FROM ROB'S BENCH
Tools or finished projects? What’s more important?
Rob Brown
Blog for October 16, 2025
There are surely dozens of different types of woodworkers and DIYers out there, but I sometimes simplify things by putting them into one of two different categories.
In the first category are the woodworkers and DIYers focused on the end product. Did they complete a project? If so, they check it off their list and move onto the next project. How it got done isn’t important, as long as it’s done well enough to look decent and stand at least the basic test of time.
Then there are the woodworkers and DIYers out there who mainly focus on building their tool collection, as well as organizing and refining their workshops so they’re efficient spaces. Their end game isn’t completing a project but rather outfitting their shop with everything that might be needed. Or, if you think about it another way, their shop is their project.
I'm not knocking it
I’m unquestionably in the first category, but I’m not knocking anyone who would put themselves in the second category. After all, tools equal potential, and being ready for whatever task or project comes your way is a great position to be in. I’m also one of the minority of woodworkers who makes their living from delivering finished projects, so the fact that I’m in the first camp is imperative to my survival. I’ve yet to meet a client who just simply wants to look at my well-equipped shop, though I’d happily charge a very reasonable fee to whomever did.
Other categories
We don’t have to put all woodworkers and DIYers into rigid categories, but if we did, what would the other categories be? We’d have to start with a newbie group that really doesn’t have many tools at all, and might only have the very corner of a basement to store them in, but are super keen.
Another category would be those who were originally in the second category, but have become almost tired of being perpetually ready for a new task to come along and have picked up another hobby. I’m guessing members of this group revert back to their original Group 2 status from time to time, whenever someone needs a nail driven, a hook installed or a screw sunk.
Yet another category would include people who have only a few tools, and virtually no shop at all, but still manage to build some pretty incredibly things. They’re always able to solve a problem with the simplest tools and incredible amounts of ingenuity.
It’s great to see folks in all of these categories. As long as they consider themselves at least a little bit of a woodworker or DIYer and enjoy getting into the shop, I’m happy to have them on my side.
I’m sure I missed some other categories. Let me know in the comments section if you feel your category was left out. Also, let me know if you’re hoping to move out of your category one day, for one of many potential reasons.
Back in the Day
Me, working on a coffee table base for a client. Not sure where my apron is, as I'm almost never without it in the shop. I'm also not sure why I thought a baby blue sweater was the right choice for the shop.
Tools.
I had someone walk up to me at a woodworking promotional event to ask if I could go to his shop sometime and help him build something. It wound up that A/ he had never built anything in his life and had no idea what he would make, and B/ he had a better equipped shop than I have (and I’m a professional) with every Festool tool imaginable, many still in their boxes. Lee Valley banks on him to make their nut each month.
I myself fall somewhere in the middle as my shop has a few large tools I purchased for projects I have yet to get around to. My shop is rather small so I can only do one project at a time and invariably something comes up just as I am about to engage a cherished idea.
Hi Rob Very much enjoy your column.
I like Thom Thom, can not move the larger pieces around like I use to. I think I qualify for several of the categories.
I have many completed projects in the books with many dreams and want-to-do ideas still left. Mostly sketched out on the back of an envelope not to scale.
I do have some tools that are still waiting to be employed for the first time.
I derive a lot of satisfaction to solving a problem with wood.
What about the jig builders group. When I am faced with a project with a lot of repetitive tasks or a complex task (e.g some outside gates with a curved top) I usually start to think of a jig to do the task (existing or I need to build a new one). Like any woodworking project, it usually involves problem solving. It’s very satisfying to come up with a means of easily accomplishing the task even if the time to build the jig is the same as building the item. There is always “next time I have to do that I am already”.
I am going to be 90 soon and I can’t swing around a 4×8 sheet of plywood anymore, so I take up building things for kids. No charge just a smile will do for pay. You look good in blue Rob.