I remember clearly the day I looked around my shop and realized I had everything I needed to make furniture. Before that day—before I had the equipment to mill my own stock, cut smooth curves, drill straight holes, smooth big surfaces—woodworking was a series of work-arounds. Filling my shop with tools wasn’t easy. It took a few years and a significant outlay of cash.

You could bypass that whole process by telling us “Why I Deserve a New Shop.” We’ll choose one passionate but under-equipped woodworker to receive a shop full of tools—enough for a lifetime of furniture making.

This contest is different from most. For one, we picked all the tools to give away, most of which have won high marks in our rigorous product tests. Second, the grand-prize winner also receives a contributing editor—just for a day—to help set up shop and get the tools in running order.

We look forward to reading your stories. We’ll publish the best in the magazine and online, along with a profile of the grand-prize winner.

Follow the links below to read reviews of the tools included in the $5,000 shop. For contest rules and instructions go to www.FineWoodworking.com/ToolShop.

THE COMPLETE TOOL LIST

Craftsman Professional 10-in. Tablesaw (OR35504)

Delta 22-580 13-in. Two-Speed Finishing Planer

Grizzly G0586 8-in. Jointer

Ridgid BS-1400 14-in. bandsaw

Bosch 3912B 12-in. Compound Miter Saw

Ridgid DP1550 15-in. Drill Press

Delta 50-760 1-1/2-hp dust collector with 1-micron bag

Porter-Cable 7812 10-Gal. Tool-Triggered Vacuum

Porter-Cable 895PK Router

Bosch PR10E Colt Palm-Grip Router

Bosch 1295DVS 5-in. Random-Orbit Sander

Milwaukee 0612-22 14.4v 12-in. driver/drill

Ryobi Variable-Speed Belt Sander, BE321VS

Milwaukee 6390-21 714-in. Circular Saw

Porter-Cable 557K Deluxe Plate (biscuit) Joiner

Veritas Low-Angle Block Plane

Bailey-Stanley No. 4 (Woodcraft) Smooth Plane plus replacement blade and chipbreaker

Veritas Medium Shoulder Plane

Veritas Cabinet Scraper (and card scraper)

Dozuki dovetail saw (Japan Woodworker), 8-1/4 in.

Two Cherries Bevel-Edge Chisels, set of 6