Just starting out in the world of workshop machinery and feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry - this machinery guide will point you in the right direction. Whether you’re thinking about upgrading from hand tools to machines or diving straight into your first DIY project, this guide will walk you through what each machine does and help you figure out which ones you actually need.

What are Bench Grinders, Polishers & Linishers?

Bench grinder: A machine used to sharpen, shape, or remove material from tools and metal parts using high-speed rotating wheels.
Best for: precise material removal on small or medium-sized tools.

Polisher: Smooths and shines surfaces using a cloth or felt wheel with polishing compounds. Unlike a grinder, it focuses on finish rather than cutting.
Best for: achieving a smooth, high-quality finish on metal, tools, or decorative items.

Linisher: Uses a continuous abrasive belt to flatten and smooth larger surfaces. Ideal for even, consistent finishing over wide areas.
Best for: smoothing and finishing large surfaces where consistency is required.

What are Drills, Mills & Morticers?

Drills: Pillar drills are fixed machines providing stability and accuracy. Bench pillar drills suit small workshops, while floor pillar drills handle heavy workloads. Compared to handheld drills, they make cleaner, more precise holes.
Best for: accurate, repeatable drilling where precision matters.

Mill: Cuts, shapes, or removes material by feeding it against a rotating tool. Versatile for making precise shapes, slots, holes, and complex surfaces.
Best for: shaping and machining materials with multiple operations in a single setup.

Morticer: Cuts square or rectangular holes (mortises) in wood for mortise-and-tenon joints.
Best for: creating strong, precise joints in woodworking projects.

What is a Dust Extractor?

Dust extractors capture dust, wood chips, and debris at the source, keeping the workspace clean and safe.
Best for: maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient workshop environment.

What is a Lathe?

Lathes rotate a workpiece against a cutting tool to shape metal or wood into cylindrical, symmetrical, or threaded parts.
Best for: producing accurate, symmetrical pieces like spindles, rods, or bowls.

What are Planers & Thicknessers?

Planer: Flattens the surface of timber, removing warps and roughness.
Thicknesser: Ensures timber has uniform thickness along its length. Together, they prepare boards for precise joinery or furniture-making.
Best for: producing smooth, even timber ready for accurate construction work.

Perform Benchtop Thicknesser

What is a Powerfeed?

A power feed automatically moves a workpiece or tool at a consistent speed during cutting or shaping on machines like lathes or mills.
Best for: improving efficiency and consistency in repetitive machining operations.

What is a Sander?

Sanding machines use abrasive belts, discs or bobbins to smooth surfaces faster and more evenly than hand sanding.
Best for: preparing surfaces quickly and evenly for finishing or painting.

Axminster Workshop Sander

What is a Saw?

Machine saws cut wood, metal, or plastic quickly and accurately using a moving blade (circular, band, or reciprocating).
Best for: fast, precise, and repeatable cutting across a range of materials.

What is a Sharpening System?

Sharpening systems restore edges on knives, chisels, and tools efficiently, keeping them sharp and ready for use.
Best for: maintaining tool performance and extending lifespan.

Axminster Professional Ultimate Edge V/Speed Sharpening System

What are Spindle Moulders & Tenoners?

Spindle moulder: Shapes and profiles timber edges with a vertical cutter, ideal for decorative edges and joints.
Tenoner: Cuts tenons for mortise-and-tenon joints quickly and accurately.
Best for: producing precise joints and detailed profiles in woodworking.

Quick Reference Summary

  • Bench grinders: sharpening and shaping
  • Polishers: finishing and shining
  • Linishers: smoothing flat surfaces
  • Drills: accurate hole making
  • Mills: cutting and shaping materials
  • Lathes: creating cylindrical parts
  • Planers & thicknessers: preparing smooth, even timber
  • Powerfeeds: consistent machining repeatability
  • Sanders: smoothing surfaces for finishing
  • Saws: fast, precise cutting
  • Sharpening systems: restoring sharp edges
  • Spindle moulders: shaping and profiling timber edges

Thinking about making the leap from hand tools to machines?

Take a look at our blog, which gives you a rundown of everything you need to know.

Read the blog

Frequently Asked Questions

What machinery do I need in a beginner workshop?

A saw, sander, pillar drill, and dust extractor cover cutting, shaping, finishing, and safety essentials.

Do I need a dust extractor?

Yes. It removes airborne dust and debris, improving air quality and keeping your workspace clean.

Are machine tools better than hand tools?

Machine tools offer speed, precision, and consistency; hand tools are better for portability and fine control.

What is the best machine for smoothing wood?

Use a sander for general smoothing, and a planer & thicknesser to flatten and size timber before finishing.

How do I know which machine level is right for me?

Check out our machinery classifications guide for an easy breakdown of different machine levels and brands, helping you find the one that fits your needs perfectly.