Wine Bar with Wine Cooler Cabinet
Tools List
(I recommend one tool from each category to complete this project, unless otherwise specified)
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Table Saw (and miter gauge)
Almost any table saw will work well for this project. As long as it supports a dado blade stack and can cut at a 45 degree angle, it will work! I recommend one of the two saws below, as I’ve used each of them before and found them both to work quite well. The 10” Ridgid Table Saw below is my saw of choice today, and I love the size of the cast iron top and the consistency of the rip fence.
Table Saw Dado Blades
Dado saw blades are not 100% essential for this project, but they do make several of the cuts much easier. The blades below are the most affordable set I’ve found, and they still have great performance. I’ve been using my set for almost 5 years now and I’ve had no issues with them at all. With the different thicknesses of blades, and the included shims that come with the set, you can dial in the thickness of the blade to perfectly match any of your needs.
Circular Saw/Track Saw
A circular saw is optional for this project, as all the cuts can be done on the table saw (with a miter gauge) or on a miter saw as well if you have one. But, a circular saw can be used for several of the cuts, and may help you to avoid changing table saw settings and blades too often. If you’re interested in investing in a circular saw, I would recommend one of the two below. I use Makita tools in my shop each day, and highly recommend them. If you’re on a tighter budget, the craftsman circular saw below is also a good option that will work great for this project and many more in the future.
Drill/Impact Driver
A good drill and impact driver set are an essential for a fully equipped shop. While most of the joints for this project simply require glue and some nails, a drill and impact driver are needed for several of the steps, such as attaching the countertop to the cabinet base. Both Makita and DeWalt are solid brands, and you can’t go wrong with either one. I personally favor the Makita tools, as I have had the same set of tools for many years and the batteries just keep going and going. I’ve heard great things about the DeWalt tools as well though, so I recommend whichever brand suits you best!
Pocket Hole Jig
A pocket hole jig is one of those tools that I didn’t really know how much I would use until I actually got it. Now that I have this jig, I use it all the time. I started with the 320 jig when I was first starting out, and it worked great. It fits into a small package, and makes it really easy to drill pocket holes in cabinets and other furniture that are already partially assembled. Then, I outgrew the 320 and upgraded to the K4 jig, which makes it so much easier to do repetitive pocket holes for projects like this. At the end of the day, I still use both of these jigs since they each have advantages over the other, but you can definitely get by with just one.
Trim/Finish Nailer
A trim nailer and air compressor set is used in this project to quickly fasten the cabinet pieces together so you can continue working while the glue dries. I recommend the set below, as it’s the set I use each day and is a reasonably priced unit with a decent capacity, but any other set will work as well.
Clothes Iron
You may already have a clothes iron in your home, but if you’re anything like me your significant other may not want you taking over their nice iron and using it out in the garage. If that’s the case, try out this really inexpensive iron below. It’s perfect for the edge banding that is required in this project. Just turn it to the highest setting and start working.
Speed/Combination Square
These hand tools are essential for ensuring your project turns up straight and square. While inexpensive, simple tools like this can add a lot of value to your shop.
Set of Woodworking Clamps (at least 2 24” clamps and 2 36” clamps are recommended)
You can never have too many clamps! There are lots of different sizes and styles out there, but I recommend the ones below for their simplicity and cost. The WEN Cast iron pipe clamps can be used with any length of 1/2” cast iron pipe, and are great for a versatile solution since you can swap them out for a different length pipe depending on the need. I use these alongside the Bessey clamps for nearly all of my glue ups. While the Pipe clamps are great for versatility and strength, the Bessey clamps are more lightweight and are extremely easy to use. They come in a variety of lengths, and for this project I recommend at least 2 24” clamps and 2 36” clamps.
Tape Measure
This is a no brainer. If you don’t already have one in your shop, I recommend getting a few different ones strategically located so you are never too far away from one!
Other Helpful (but not required) Tools
