10 Woodworking Upgrades That Will Transform Your Shop (and Save You Time and Money)

If you’ve been woodworking for any amount of time, you know how much the right upgrades can change everything — smoother cuts, cleaner finishes, safer work, and way less frustration.

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my shop over the years, but these 10 woodworking upgrades completely transformed how I work. Whether you’re a beginner trying to get more accurate cuts or just tired of wasting time fixing bad results, these upgrades will make your shop run smoother than ever.

🎥 Watch the full video here: I Found 10 Upgrades So Good They Should Be Illegal!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them—at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the tool reviews coming, so thanks for your support! Prices valid at time of posting but are subject to change at anytime.

🔧 Quick Links to Every Tool Mentioned

(Click to shop or learn more)

Sanding Upgrades

• DEWALT Sander

• 3M Cubitron Sandpaper

• Diablo Sandpaper

• Sandpaper Organizer

Saw Blades

• CMT Orange Chrome 3 Pack

• CMT Orange Chrome 40 Tooth Blade

• CMT Orange Chrome 24 Tooth Ripping Blade

• CMT Orange Chrome 80 Tooth Crosscut Blade

• CMT Miter Saw Blade

• Diablo Table Saw Blade

• Diablo Miter Saw Blade

Measuring & Marking

• DFM Small Carpenter Square

• iGaging Bench Square Set

• Machinist Squares

• WEN Rulers

• WEN T-Marking Ruler

• Fastcap Tape Measure

Router Bits

• Whiteside 4pc Router Bit Set

• Bosch 6pc Router Bit Set

Dust Collection

• Dust Hose Adapter Kit

• Milwaukee Dust Extractor

• Hercules Dust Extractor

• Festool Dust Extractor

• Dust Collector

• Dust Separator (for use with shop vacs)

• RZ Mask

Table Saw Upgrades

• Zero Clearance Table Saw Plate on Etsy

• MicroJig GRR-Ripper

• Bow Xtender Fence Kit

• JessEm Stock Guides

• Vevor Miter Gauge

• WEN Miter Gauge

Miter Saw Upgrades

• Zero Clearance Tape for Miter Saws

Workbench & Clamping

• Workbench Casters

• MicroJig Matchfit Grid Router Guide (Amazon)

• Matchfit Grid Router Guide (MicroJig)

• Shop All Matchfit Products

• Rockler Bench Cookies

• Bench Nuts

Shop Organization

• Lumber Storage Racks

• RYOBI Link Storage

• OmniWall Storage

• Milwaukee PACKOUT Storage

Plywood Cutting Upgrades

• Swanson Straight Edge

• Kreg Rip Cut

• Milwaukee M18 Track Saw

• Makita Corded Track Saw

• Festool Track Saw

• Makita 40v Track Saw

• Makita Track Saw

• TSO Parallel Guides

• TSO Guide Rail Square

More Resources

• Woodworking Tool Buyer’s Guide

🪵 1. Upgrade Your Sanding Setup

I learned this one the hard way. Cheap sandpaper and bargain-bin sanders just don’t hold up.

Once I switched to 3M Cubitron Sandpaper, I immediately noticed a better finish and far less clogging. That Cubitron grit technology cuts cleaner, lasts longer, and prevents swirl marks.

If you’re on a budget, Diablo Sandpaper is also solid.

Pair your sandpaper with a durable DEWALT Sander — it’s the best one under $100 in my opinion.

👉 Pro Tip: Store your discs neatly in a Sandpaper Organizer to keep grits separated and dust-free.

⚙️ 2. Upgrade Your Saw Blades

This should honestly be a shirt: “Upgrade Your Blade.”

A quality blade completely changes your cuts — cleaner edges, smoother feed, and more accurate results.

• For most jobs: CMT Orange Chrome 40-Tooth Blade

• For plywood and veneer: CMT 80-Tooth Blade

• For ripping lumber: CMT 24-Tooth Blade

If you’re cutting on a budget, Diablo Blades still give great performance for the money.

Bottom line: a $70 blade can make your $500 saw cut like a $1,000 saw.

📏 3. Upgrade Your Measuring and Marking Tools

Few things are more frustrating than an inaccurate square.

I rely on these every single day:

• DFM Small Carpenter Square – Made in the USA, perfect for layouts.

• iGaging Bench Square Set – Built-in scales for setting blade and bit heights.

• FastCap Lefty/Righty Tape Measure – Perfect for beginners learning to read measurements.

Even affordable Machinist Squares or WEN Rulers will dramatically improve your accuracy.

🪚 4. Upgrade Your Router Bits

Don’t fall for those giant cheap bit kits — you’ll never use half of them.

Instead, grab a Whiteside 4-Piece Router Bit Set (made in the USA) with the four most used profiles. If you want a few more, the Bosch 6-Piece Set is another good choice.

Sharp, high-quality bits mean cleaner edges and less burning.

🌬️ 5. Upgrade Your Dust Collection

Dust is more than a mess — it’s a health risk.

If you can, step up to a proper dust extractor:

• Milwaukee Dust Extractor – Corded or cordless flexibility.

• Hercules Extractor – Great budget pick.

• Festool Extractor – Premium performance.

To connect your tools easily, grab this Dust Hose Adapter Kit.

And if you have no collection system yet, at least wear an RZ Mask — your lungs will thank you.

👉 Bonus: Better dust collection actually gives smoother finishes by keeping debris off your work surface.

🧱 6. Upgrade Your Table Saw for Safer, Cleaner Cuts

Your table saw deserves more than the stock parts it came with.

• Zero-Clearance Insert: Find one on Etsy or your saw’s OEM option for cleaner cuts and less tear-out.

• Push Block: The MicroJig GRR-Ripper adds safety and precision.

• Fence Extensions: The Bow Xtender Fence Kit gives better support and reduces kickback.

• Stock Guides: The JessEm Stock Guides help your cuts stay tight to the fence.

• Miter Gauge: Upgrade to a Vevor Miter Gauge or WEN Miter Gauge for accurate angles under $100.

All of these make your cuts safer, smoother, and way more accurate.

🪚 7. Upgrade Your Miter Saw Accuracy

For cleaner cuts, apply FastCap Zero-Clearance Tape to your saw’s base. It’s cheap, works on any saw, and reduces tear-out.

And remember — a sharp, high-tooth-count blade like an 80-Tooth CMT or Diablo Miter Saw Blade will take your results from “good enough” to pro-level.

🔩 8. Upgrade Your Workbench and Clamping Setup

A good bench makes all the difference.

• MicroJig Matchfit Grid Guide adds infinite clamping options.

• Rockler Bench Cookies and Bench Nuts keep your work stable during sanding or routing.

• Add Workbench Casters to make it mobile.

Simple upgrades that make every project easier and safer.

🏗️ 9. Upgrade Your Shop Organization

An organized shop saves hours of frustration.

I use:

• Bora Lumber Racks – Keep boards off the floor and straight.

• RYOBI Link Storage – Great for modular storage.

• Milwaukee PACKOUT or OmniWall – For tools and accessories.

Even a simple French cleat system can do wonders for workflow and peace of mind.

📐 10. Upgrade Your Plywood Cutting Accuracy

Want perfect panels every time? You’ve got options:

• Swanson Straight Edge – Budget pick for straight, clean cuts.

• Kreg Rip Cut – Great for shelves up to 24".

• Makita Track Saw or Milwaukee M18 Track Saw – Game-changers for sheet goods.

• Add precision with the TSO Guide Rail Square and TSO Parallel Guides for repeatable, dead-accurate cuts.

Cut faster, safer, and cleaner — without a table saw.

💪 Final Thoughts

These are the upgrades that completely changed my shop — not gimmicks, just solid improvements that make woodworking safer, smoother, and more enjoyable.

If you found this helpful, check out my full Woodworking Tool Buyer’s Guide for even more gear I personally use and recommend.

👉 Want daily tool deals? Sign up for my free email list here: 731woodworks.com/tool-deals

👉 Want to grow your woodworking business? Join my coaching community on Skool and learn how to sell more of what you build: Join Here

Stay safe in the shop, keep making sawdust, and I’ll see you in the next post!