• rectangular .8mm card scraper (we will cover honing a scraper in class)
• marking gauge
• marking knife
• set of bench chisels (1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 is ideal)
• mallet
• wide (1 to 1-1/2 in.) very sharp chisel to bevel ends of kumiko parts
• dovetail saw
• coping saw with medium blades or fret saw with
• coarse blades
• phillips screwdriver
• shoulder plane (optional)
• japanese pull saw or fine crosscut saw
• eye, ear, and dust protection 
• good pencil for marking
• pen for notes (a booklet is provided)
• shop apron (optional) NOTE: Epic Woodworking aprons available for purchase on site

SHAKER END TABLE WITH DRAWER   
June 23-27  or  July 7-11, 2025

• rule or tape measure 
• chisels, ¼”, ½”, ¾” —> LINK or LINK 
• mallet
• hand plane, #4 or #5 
• block plane 
• cabinet or card scraper —> LINK
• marking knife —> LINK
• marking gauge (cutting type vs round pin type)
• combination square —> LINK
• dovetail gauge or marker (optional) —> LINK
• dovetail saw and/or back saw —> LINK or LINK
• sanding block 
• eye, ear, and dust protection 
• good pencil for marking
• pen for notes (a booklet is provided)
• shop apron (optional) NOTE: Epic Woodworking aprons available for purchase on site