Are you good with your hands? Do you love the idea of creating your own unique piece of furniture? Do you savor the smell of freshly cut wood? If so, a woodworking project may be the perfect project for you. From ancient times to the world we live in today, woodworking has played an important part in the advancement of civilization.

While much has stayed the same in the world of woodworking, there have been changes, as well. Technological advances—namely power tools—changed the way many people worked with wood. Tasks that sometimes took days could now be completed much faster. Items, such as band saws and powered lathes, contributed to the reduced timeline in the completion of wood creations.

Woodworking is a great way to tap into your creativity to produce a functional work of art that can be enjoyed for years to come. Maybe you even want to start woodworking to pull in some extra cash on the side. Whatever your reason, there are a variety of benefits. Many even find the work to be therapeutic.

There's something magical about taking a few pieces of wood and turning them into a chair, a bookcase, or a table. Of course, there's a little more to it than a few pieces of wood. You will need plans, a workbench, and some tools. The tools created to help shape and mold these beautiful projects are an essential part to any woodworking project. Aside from a workbench, acquiring the basic tools listed below will help to get you started in the right direction.

Tape Measure. One of the most basic of woodworking tools is the tape measure. It's also absolutely necessary to include one in your woodworking arsenal. Precise measurements are a must in your woodworking project, and a tape measure is your best friend.

Chisels. It's worth unlocking the wallet here. A good set of chisels will last you a lifetime and there'll be some use for them on practically every project. Treat yourself to a solid set of starter bench chisels and build your collection out from there.

Wooden Mallet. A wooden mallet is an inexpensive tool and serves multiple purposes in woodworking. It can be used to secure two pieces of wood together; to drive dowels into wood; or in combination with your chisels. Unlike the metal hammer, a wooden mallet will not mark, dent, or damage your wood project.

Combination square. A combination square is a multi-purpose measuring tool. It is most commonly used to measure and check 45- and 90-degree angles. The blade can also be used as a ruler, and the handle can be used as a level.

Marking knife. You are probably more familiar with using a pencil to mark cut lines in wood, although a pencil is not as precise as a marking knife. The marking knife enables you to create fine lines in wood that will serve as a great guide for cutting.

Circular Saw. A circular saw uses circular blades to easily, and effortlessly cut through a variety of different woods. The many blade options also allow for different types of cuts. There are even blades that sand the wood as it's cut, eliminating the need to finish off the wood with sandpaper.

Sandpaper. Sandpaper comes in many different grits from ultra-fine to extra coarse. Having a variety of grits on hand will be useful during projects. Sandpaper is inexpensive and often sold in variety packs.

Jigsaw. A jigsaw is used to cut curves and shapes into wood. It can also be angled up to cut beveled edges. They are fairly easy to use, even for a beginner.

Many of these tools can be found at your local hardware store. You can also find them at big box, though you may end up paying more for some items. If cost is a concern, shop around. Do some research online to compare prices at multiple retailers. You may even find better deals from online stores; though, you'll want to keep shipping costs in mind. Once you get a handle on using the basic tools mentioned above, you may want to continue to add to your woodworking toolbox.