List of Anarchist Woodworking Tool Chest Tools

25 Oct 2026 - Warren Mar

This is the tool list from Christopher Schwarz’s The Anarchist’s Tool Chest, from the 2025 PDF published by Lost Art Press. It’s meant for people who want to build high-quality furniture.

Tools marked with an asterisk (*) can easily be made, or should be made, by the woodworker.

Handplanes

• Jack plane
• Plow plane or combination plane, such as the Stanley No. 45
• Rabbet/shoulder plane
• Block plane, low-angle version is preferred
• Router plane, closed throat
• Smooth plane, as small as possible

Marking & Measuring

• Cutting gauge(s)
• Panel gauge*
• 6” combination square, which has a removable 6” rule
• 12’ tape measure and/or 3’ folding rule
• Marking knife
• Wooden winding sticks*
• 36” wooden straightedge*
• Wooden try square, 12” blade*
• Sliding bevel
• Dividers, two to four pair

Essential Cutting Tools

• Bevel-edge chisels: 1/8”, 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2” and 3/4”
• 1-1/2”- to 2”-wide paring chisel
• Mortise chisel: 1/4” or 5/16”
• Spokeshaves, flat and round-bottomed
• Cabinet, modeling and rattail rasps
• Card scraper, curved by user

Striking & Fastening Tools

• Chisel mallet*
• 13 oz. to 16 oz. hammer
• Nailsets*
• Nail pincers
• Set of slotted screwdrivers
• Screw tips for drill/drivers
• Sawnut drivers (if you have split sawnuts)
• Countersinks; counterbores
• 10” brace
• Hand drill
• Set of 13 auger bits
• Brad points: 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4”, 5/16”, 3/8”, 7/16” and 1/2”
• Birdcage awl
• Dowel plate*

Saws

• Dovetail saw
• Carcase saw
• Tenon saw
• Panel saws (rip saw, crosscut saw)
• Flush cut saw
• Coping saw or bowsaw

Sharpening

• Sharpening stones (honing and polishing)
• Side-clamp honing guide
• Strop* (if you use oilstones)
• Grinder
• Oilcan or plant mister
• Burnisher

Appliances

• Bench hook*
• Sawbenches*
• End-grain shooting board*
• Cork sanding block*
• Workbench*
• Cabinet clamps (at least four)

Good-to-have Tools

• Dial caliper
• 12” combination square
• Dovetail marker*
• Jointer plane
• Large shoulder plane
• Carpenter’s hatchet
• Drawknife
• Beading plane, such as a 3/16”
• Small complex moulder, such as an ogee or square ovolo
• A couple pairs of hollows and rounds, such as Nos. 6 or Nos. 8
• Mill file
• Trammel points*
• Miter shooting board*
• Miter box