Top 20 U.S. Manufacturing Industries Served by ToolsToday

At ToolsToday, we take pride in supporting a wide range of industries that depend on precision, durability, and innovative tooling. From artisans to industrial manufacturers, our cutting tools help professionals and hobbyists bring their visions to life. Below is a quick overview of 20 industries we serve—complete with industry snapshots and the go-to tools that make it all possible.

Your source for industrial cutting tools, ToolsToday delivers unmatched quality, precision, and longevity with every bit and blade we sell.

1. Woodworking

Industry Snapshot: The U.S. woodworking industry encompasses furniture making, cabinetry, and millwork, employing over 400,000 individuals and contributing significantly to the manufacturing sector. Cabinet makers, furniture builders, and woodturners depend on precision tooling for joinery, trimming, and finishing.

Popular Tools:

• Straight plunge bits for mortises and dados
• Roundover bits for smooth edges on furniture
• Dado sets for clean interlocking joints

 2. Sign Making

Industry Snapshot: Sign making in the U.S. generates over $11 billion annually and employs tens of thousands in shops specializing in both traditional and CNC-created signage. CNC sign makers create dimensional signage in wood, plastic, and aluminum composites using tools that ensure precision and consistency.

Popular Tools:

• V-groove bits for engraving and carving text
• Inlay bits for complex multi-color sign work
• Spoilboard surfacing bits for leveling material before routing

3. Cabinetry

Industry Snapshot: Cabinetry is a key segment of U.S. construction and remodeling, with the custom cabinet market alone valued at over $30 billion. Custom and commercial cabinetmakers cut dados, rabbets, and joinery for face frames and box construction, relying on durable tools to streamline production.

Popular Tools:

• Dowel drill bits for precise joinery
• Hinge boring bits for concealed European hinges
• Edge banding trimmers for clean laminate edges
• Or, better yet, try our 2 Piece Edge Banding Bit Sets for Drop-Dead Gorgeous Edge Banding

4. Set & Stage Design

Industry Snapshot: The U.S. entertainment and theater industry generates over $40 billion a year, much of it dependent on high-quality stage design. Theatrical and film professionals build large props, backdrops, and architectural facades—often under tight deadlines and with diverse materials.

Popular Tools:

• Flush trim bits for template-based cuts
• Ball nose bits for shaping foam and soft materials
• Plywood-cutting saw blades for large sheet stock

 5. CNC Machining

Industry Snapshot: CNC machining supports a $100+ billion industry in the U.S., spanning everything from custom parts to large-scale production. Machine shops use CNC routers to fabricate parts from wood, metal, plastic, and composites—requiring precision tools with long operational life.

Popular Tools:

• Solid carbide compression bits for laminated wood
• Spiral up-cut & down-cut bits for chip evacuation
• Engraving bits for serial numbers and fine detail

6. Metalworking

Industry Snapshot: The metalworking sector includes over 60,000 businesses in the U.S. and produces key parts for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications. Manufacturers cut aluminum, brass, copper, and other metals for components or enclosures using advanced cutting tools.

Popular Tools:

• Non-ferrous metal cutting saw blades
• And, for that matter, Steel cutting saw blades
• AlTiN-coated end mills for steel and alloy cutting
• Drill mills for multipurpose drilling and chamfering

7. Plastics Fabrication

Industry Snapshot: U.S. plastics manufacturing is a $430+ billion industry employing over 900,000 workers. Fabricators cut acrylic, PVC, polycarbonate, and HDPE for displays, machine guards, and custom parts—requiring bits and blades that prevent melting and ensure crisp edges.

Popular Tools:

• O-flute bits for smooth edges without melting
• Chipbreaker bits to reduce plastic stringing
• Non-melt, plastic-cutting saw blades

8. Composite Material Processing

Industry Snapshot: The demand for composite processing—used in aerospace, automotive, and sporting goods—continues to grow, with global revenues exceeding $100 billion. CFRP and GFRP materials demand tooling that reduces fraying and delivers clean finishes.

Popular Tools:

• Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) Scoring Bits
• Diamond (PCD) Router Bits, and, 
• Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) Router Bits & End Mills for abrasive composites

9. Architectural Millwork

Industry Snapshot: Architectural millwork—such as moldings, columns, and trims—is a growing $10 billion segment in the U.S. construction industry. Shops craft custom profiles and stair components with the help of versatile and repeatable cutting tools.

Popular Tools:

• Classical profile bits for crown molding and rail profiles
• Edge beading bits for ornate trim work
• Rabbeting bits for panel recesses

10. Furniture Manufacturing

Industry Snapshot: The U.S. furniture manufacturing industry generates over $65 billion annually and employs more than 250,000 people. High-volume producers use CNC tools for chairs, tables, and cabinetry—where consistency and cutting precision are key.

Popular Tools:

• Insert carbide spoilboard cutters for surfacing slabs
• Mortising bits for tenons and slots
• Panel saw blades for MDF and laminated sheet cutting

11. Musical Instrument Making

Industry Snapshot: From boutique luthiers to high-end manufacturers, musical instrument production relies on precision and repeatability. The U.S. market includes over 10,000 instrument makers crafting guitars, violins, pianos, and more—each requiring tight tolerances for tonal quality and playability.

Popular Tools:

• Tapered ball nose bits for carving tops and necks
• Template bits for body routing
• Miniature straight bits for fine inlay work

12. Education & Makerspaces

Industry Snapshot: With thousands of schools and community makerspaces embracing hands-on STEM education, demand for safe, durable tools is rising. Students and hobbyists use CNC routers and table tools to prototype, learn, and build.

Popular Tools:

• Beginner-friendly engraving bits
• Multi-purpose starter sets for CNC projects
• Spoilboard surfacing bits for reusable substrates

13. Aerospace Manufacturing

Industry Snapshot: The U.S. aerospace sector leads globally, generating $900+ billion and employing over 2 million people. Precision components made from aluminum, composites, and titanium require advanced cutting tools built for tight tolerances and extended use.

Popular Tools:

• PCD router bits for carbon fiber
• Coated end mills for aluminum and alloy cutting
• Diamond pattern burr bits for deburring and shaping

14. Musical Instrument Making

Industry Snapshot: Luthiers and boutique builders rely on precision for crafting guitars, violins, and more. With wood selection and shaping essential to tonal quality, instrument making blends fine craftsmanship with CNC repeatability.

Popular Tools:

• Tapered ball nose bits for 3D carving of tops and necks
• Down-cut spiral bits to protect delicate veneers
• Micro end mills for fret slots and inlays

(BTW, inserting shameless plug for our profile of master luthier Omar Deutsch.)

15. Exhibit & Display Fabrication

Industry Snapshot: Custom displays for trade shows, events, and retail environments fuel a $34 billion industry in North America. Shops work with foam, MDF, acrylic, and aluminum composite materials to create eye-catching structures fast.

Popular Tools:

• ACM (Aluminum Composite Material) bits for clean folds
• Slot cutters for interlocking signage panels
• O-flute spiral bits for acrylic clarity

16. Packaging & Prototyping

Industry Snapshot: From custom foam inserts to rigid box packaging, short-run production and prototyping demand high adaptability. Tooling needs to handle chipboard, EVA foam, and corrugated plastic with minimal waste.

Popular Tools:

• Oscillating drag knives for CNC cutting of foam and film
• Low-helix bits for chipboard packaging
• Multi-material bits for mixed-substrate prototypes

17. Stone & Solid Surface Fabrication

Industry Snapshot: Quartz, granite, and solid surface countertops make up a $20+ billion market in U.S. construction and remodeling. CNC routers are used to shape and polish sinks, backsplashes, and custom inlays.

Popular Tools:

• Diamond Saw Blades for Concrete and Masonry
• Carbide Tipped Solid Surface Saw Blades for cutting solid surface materials such as Corian®
• Solid surface bits designed for acrylic-polyester blends

18. Themed Entertainment & Amusement Design

Industry Snapshot: Theme parks, escape rooms, and immersive exhibits drive demand for large-scale foam and wood sculpting. Builders rely on CNCs for accurate carving of complex scenic elements used in high-traffic environments.

Popular Tools:

• Long-reach ball nose bits for sculptural depth
• Straight bits for modular scenic panels
• Jigsaw blades for foam & cardboard

19. Custom Interior Design

Industry Snapshot: Custom interiors—residential and commercial—represent a high-value niche within the remodeling and design industry. Projects span wall paneling, feature walls, acoustic treatments, and bespoke furniture elements.

Popular Tools:

• Texturing bits for acoustic panel designs
• Edge profiling bits for statement trims
• CNC inlay bits for patterned surface accents

20. Trophy, Awards & Engraving

Industry Snapshot: The engraving industry, worth over $2 billion annually, serves corporate, sports, and personal markets. Small shops and high-output facilities need tools for consistent results on wood, acrylic, and metal.

Popular Tools:

• In-Groove engraving bits for metal plaques
• 60° and 90° V-bits for fine text
• Micro end mills for intricate logos and designs

At ToolsToday.com, we’re more than a tool supplier—we’re a trusted partner in craftsmanship and innovation. Whether you’re routing signs, crafting instruments, or engineering components for aerospace, our tools are designed to exceed expectations. Explore our vast collection and find the perfect bit, blade, or accessory for your next project.

Need help choosing the right tool for your industry? Contact our expert team or browse by application on ToolsToday.com.