The Tools You Really Need to Build Horse Jumps

If you are beginning a journey of woodworking, or just wanting to know what tools you should have in your garage/workshop I have done the hard work for you! This is a guide to show you the most important tools, along with things you may have not thought of in order to make the most of your time creating incredible pieces for yourself, tack room, barn and even as gifts and maybe a way to earn a little extra income every month.

Below you will find tools and different items that will make it easier for you to get started with many different projects, and they are all related to horses! These are the tools I use on a daily basis when creating the things that I make. The tools are also useful with many different projects around our small acreage as well as around the house.

You don’t have to run out and buy everything on this list right away, instead just keep the list readily available when you are out, and maybe buy 1 or 2 items when they are on sale, or if you have a little extra money.

I have broken down each item, and what I use them for, and I have also included an easy to print list so you can keep it with you, or check off the items as you go. I really wish when I got started I had something like this! It will make it a lot easier if you are just getting started. I hope you enjoy it, and I really hope you will see how easy it is making stuff for yourself and your horse once you finally decide to just do it!

 

Power Tools

If you are creating jumps, or working with any type of wood, you will be very wise to invest in power tools. With the tools that are available today, projects are so much easier, thankfully because of power tools. My opinion is that you really need these to be the most efficient with your projects and also to get professional results.

There is no right or wrong brand in my opinion, you just need the best that you can afford to get the job done. There are a lot of popular brands, such as Dewalt, but I have found from experience, sometimes the cheaper items actually last longer and work better. For example I have an 18 volt drill that I bought from Walmart. I bought it because I needed something now, and I didn’t have a lot of money to spend. I have now had that same drill for over 5 years now, and it works as if it were brand new. I love this drill! It is a “Skil” brand drill. I also have a Skil brand circular saw that again, I needed something with power, and I didn’t have a lot of money, so I bought it. And this tool I have again had for the past 5 years with tons of use, and it keeps on going!

 

I also have an example of a popular brand that everyone raves about, Dewalt. I have not this piece of equipment for even a year, and it is already giving me problems. I wanted to get a nice 18 volt drill, and everyone always raves about how great Dewalt is, so I thought this would be a good investment for me. It was expensive, but I figured it would be even better than my less expensive tool purchases. If it costs more, it should be better quality, right? Nope, that’s not true. I also have a Dewalt orbital sander that has lasted about a year as well. And this seems to be doing ok, however I have worn off the Velcro pad where the sanding pad sticks too, so I am going to have to buy a replacement for that.

The one positive I have noticed for Dewalt is their rechargeable battery life. These things are great, and hold the charge for a very long time. I have had 2 batteries, and I am pretty sure the batteries will outlast the tools. SO I guess what I am trying to say is more expensive does not always mean better. Look at what you are purchasing, and determine how much you are willing to spend. Buy what you can afford, and work your way up one tool at a time.

Here is a list of all the power tools I have and use on a regular (daily) basis

• Circular Saw
• Jigsaw
• 18 volt drill (plug in)
• 18 volt drill (rechargeable)
• Orbital sander
• Radial arm saw
• Table saw
• Chop saw
• Dremel
• Air compressor
• Air tools (such as a brad nail gun)

Essential items for your workshop

Along with the power tools, there are other items you will need for woodworking projects. Sometimes it is easier to commit to doing projects by purchasing the smaller items first, because you will be able to buy more pieces at a time, versus being able to buy one more expensive item, like a circular saw for instance. And just like the power tools, with these essentials, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

 

These are not power tools, but they are no less important when you are working in the workshop. And many times, these items will go missing, so it is a good idea to have an organized work space to keep everything, as well as having extras, just in case. And again, since these items are relatively inexpensive, it makes sense to have a spare. It will make it much easier to complete a project if you have access to all of your tools!

• Measuring tape
• Yard stick/ruler
• Sharpie markers
• Pencils and pens
• Paintbrushes
• Foam paint brushes
• Rags
• Different sized hammers
• Screwdriver bit set for your 18 volt drill
• Screwdriver set
• Needle nose pliers
• Regular pliers
• Caulking gun
• Drill bits
• Spade bits
• Sanding disks
• Nitrile gloves
• Leather gloves
• Safety goggles
• Surgical masks (for sanding)
• Dry erase markers
• Masking tape
• Electrical tape

 

Beyond The Tools…..Your Workspace

Once you have considered the tools you will need, it is also a good idea to plan your work area out. This will be very important if you are planning on building large items, like jump standards, poles, gates, and larger items, as well as the smaller pieces you will be able to create.

One thing that I made on accident has proven to be very valuable for me time and time again. I was playing with making some solid wing style standards that would basically be a flower box on the bottom with a lamp post for where the jump track for the cups would go. Long story short, they didn’t quite work the way I wanted them too, so I re-purposed them into basically saw horses! They are fantastic for setting up poles to paint, or larger items that won’t work very well on a workbench.

If you don’t have something like this, you can use sawhorses. These are affordable, and will earn their keep.

Old tables also work really well, and if you have any old door lying around, these are perfect for lifting your projects up off the ground to protect your floor, as well as providing space for drying pieces.

I think I am kind of a hoarder, because I keep everything. My reasoning is that I will have a use for it at some time. And usually I am right. For example, we replaced all of the interior doors in our home, so when we took out the old ones, we kept them in our garage. Now I uses these door, lifted up by empty buckets, and this is where my freshly painted pieces will dry.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a functioning workshop. You just have to be creative. I would suggest having some tarps, especially if you do not want to get yelled at for getting paint on the floors!

 

So if you can, these are what I would recommend to have in your workshop/garage/ horse jump building area:

• Saw horses (for painting jump rails, gates, planks, etc.)
• A rectangular table (the one I have is 3’ x 5’ long)
• Flat area for drying painted items (this is where I have used old doors on empty buckets)

And there you have it!

This is what I would recommend you have before you get started with building jumps. All of these items can be found inexpensively, if you are patient, and know how to track down a good deal you will be able to find these tools and everything you need to build your own horse jumps, as well as different DIY projects for your barn, tack room, and even your home.

 

Check back often for new projects, and horse jump ideas.!

If you found this information useful, invite others to my website so they can get in on the projects too!