![]() |
Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 1Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 1 - A Place To Work A civilization's maturity and intelligence is judged, in part, by the diversity and sophistication of its tools. When it comes to woodworking, the human race is quite advanced. There are general tools that work well in many situations, and there are specialty tools made for one specific purpose. There are tools that require only manpower and a rudimentary knowledge, and others that utilize computer programs, a wide range of knowledge, and a powerful motor. We have even learned how to harness power for our tools and package it in a small battery component, giving us the freedom to take our tools wherever we need them. It is truly amazing and wonderful to contemplate the vast number of tools and all that woodworkers are capable of doing and creating with the help of these tools. And for many people, working with tools is one of the thrills, or even obsessions, of woodworking. Woodworking and related tools have become so popular that there are numerous companies that manufacture these tools and thousands of places to purchase them. Combine that with the vast numbers of different types of tools and it can get overwhelming, especially if you are new to woodworking. Our experts helped us focus on the basics to develop an overview of those tools needed to get a good start in woodworking. In the most basic terms, a woodworker needs four kinds of tools. They need a place to work, tools for cutting and shaping, tools for assembly, and finishing equipment. This simple statement provides the basis for the following discussion of woodworking tools. The tools listed and described here represent just the tip of the iceberg. In keeping with the philosophy that it is best to learn the basics first, and to not invest large sums of money until a person is certain that they have an ongoing interest in woodworking, the emphasis is on hand tools, with a few basic power tools thrown in. These tools should prepare you for a variety of beginner projects and give you a solid foundation of equipment and knowledge to build upon. A Place To Work But the main focus of your workspace will be your bench or table - wherever you place your materials to work them. Depending on the type of work you plan to do, you may not need a large space. It could be a workbench in your basement or some sawhorses on the front lawn. The ideal workstation will be large enough to accommodate the pieces of wood you have, sitting on a stable, level foundation, and clear of other tools and materials that you are not using. Many people like to have easy access to electrical outlets so that they don't have to use an extension cord. And adequate lighting is important as well. Many woodworkers choose their bench for their first project. You can use a design of your own or one of many patterns or precut kits that you assemble following the instructions provided. A solid, bench kit can be purchased for around $100 to $200, including wood and hardware. More expensive models are also available and often include drawers, and other features. Woodworking supply companies sell sturdy metal worktable frames that allow you to create workbenches of whatever size you choose, simply by assembling them and adding the tabletop. You can also add shelves, drawers, and cupboards if you choose. A set of four frame legs and stretcher supports costs around $60. Generally, as you expand your skills and project scope, one workbench is not enough and you will likely have several, including those for specific equipment such as a saw or router table. So it is not necessary that your first worktable be all-inclusive or anything fancy. Just go with something safe and sufficient for the first few projects you have in mind. Tool Summary It is also important to note again that each type of tool has its own care and maintenance needs that are often more specific than what has been touched on here. The details have been left out of this book to avoid overwhelming someone who is brand new to woodworking. However, their omission does not mean they aren't important. "Failing to care for your tools is ridiculous from a financial standpoint," stated shop teacher, Kevin Warner. "Why spend $20 on a good quality handsaw or clamp and then allow it to go dull or rust? Not only will you loose money, your work will suffer because your tools won't perform as intended. And it will take you more time in the long run. Taking good care of your tools is one of the first steps in becoming a serious woodworker." Copyright © 2005 by Ferhat Gul. All rights reserved. You may redistribute this article in its unedited entirety, including this resource box, with all hyperlinked URLs kept intact. Ferhat Gul is the publisher of the brand-new "Woodworking Beginner's Guide - Tips From Experienced Woodworkers to Help You Get Started", made just for people who love woodworking. This comprehensive, yet compact woodworking introduction for beginners is easy to read and helps to save time, money and effort.
Get your crochet hooks, paintbrushes, scrapbooks, and creativity ready: Hobby Lobby opens soon Progress Index Michaels Draws Buyout Interest From Private Equity The New York Times Wellesley Business Buzz: Hipstitch sewing & knitting studio coming to Church Square; WHS seniors with insider knowledge launch Akston Tutoring; Custom Ink opens in Linden Square The Swellesley Report Get crafty at your Abilene Public Library Abilene Reporter-News Destiny Mariah Pacheco | Obituaries | lancasteronline.com LNP | LancasterOnline Creative workshops see boost in numbers as people pick up new hobbies in lockdown South West Londoner Sew much fun quilting and crafting your way through COVID Wooster Daily Record Get in the loop - Albert Lea Tribune Albert Lea Tribune What's Happening at Your Library - Paulding County Progress The Paulding County Progress How to get into leatherworking Popular Science Throwback hobbies now make money as side gigs Las Vegas Review-Journal Janice Rae Adams | Obituaries | championnewspapers.com Chino Champion Here are five of the best craft shops in Lancashire Lancashire Post Obituary: Rechelle Jacques | Lewiston Sun Journal Lewiston Sun Journal Ruth Virginia Reim Wahoo Newspaper Buy Books To Support The Library - MyVeronaNJ My veronanj Hints from Heloise: Don't advertise your life The Union Leader Persell Middle School Announces Students Of The Month Jamestown Post Journal Janette Jaros Alt, Struthers, Ohio WKBN.com Soar Into Spring With GNPS Community Ed Great Neck Record Kirk Andrew Servantez | Obituaries | globegazette.com Mason City Globe Gazette Louise Nicholson | Obituary Times-Enterprise Coronavirus pandemic: This ‘Netflix-like platform’ strives to facilitate early learning among kids The Financial Express Ask Heloise: Don't advertise your life - The Advocate-Messenger Danville Advocate The Punk Rock Linguistics of Cottagecore JSTOR Daily Obituary: Phyllis Franck - Portland Press Herald pressherald.com TV preview: Jenny Eclair: 'It's an afternoon show on channel 4, there are rules and regulations' HeraldScotland Most Popular Lockdown Hobbies for Women Revealed | News Craft Business Collingwood artist gathers following with homemaker YouTube series CollingwoodToday.ca Local hobby and craft specialists seeing uptick in consumer interest Charleston Gazette-Mail TODD SMITH — Facebook to pay $1 Billion to news industry Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal 7 Quarantine-Friendly Hobbies to Try Right Now Real Simple 11 unique at-home craft ideas to see you through quarantine, creatively goodhousekeeping.com Heloise 3-5 | | theprogressnews.com Clearfield Progress Hobbies keep us entertained, relieve stress during pandemic HollandSentinel.com 30 Best Hobbies for Women - Creative Activities to Fill Your Free Time - GoodHousekeeping.com GoodHousekeeping.com 50 Hobbies for Men You Can Start at Home The Trend Spotter Crafting new hobbies to get through 2020 INQUIRER.net Widen Your Horizons: Hobby & Craft Books 2020 Publishers Weekly Best hobbies to do at home while self-isolating Stylist Magazine New Jersey Sues Smith & Wesson Over Its Gun Advertising The New York Times At the Library: Let the library be your hobby incubator The Westerly Sun 'Trying to find positivity': UNC athletes find hobbies during COVID-19 The Daily Tar Heel People Have Gone Full 1800s The New York Times Ben Morris Sundancetimes COVID Long Island: Roslyn teen Caroline Faber creates crafts program for kids in homeless shelters WABC-TV The Top 5 DIY Trends, According to Michaels BobVila.com Detroitisit - Looking for an Exciting New Hobby in Detroit? Submerge Yourself into the City Culture Detroitisit The Best New Hobbies to Try During Quarantine (That We’ve Written About) New York Magazine Not a crafter? Here’s why you should consider becoming one during the pandemic. The Washington Post Hobby Lobby scheduled to open to the public mid-September Sault Ste. Marie Evening News A pandemic winter is a great time to start a new hobby Minnesota Public Radio News
|