15 Tools Under $50 That Are Actually Worth Buying
Most of the biggest upgrades I have made to my shop cost less than $50. A few cost less than $20. This is a list of 15 tools that have all earned a permanent spot in the shop, and most of them are ones most people walk right past.
The list runs from a 48-inch level that can replace a $600 jointer all the way to the MicroJig GRR-Ripper, which just dropped in price and added new features at the same time. There are picks for measuring and layout, dust collection, clamps, chisels, utility knives, and a few things that are hard to explain until you have one in the shop. Every tool is linked below with current pricing.
15 Woodworking Tools Under $50 Worth Buying Right Now
1. 48-Inch Level for Woodworking
Most woodworkers do not use a 48-inch level to level things, and that is exactly the point. In the shop it works as a dead-straight edge for marking lines, a saw guide when clamped to plywood, and most importantly a jointer replacement at the table saw. A $20 level doing the job of a $600 jointer is one of the best trade-offs you can make in a budget shop.
The technique is simple. Set the level flat on the table saw surface, press your board against it, and run both through the blade together. The level becomes the reference surface instead of the bowed or twisted edge of the board, which is what trips people up when they just use the fence. Works best on boards up to about 3.5 feet, and the results are clean enough that you would not know a jointer was never involved.
I have built a lot of tabletops using this method and gotten dead flat joints every time. For around $20 to $30, this is one of the highest value tools on the entire list.
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2. Zero Clearance Tape for Miter Saw
This FastCap zero clearance tape is one of the most popular products ever shown on the channel, and it has been that way for years because it actually works. You tape it down to your miter saw fence, make one cut through it, and now you have a zero clearance surface that supports the wood fibers right at the blade. The result is cleaner cuts with no tear out on the bottom face of the board.
It comes in a pack of five for under $10, which makes it practically disposable. If you make a bevel cut that removes a large section of the tape, just peel that piece off and lay down a new one. A lot of people worry it will affect cut accuracy. It is not thick enough to cause that problem in the vast majority of cases.
I have been using this stuff for years and it is one of those tools that once you try it, you stop cutting without it. FastCap makes some of the best small accessories in the woodworking world, and this is their simplest and most useful one.
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3. Setup Bars for Router and Table Saw
Setup bars go from 1/8 inch all the way up to 3/4 inch and are used to dial in exact depths and distances on your tools. The most common use is setting a router bit to a precise depth. If you need a 3/8-inch depth on a dovetail bit, you set the bar, lower the bit until it sits flush, and you are done. No measuring, no guessing, no test cuts wasted.
These are half the price of the Kreg version and work exactly the same way. The small nub on the end lets you set fence distances, and the nub on top is used to check hole depths. They are useful across a wide range of setups and take almost no space to store.
Powertec is the version currently in stock. WEN has been selling out regularly, which tells you how popular these have gotten. Both are linked below so you can grab whichever one is available.
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See WEN Setup Blocks on Amazon Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
4. FastCap Lefty Righty Tape Measure
This is one of the most viral tools ever shown on the channel, and the sales numbers back that up. The Lefty Righty reads correctly no matter which direction you look at it, left or right, so you are never holding it at an awkward angle trying to make sense of the numbers. It also has marked fraction increments printed right on the blade, so you can read and mark 3/8 inch without having to count the tick marks.
It has a rubberized body that holds up in a shop environment, a built-in pencil sharpener, and the face of the tape accepts pencil marks so you can write your measurements directly on it. The belt clip is solid and stays put. These are available in 16-foot and 25-foot versions depending on your preference.
Even after years of measuring, having those fractions printed out is genuinely useful. It removes a small source of error that adds up over time, and it is the kind of tool you hand to a beginner and they immediately understand why it exists.
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5. FastCap Flatback Tape Measure
The Flatback is a different tool than the Lefty Righty and worth having both. The blade is completely flat with no curve or runout, so when you lay it on a piece of lumber it sits flush against the surface. That contact is what gives you a more accurate mark, especially when you are measuring directly on the stock.
One side has inches with the graduated fraction markings, and the other side has metric for anyone who works in millimeters. There is also a version with inches only if that is your preference. The same rubberized body and pencil sharpener from the Lefty Righty carry over here.
If you do a lot of direct marking on lumber rather than transferring measurements, this is the tape that makes that process more reliable. It is a simple idea and it works exactly as described.
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6. WEN Layout Tools for Woodworking
WEN hand tools are ones that most people walk right past at the store, and that is a mistake. The T-rulers and standard rulers are the standouts. They tested dead accurate against Woodpeckers tools, which cost several times the price. The beveled edge is the key feature here because it gets the measuring surface down close to the wood, reducing parallax and giving you a mark that is right where you need it.
The pencil holes along the ruler let you draw parallel lines at consistent distances without reaching for a separate marking gauge. For anyone doing joinery or laying out dadoes and rabbets, that is genuinely useful. I compared these directly to Woodpeckers in a previous video and the accuracy held up completely.
WEN also makes clamping squares that are worth picking up at the same time. For the price of the full set, you are getting accurate layout tools that will cover most of what you need in the shop without spending Woodpeckers money.
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See WEN Ruler at Home Depot Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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7. Double Stick Tape for Template Routing
Double stick tape is one of those tools that most people buy once, get a bad version, and never think about again. The bad versions leave a gummy residue on your workpiece or do not hold firmly enough to be trusted. This one from Xfen does neither. It holds a template down firmly while you route or cut, and when you are done it releases clean without leaving a mess behind.
The primary use in the shop is holding a template to a blank for template routing. You press the template down, make your cut or routing pass, and then peel the two apart without creating extra cleanup work. It also works for holding two boards together temporarily while you cut them as a matched pair.
After testing several different brands, this is the one that stayed in the shop. It is well priced and works consistently, which is all double stick tape needs to do.
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8. Bench Nuts Work Supports
Bench Nuts were one of the most talked-about woodworking accessories of 2025, and they earned it. They are high-density foam work supports that hold your stock up off the workbench surface while you cut, route, or sand. The bottom grips the bench and the top grips the workpiece, so nothing slides around mid-operation. They come in an eight-pack with their own storage container so they do not get lost in the shop.
The main use is similar to bench cookies, giving you clearance under the workpiece so a track saw or router bit can pass through completely without hitting the bench. They hold up under real weight. At 205 pounds standing directly on them, they did not collapse, which is a practical confirmation that they can handle the downward pressure of routing and sanding.
They are especially useful when sanding smaller parts or long boards where you want even support across the whole surface. For the price of an eight-pack, these are a practical addition to any shop that does flat work.
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9. Utility Knives for the Shop
Three utility knife picks depending on what you need most. The Milwaukee Fastback is the daily driver. It flips open one-handed, closes securely, has a built-in Phillips and flathead screwdriver that locks in place, and includes a bottle opener for when that becomes relevant. The locking mechanism means the blade will not fold mid-cut, which matters more than it sounds.
The Klein Utility Knife adds a few features the Milwaukee does not have. It locks the blade at an angle for box cutting, includes a wire stripper, and has a locking screwdriver function. If you do any electrical work alongside your woodworking, this one covers more ground. The Klein Scraper/Knife version adds a full scraper on the back end plus onboard blade storage for carrying a spare, making it the most versatile of the three.
All three are well under $50 and the choice really comes down to which functions you use most. Orange is Milwaukee. Red is Klein. Both brands make a reliable product that holds up in daily shop use.
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See Klein Utility Knife at Lowe's Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
See Klein Scraper/Knife at Lowe's Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
10. RYOBI 18V Cordless Inflator
This one is not a woodworking tool in the traditional sense, but if you have an 18V Ryobi battery platform, it earns its spot on the list. The inflator connects to any 18V Ryobi battery, you set your target pressure, and it runs until it hits that number and shuts off automatically. No standing over it watching the gauge. Set it and walk away.
The practical application is tire pressure. As temperatures drop, tires lose air. Having a cordless inflator in the shop means handling that without leaving the property or hunting for an air hose. Truck tires at 42 PSI, smaller SUV tires at 35 PSI, it handles both without any issue. It has already been used several times since picking it up at the end of 2025.
For Ryobi battery platform users, this is a low cost addition that gets used more than you would expect. The auto-shutoff is the feature that makes it genuinely practical rather than just convenient.
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11. Dust Hose Adapter Kit for Shop Vac
The standard shop vac hose is too large to connect to most power tool dust ports. Sanders, routers, and track saws all have smaller ports that need an adapter, and without one you are just blowing dust around rather than collecting it. This kit solves that. It includes a hose sized for tool ports along with adapters that fit into the shop vac inlet, so you can essentially use your shop vac the way a dedicated dust extractor works.
It comes in right under $50, which is a fraction of what a dedicated dust extractor costs. The adapters are included for the most common tool connections, so you are not hunting for compatible fittings separately. The hose also works as a replacement for the standard shop vac hose if you prefer it.
For anyone doing routed work, orbital sanding, or track saw cuts indoors, the difference in dust control is significant. This is the kind of purchase that makes the shop more functional and easier to clean at the same time.
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12. IRWIN Forstner Bits for Woodworking
Forstner bits drill flat-bottom holes with clean sides, which is something a standard twist bit cannot do. The flat bottom is useful for any application where you need a defined depth without a pointed center divot, and the clean walls mean you can place holes close to an edge without the tearout you get from a spade bit. These are in the shop and have been for several years without any complaints.
The main use case from real shop work is hogging out material for handle cutouts, like the elongated oval handles on stove covers. You drill overlapping Forstner holes to remove the bulk of the material and then clean up the edges with a chisel or router. They also work for hinge mortises, plug holes, and any place you need a clean cylindrical pocket.
The 8-piece set comes in under $50 and is the right starting point for most woodworkers. The 14-piece set runs slightly over but gives you more size options if your work calls for it. Both sets are linked, and either choice is a good one.
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13. DEWALT Chisel Set
Budget chisels have a bad reputation because most early budget chisels were genuinely bad. These DeWalt chisels are not those. The handles are solid, the feel in the hand is good, and they come sharp enough out of the box to do real work right away. For woodworkers who have been avoiding budget chisels because of a bad first experience, these are worth a second look.
After sharpening these with the G-Sharp sharpening jig, the edge quality is excellent. The G-Sharp takes all the complexity out of chisel sharpening. A beginner who has never sharpened a chisel before can get a razor edge on their first attempt. It runs around $80 to $90, which puts it above the $50 limit for this list, but it is worth mentioning because a sharp chisel and a dull one are practically different tools.
Every woodworker needs at least one set of chisels. You will reach for them to trim a tenon, clean out a mortise, or pare down a joint that is just a hair too tight. The DEWALT set covers those needs at a price that makes sense for a shop at any level.
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14. Woodworking Clamps Under $50
Two clamp picks here for different uses. Bessey is one of the most respected clamp brands on the market, and a four-pack of their F-style clamps comes in under $50. These are built to last a lifetime. If you have used Bessey clamps before, you already know what you are getting. If you have not, these are a good introduction to what a well-made clamp feels like compared to a budget import.
The IRWIN Quick Clamps are a different category. These are one-handed trigger clamps with a quick-release lever that lets you open them instantly. They are the grab-and-clamp tool you reach for when you need to hold something in place fast without fumbling with a screw mechanism. A four-pack of these is also well under $50.
Both have been in the shop for years without any issues. The Bessey clamps are the workhorses for glue-ups and edge clamping. The IRWIN Quick Clamps are the ones that come out on everything else. Having both covers almost every clamping situation you will run into.
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Also Worth Mentioning: Thin Rip Jig for Table Saw
The thin rip jig sits in the miter slot on your table saw and gives you repeatable thin rip cuts at any consistent width. You set it once and every subsequent cut comes out the same thickness. It is the right tool when you need thin strips for trim work, edging, or accent pieces on a project.
The most common use in this shop has been ripping thin walnut strips for trim on shop furniture. The miter station edging, the router table face frame, any place where a thin consistent strip adds a finished look. For around $25, this jig has paid for itself many times over in material savings from getting the cut right the first time.
This is one of the most viral tools ever shown on the channel, and it has sold by the thousands for good reason. If you work at a table saw and have never tried a thin rip jig, this is an inexpensive way to find out what you have been missing.
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15. MicroJig GRR-Ripper Table Saw Push Block
The MicroJig GRR-Ripper has been around for 25 years and is one of the most recognized accessories in woodworking. The new version just came down in price to $49 and added a cut window feature that lets you see exactly where the drop-down leg contacts the stock without eyeballing it from above. That is a meaningful improvement for precision rip cuts where leg placement affects the result.
The grippy base applies downward and lateral pressure on the workpiece as you push it through the blade, which is the core function any push block needs to do well. The drop-down leg handles thicker rip cuts by keeping the block balanced even when the stock drops away on one side. These features together make it the safest and most controlled way to push narrow stock through a table saw.
When you first see the GRR-Ripper, it is easy to wonder if you really need it. Once you use it, that question goes away. There are also upgraded versions including the Gripper Pro with additional attachments, but for most woodworkers the standard version at $49 is the right starting point. The 25th Anniversary Edition is a limited run if you want something special to mark the occasion.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a level as a jointer replacement?
Yes. A 48-inch level clamped against a board and run through a table saw acts as a dead-flat reference surface for edge jointing. This works well on boards up to about 3.5 feet and can replace the core function of a dedicated jointer that costs $500 or more. The key is that the level becomes the reference instead of the bowed edge of the board.
What is zero clearance tape used for?
Zero clearance tape is a thick vinyl tape that sticks to the fence of a miter saw. You make one cut through it to create a zero clearance surface, which supports the wood fibers right at the cut line and prevents tear out on the bottom of the board. It is easy to peel off and replace after bevel cuts that remove a section of it.
What are setup bars used for in woodworking?
Setup bars are precision-machined metal bars in standard fractional sizes from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch. You use them to set router bit depths to an exact measurement, dial in fence distances, and check the depth of drilled holes. They are a less expensive alternative to the Kreg version and work the same way.
What is the MicroJig GRR-Ripper used for?
The MicroJig GRR-Ripper is a table saw push block designed to keep your hands safely away from the blade while maintaining downward and lateral pressure on the stock. It has a grippy base, a drop-down leg for thicker rip cuts, and the new version includes a cut window so you can see exactly where the leg contacts the wood without guessing.
Do I need a jointer for woodworking?
Not necessarily. A jointer is useful for flattening faces and squaring edges, but a 48-inch level and a table saw can replace the edge jointing function for boards up to about 3.5 feet. Many woodworkers run successful shops without a dedicated jointer by using this table saw method with a level as the reference surface.
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