Woodcraft Supply, LLC stands as one of the oldest and most respected distributors of woodworking tools and supplies in the United States. Founded in 1928 in Boston, the company has spent nearly a century refining its selection to meet the evolving needs of both professional cabinetmakers and weekend hobbyists. Navigating through the Woodcraft catalog reveals a curated collection of thousands of items, ranging from traditional hand-forged Japanese chisels to the latest in high-tech CNC machinery. The catalog serves as a definitive guide for anyone looking to outfit a workshop or master a new craft. By prioritizing quality brands and technical expertise, the catalog ensures that every tool offered meets a standard of performance that justifies the investment. Whether a craftsman is seeking rare exotic lumber or precision measuring instruments, the breadth of options available reflects a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in timber manipulation and joinery.
Beyond the mere acquisition of hardware, the Woodcraft catalog emphasizes the importance of education and skill development within the maker community. Each section often provides insights into tool applications, material properties, and safety protocols, making it a valuable reference manual rather than a simple sales flyer. The catalog highlights a massive network of physical retail locations where woodworkers can engage in hands-on classes and demonstrations. This integration of physical and digital resources fosters a supportive environment for beginners who might feel overwhelmed by the technical specifications of specialized machinery. By focusing on the project-first mentality, the catalog helps users identify exactly what they need for specific tasks, such as bowl turning, furniture restoration, or intricate inlay work. This approach builds trust, as the recommendations are clearly rooted in decades of industry experience and a passion for the craft of woodworking.
Precision Hand Tools for Master Craftsmanship
The foundation of any serious woodworking shop lies in its hand tools, and the Woodcraft catalog offers a selection that caters to those who appreciate the tactile nature of manual labor. Hand tools allow for a level of finesse and detail that power tools often cannot replicate. The catalog features a massive array of chisels, planes, and handsaws from world-renowned manufacturers. Brands like WoodRiver and Pinnacle are prominently featured, providing options for those who need reliable performance without the custom-tool price tag. For those who enjoy the process of sharpening and maintenance, the catalog provides all the necessary stones, guides, and honing compounds to keep an edge razor-sharp. This focus on maintenance ensures that the tools remain functional for a lifetime, embodying the heirloom quality that many woodworkers strive for in their own creations.
Traditional Bench Planes and Specialized Joinery Tools
Bench planes are essential for flattening surfaces and squaring edges, and the Woodcraft catalog includes everything from small block planes to massive jointer planes. The WoodRiver line of V3 planes is a highlight, offering heavy-duty castings and high-carbon steel blades that are ready to work with minimal setup. Specialized joinery tools, such as shoulder planes, router planes, and plow planes, are also available for those tackling complex tasks like cutting tenons or grooving for drawer bottoms. These tools are designed with ergonomics in mind, allowing the user to work for extended periods without fatigue. The catalog also includes technical specifications for each plane, such as the blade angle and sole length, helping woodworkers choose the right tool for their specific wood species and project scale.
The Art of the Edge: Chisels and Carving Sets
Chisels are perhaps the most versatile tools in the shop, and the catalog provides a vast range of styles, including bench chisels, mortise chisels, and paring chisels. High-quality steel is the priority here, with many options featuring O1 or A2 tool steel for superior edge retention. For those interested in artistic expression, the carving section of the catalog is particularly impressive. It features Pfeil Swiss Made carving tools, which are widely considered the gold standard in the industry. These tools come pre-sharpened and polished, allowing the woodworker to move straight from the box to the wood. Whether the goal is relief carving, architectural detail, or whittling, the catalog offers the specific profiles and sweeps required for intricate work.
High-Performance Power Tools and Shop Machinery
While hand tools provide the detail, power tools provide the muscle needed to process raw lumber into usable components. The Woodcraft catalog features a robust selection of stationary and portable power tools from industry leaders such as SawStop, Festool, Jet, and Powermatic. For a workshop to be efficient, it needs a reliable table saw, and the inclusion of SawStop technology highlights a commitment to safety. These saws feature a revolutionary brake system that stops the blade upon contact with skin, preventing life-altering injuries. The catalog details the various models available, from compact jobsite saws to heavy-duty industrial cabinet saws, ensuring that there is a safe option for every shop size and budget.
Stationary Equipment for the Professional Shop
Heavy machinery is the backbone of any production-oriented shop. The Woodcraft catalog includes detailed listings for planers, jointers, and band saws that are built to handle high volumes of material. Brands like Jet and Powermatic are synonymous with durability, and their machines often feature helical cutterheads that provide a smoother finish and quieter operation compared to traditional straight knives. For those interested in woodturning, the catalog offers a comprehensive range of lathes, from midi-lathes perfect for pen turning to large-scale machines for turning massive bowls and platters. Each machine listing includes vital statistics like horsepower, swing capacity, and weight, allowing the buyer to assess whether the equipment fits their specific spatial and electrical requirements.
Portable Power Tools and Dust Collection Systems
In addition to large stationary machines, the catalog features an extensive array of portable power tools designed for precision and mobility. Festool is a major focus here, known for its integrated system of tools that work together seamlessly. From the Domino joiner to the TS 55 track saw, these tools are designed to bring shop-level accuracy to the jobsite or a small garage. A critical component of any power tool setup is dust collection, and the Woodcraft catalog offers everything from small shop vacuums to large multi-stage cyclone extractors. Maintaining a clean environment is not just about aesthetics; it is a health necessity in woodworking. The catalog provides information on HEPA filtration and CFM ratings to help users design a dust management system that effectively captures fine particles before they enter the lungs.
Premium Lumber and Exotic Wood Selection
A tool is only as good as the material it is used on, and Woodcraft takes great pride in its lumber program. The catalog features a diverse selection of domestic and exotic hardwoods that are often difficult to find at local big-box retailers. Woodworkers can find classics like Black Walnut, Cherry, and Hard Maple, alongside more exotic offerings such as Zebrawood, Purpleheart, and Bubinga. Each piece of wood is carefully sourced and dried to ensure stability during the building process. The catalog often includes descriptions of the grain patterns, workability, and finishing characteristics of each species, which is invaluable information for a maker trying to decide which wood best suits their design vision.
Sourcing Sustainable and Rare Hardwoods
Sustainability is an important consideration in modern woodworking, and the Woodcraft catalog reflects this by offering responsibly sourced timbers. Many of the exotic woods are sourced through channels that adhere to international regulations regarding the trade of endangered species. For those looking for unique character, the catalog also features live-edge slabs. These pieces retain the natural contour of the tree and are perfect for creating one-of-a-kind dining tables, benches, and countertops. Because every slab is unique, the catalog often highlights specific pieces with their dimensions and photographs, allowing the customer to see exactly what they are purchasing. This level of transparency is essential when dealing with high-value natural materials.
Turning Blanks and Specialized Project Wood
For woodturners and small-project makers, the catalog offers a wide variety of turning blanks and specialized wood products. This includes pen blanks made from stabilized wood, acrylics, and even historical materials like reclaimed stadium seating or witness wood from famous landmarks. Bowl blanks are available in various stages of dryness, including green wood for those who enjoy the process of drying their own turnings. The catalog also stocks specialized materials like Baltic Birch plywood and thin wood sheets for scroll saw work and laser engraving. By providing these smaller, project-specific cuts, the catalog makes it easy for hobbyists to get started on a project without having to purchase and mill a full-sized board.
Finishing Touches and Hardware Essentials
The final stage of any project is the finish, and the Woodcraft catalog offers a professional-grade selection of stains, oils, and topcoats. Choosing the right finish is crucial for both the appearance and the longevity of the piece. The catalog features brands like General Finishes, Odie’s Oil, and Rubio Monocoat, which are favorites among modern woodworkers for their ease of application and durability. Whether the project requires a food-safe oil for a cutting board or a high-gloss lacquer for a musical instrument, the catalog provides the technical data needed to make an informed choice. This includes information on VOC levels, drying times, and the best methods for application, whether by brush, wipe-on, or spray.
Professional Grade Stains, Oils, and Lacquers
For those looking to enhance the natural color of the wood or create a specific aesthetic, the catalog offers a deep inventory of dyes and stains. Water-based options have become increasingly popular for their low odor and quick cleanup, and the catalog provides a full spectrum of colors. Additionally, specialized finishes like milk paint offer a traditional look for Shaker-style furniture. For high-wear surfaces like tabletops, the catalog suggests various polyurethanes and conversion varnishes that provide maximum protection against moisture and heat. The inclusion of finishing accessories, such as high-quality brushes, sprayers, and sanding supplies, ensures that the woodworker has every tool necessary to achieve a flawless final result.
Functional and Decorative Cabinet Hardware
Hardware is often referred to as the jewelry of furniture, and the Woodcraft catalog does not disappoint in this department. It features an extensive collection of hinges, drawer slides, pulls, and knobs in various styles and finishes. From traditional brass hardware for period-accurate reproductions to sleek, modern stainless steel for contemporary designs, the options are vast. The catalog also includes technical hardware like Blum concealed hinges and Accuride drawer slides, which are known for their precision and smooth operation. Detailed diagrams and installation instructions are often provided, which is a significant help for woodworkers who need to ensure that their cabinetry functions perfectly and looks professional.
Woodworking Education and Project Planning
Woodcraft is not just a supplier; it is a resource for learning. The catalog frequently promotes a wide range of educational materials, including books, DVDs, and project plans. These resources cover everything from basic joinery techniques to advanced furniture design. For those who prefer a more interactive experience, the catalog provides information on the classes held at Woodcraft retail stores. these classes are taught by experienced instructors and cover a variety of topics, such as bowl turning, cabinet making, and tool sharpening. This commitment to education ensures that the woodworking community continues to grow and that traditional skills are passed down to the next generation of makers.
The extensive selection found within the Woodcraft catalog makes it a premier destination for anyone serious about the craft of woodworking. By offering a balanced mix of traditional hand tools, advanced power machinery, and high-quality materials, it addresses the needs of every stage of the building process. The focus on safety, education, and quality brands ensures that every purchase contributes to a better woodworking experience. Whether you are setting up your first shop or looking to upgrade your professional equipment, this catalog provides the insights and products necessary to achieve your goals. For more information and to view the full range of products, visit the Woodcraft Catalog today.