We tested more than 225 tools and surveyed 6,000 independent tool users to write the first-ever Taunton's 2004 Tool Guide. Routers, sanders, tablesaws, cordless drills... all your favorite tools are here. Plus tool-buying tips, editors' picks for the Best Overall and the Best Value, and Readers' Choice awards.

Letter to the Editor

Tools and Materials

14-in. Bandsaws
Power and convenience come at a price

Biscuit Joiners
A wide range of brands offer choices to woodworkers

Selecting a Circular Saw
In a field of powerful saws, comfort, control and convenience become the determining factors

Corded vs. Cordless
New cordless tools may be convenient, but do they go the distance?

18-Volt Cordless Drills: Power and Comfort
You might be surprised by which tool drove the most screws on one charge

Cordless Reciprocating Saws
A great option on a roof or in a crawl space

Drill Presses
Nine floor models that sell for $419 or less offer good options for the home shop

Choose the Right Drill Bit for the Job
Comparing what major bits do and how they do it

Not by Machine Alone
Power tools may be fast and efficient, but a basic inventory of hand tools is essential

Hammers and Mallets
Woodworkers and builders coalesce around the bluntest of tools

On the Level
Laser, electronic, and traditional spirit levels offer a variety of features

Three Essential Planes
Basic tools for hand woodworking

Low-Angle Block Planes
These tools excel at cutting softwoods or making end-grain and cross-grain cuts on hardwoods

Rules for Woodworkers
A survey of tools for making precise measurements

The Cutting Edge
A comparison of sharpening systems

Jointer vs. Planer: Which Do You Need?
Probably both, and here's why

6-in. Jointers
A look at 10 choices of a starter-level machine that is essential for a well-equipped shop

Benchtop Planers
These small portable machines offer good value and performance

Choose the Right Lathe
Essential tips for selecting a lathe that fits your shop and your needs

Midi-lathes
Space-saving machines that don't break the bank

Miter Saws Cover all the Angles
From thin trim to wide siding, there's a chopsaw to make the cut

Air Power
Pneumatic tools offer increased speed and efficiency with less heavy lifting

Buying Your Shop's First Compressor
The way you work and the tools you use determine your air-supply needs

Choosing a Framing Nailer
A review of 17 models popular with builders and remodelers

Finding a Router That Makes the Cut
Choose a router with the right features from an array on the market

Midsize Plunge Routers
A hands-on review of six routers in the 2-hp class

Router Lifts
Different approaches to making the router table convenient

Safety Gear
A good mindset and the right equipment are your best defenses against accidents

Clearing the Dust on Sanders
These shop workhorses handle jobs from large tabletops to inside corners

Step Up to a Shaper
Shapers begin where routers leave off

Shop Vacuums
Thoughtful engineering eases dust cleanup

Which Tablesaw Is Right for You?
Four styles of saws vary in price, power, and portability

Cabinet Saws
A close look at 11 heavy-duty tablesaws bound for the workshop

Rip Fences and Miter Gauges
A survey of aftermarket accessories

10-in. Combination Tablesaw Blades
Our high-tech test of 13 new blades revealed the smoothest cutters

Manufacturers and Suppliers

Editors at Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking frequently field questions about tools -- from readers, on our Web sites, at family reunions, and on the neighbor's front porch:

"I've got to buy a drill, which one do you recommend?"

"What do you look for when you're buying a tablesaw?"

"Do cordless circular saws pack enough power?"

We've learned that the answers to those questions aren't as straightforward as they first seem. The tools you need depend on numerous factors: the kind of work you do, the number of times you do it, and the amount you're willing to spend. The tool reviews in this guide take all of these elements into account, recommending the right tool for the kind of work you may do.

In our first annual Tool Guide, the editors of Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking have put together a useful package of information to help every tool buyer -- whether you're a professional builder or furniture maker, a homeowner active in do-it-yourself work, or a weekend woodworker.

The articles and hands-on reviews in this guide give no-holds-barred opinions on which tools we prefer and why. We've culled articles to include the tools you ask about most and have updated reviews to include the latest products on the market. We've hired reviewers who are among the best in their field -- they know the tools because they rely on them every day. With their help, we have devised real-world tests to judge how the tools hold up. We've also surveyed more than 6,000 tool users and asked them to rate the tools they own and use.

This first edition is just the beginning. To make future guides even more useful and thorough, we need your feedback. Please feel free to drop us a note at thetoolguide@taunton.com and let us know how we can improve.

With this guide, we hope that by helping you make the right tool choices, we'll make the time you spend in your shop, on job sites, or working on sawhorses in the backyard all that much more pleasurable.

Matthew Teague
Tool Guide editor