Who Else Wants a Great Woodworking Tools
As far as hand tools, you’ll be fine buying used older ones as long as they’re in good condition. The quality of older tools tends to be better and they’re made to last.You can build quality projects with just hand tools, but power tools make the job so much easier. Be especially leery of buying used or discounted power tools. Make sure they are safe and work effectively.
You don’t have to rush out and buy everything all at once. This is a hobby that can earn you money which can be used to buy tools and material, it may even turn into a livelihood if you are not careful!
When you get the word out to friends and family members that you are delving into woodworking, a lot of them may have excess tools lying around that you can use.Reward any kindness with a beautiful piece once you get
started!
Following are the basic tools you’ll need.
Claw hammers are the most common types of hammers used for woodworking and general repairs around the home.They are available with different types of handles, wood,steel with rubber or plastic grips and fiberglass composition.
The style of hammer you select should be a personal decision, hold the hammer in your hand as if to strike a nail,it should feel balanced, the grip should be comfortable.There are different weights, 16 ounces is a good general purpose choice, for heavier work perhaps 20 ounces. Smaller weights are suitable for tacks and light work or children.
Screwdrivers are needed for almost every woodworking project. Make sure you have various sizes of both Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers. I’m especially partial to my cordless, electric screwdriver that comes with different
size bits for all types of projects. This way, I have one tool with all the versatility of 10!
Wood chisels range in size from 1/4" to 2" wide in 1/8" graduations. They are available with wooden or plastic handles. Use a chisel about one half the width of the cut to be made. Thin cuts can be made by pushing by hand; heavier cuts are made by tapping on the end with a wooden mallet. You’ll want a couple of different sizes of chisels – no need to buy all sizes when you’re just starting out! Levels are available in many sizes and shapes, the most common being 24" long. They can be made of wood, aluminum or plastic. Some have fixed vials, others are adjustable. All levels have one or more vials for vertical and horizontal use, some have 45 degree vials. Inside the vial is
a fluid with an air bubble, when the bubble is centered between the two indicator lines the surface is level. You’ll need a level to insure your project turns out straight. You don’t want to build a bookshelf only to see it listing at a 45 degree angle!
Framing Squares are important in woodworking. With this tool it is possible to layout and measure just about everything in the construction of a house from the basement stairs on up to the attic rafters. It may also be referred to as a steel square or a carpenter’s square. The most common size has a 24" blade and a 16" tongue, however there are smaller sizes available but like some cheaper versions of the larger style they do not have the framing tables stamped on them.
Try Square - These squares have a steel tongue fixed into a wooden handle, they range in size from 3" to 12", some have inch scales on them others are blank. They are very handy for furniture and cabinet making as they are small
enough to fit in confined spaces.
Triangles - These are available in many shapes and sizes in various materials, the double 45° and a 30° - 60° are the two shapes used most in laying out patterns.
Tape measures come in a variety of widths and lengths. I would not recommend anything less than 3/4" wide for a tape over 6 feet long as they can not be extended out and remain rigid. For small projects in the shop 1/2" wide ones are adequate. Some have highlighted indicators at each foot; others have them at 16 inch intervals which is handier in construction for stud layout, whereas the foot indicators are more useful in the shop. Special tapes are available for lefties as well as ones with digital read-outs. The hook on the end is meant to be loose so that it will give an accurate measurement whether it is hooked over the edge or butted up to an edge. Check if the hook has been bent if measurements are not accurate.
Nail and Screws – you can buy these as needed for various projects, but you should still keep on hand various sizes of nails and screws.
Sandpaper – You’ll use a lot of sandpaper in finishing your projects. Have various grades available for the different projects you’ll be completing. Fine grit paper is used for most wood projects. Medium is generally used for first
sanding of soft woods and shaping. Coarse grit should be used for paint removal, rough sanding, and shaping.
Various Saws – A fret saw use very narrow blades so intricate designs can be cut. The blade can be rotated a full 360° to negotiate tight corners. Inside cuts are started by drilling a small hole to allow the blade to pass through it.
Then the blade is inserted into the saw frame. Deep throated saws called scroll saws with frames having 18" clearance are available. Handsaws are available in many sizes and configurations; a good general purpose saw is 26" long and has 8 teeth per inch. Crosscut saws (to cut across the grain) have teeth with a negative rake; ripping saws (to cut in the direction of the grain) have a zero rake.
Hand Plane - There are many different styles of hand planes some made of steel, others made from wood. Most are meant to smooth the surface, there are some with blades designed to cut profiles but with the advent of the router these are less common. Squaring up board edges and cleaning up rough boards is easy work with a hand plane. While you only need a basic smoothing plane to tackle most projects, don’t buy the cheapest hand plane you find. Look for a brand name or at least good quality metal to be sure the plane will last a long time.
Clamps - Any project that is glued requires clamping to insure that the parts are bonded firmly in exactly the right position. You can never have too many clamps, it is a good idea to pick up any that are available for a good price, especially at swap meets and garage sales no matter what style they are.
You’ll use clamps to glue boards side to side and to hold projects together as joints dry. Buying pipe clamps that range from 18 inches to 8 feet wide should ensure you have the right clamp for most projects. Add a few hand clamps and small C-clamps for smaller projects, too. If you intend to work with oak a lot, consider buying pipe clamps with zinccoated pipes to prevent staining of the wood.
Vises – A vise holds wood pieces steady on the workbench as you shape them with other tools. A mid-size vise, with a 7- to 9-inch opening, is sufficient for a beginner. Look for a vise with wood jaws or inserts, or use smooth scrap wood to keep the vise from denting your projects.
Rasps - Rough metal rasps are used to file board edges and remove small amounts of wood. Two rasps, one fine and one coarse, should be all you need
Electric Drill and Drill Bits - Electric drills are by far the first power tool purchased, they have so many uses besides drilling holes, there are attachments to turn them into paint mixers, sanders, screwdrivers, saws, grinders, lathes, the list goes on.
There are corded and cordless drills, so far each have their place. I would recommend starting with a 3/8" capacity, variable speed, reversible corded drill, it will not be as handy as a cordless but you will get good performance for a low price.
Choose a slower speed model, (max. 1200 rpm), they seem to have more torque for drilling larger holes yet still drill clean smaller holes. Most drills are now double insulated which is a safety factor, if it has a three prong plug use a three prong extension cord.
Electric Circular Saw – These can be very handy when cutting your wood pieces. No need to break the bank on this, however. Find one that’s easy for you to use and reliable.
Jig Saw – While not completely necessary, a good jig saw can help make your woodworking projects easier. They can add some eye-catching detail to a piece and make cutting wood easier as well.
Router - Routers have become one of the most used tools in a workshop, possibly even more popular than a table saw. A well equipped shop will have both a plunge base and a fixed base router; it is now possible to get a combination kit where one machine has both bases.
There are many different bit profiles available, probably a straight bit and a round over bit are the first ones you will need, but this depends on the type of projects you will be doing. It is much easier to work with smaller pieces if the
router is mounted on a table. Generally much better results are achieved by taking several passes making a shallow cuts rather than one pass if a lot of material has to be removed.
Glue – You’ll want some strong carpenter’s wood glue on hand to insure your piece’s stability.
Carpenter's Pencil - Rectangular shaped pencil, about 1/4" X 1/2", with a 1/16" X 3/16" lead.
Keep safety glasses at hand, even if you aren’t using power tools in your wood shop. When using a hammer or moving boards, objects or wood shavings can fly up quickly, putting you at risk of injury.
A basic first aid kit should also be readily available for shop accidents, though you can greatly reduce your risk of wood shop accidents by always using your hand tools as they are intended. Using the right tool for the job saves wear and tear on the tools and on you.
Finally, keep a wet / dry shop vacuum nearby so that you can quickly clean up wood shavings and dust. Keeping dust and wood particles to a minimum will reduce the risk of wood shop fires and help you breathe easier, too.
We’ll assume you have a basic knowledge in using a hammer and screwdriver. If you will be using power tools,just rely on the instruction guide that will come with it if you buy it new. If you don’t buy it new, enlist the help of a family member or friend to show you. A last ditch resort is to check the Internet or get a book from your local library.
Using tools isn’t rocket science. They’re pretty easy to figure out if you take the time. Just remember to be careful and practice safe use.
What do you need to know about using mechanical tools? Read on!
