 |
Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 2
Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 2 - Tools For Cutting
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.
Tools For Cutting
For the most part, cutting of wood is done with a saw. Typically if a woodworking cut is needed, whether it be straight or curved, it is done with a saw.
Saws
There are many different types of saws, each made for a specific purpose, but they generally fall into three categories. Handsaws
are used to convert large pieces of wood into the appropriate lengths and widths. Usually made with a triangle-shaped blade,
they include the ripsaw and crosscut saw. The ripsaw is for cutting with the grain, such as when you need to cut thin trim
pieces from a full plank. As the name implies, a crosscut saw is for cutting against the grain. It usually has more teeth than a ripsaw to provide for a finer cut.
Backsaws are for the majority of joining work you will do on projects. In this category, the tenon saw and the dovetail saw
look similar. Both have square blades and a back strip to hold the blade in place. This strip is usually made of brass in a good
quality saw. The difference between the two is that the dovetail saw has more teeth per inch to make finer cuts, such as a
dovetail. A tenon saw is for more basic joint cuts such as a bevel. It will likely get used a great deal. A third type of
backsaw is the bead saw, which is often used for carving miniatures.
Narrow-bladed saws are for cutting curves. The thin blades with many teeth allow for fine cuts and advanced maneuvering.
There are several different types, including a bow saw and a keyhole saw. The coping saw, such as that shown here, is perhaps
best known. It has a swivel handle and is often used for cutting holes in plywood and getting the right curve on trim and small project pieces.
Many woodworkers prefer the fretsaw, which is similar to the coping, but has a deeper U-shape and clamped blades, which allows
for more versatility in blade selection. A keyhole saw is similar to a handsaw except the blade is long and narrow. It is ideal for cutting curves and holes.
Selection Tips
When buying a good manual saw, it is important to look for a removable handle that will make care and replacement easy. If the
handle is held on with rivets, it is not easily replaceable. Be sure the handle feels comfortable and fits your hand well. A thin
blade is best for woodworking. Test the quality by holding the ends and bending the blade. It should bend evenly and smoothly. Also, tap it to see if it produces a pleasant, clear ring.
Care & Maintenance
Even if you start with a new saw, you will eventually need to give it a tune up. The following is a checklist to perform general maintenance on your saw.
- Sight down the length of the blade to see that it is straight and free from kinks. If the saw blade has a crack, it
cannot be repaired. If it has a small buckle or kink, lay it flat on a block of wood or metal plate with the buckle side up
and strike it firmly with a flat-faced hammer. If straightening a backsaw, remove the brass backing first. If the buckle is
severe, replace the saw or take it to a specialist for repair.
- Remove the handle, use a wood cleaner to remove dirt and check it for damage or rot. If it is cracked, you can break it
along the crack to create a clean break and glue the pieces back together. Rotted handles should be replaced, and can
either be purchased or made from a pattern drawn using the old handle.
- Check the blade for rust and debris. Clean brass pieces with polish and the blade with fine steel wool. Some people
treat the blade with a wax material that can be made or purchased from a hardware store. Wipe clean with a soft cloth.
If the teeth of your saw are no longer sharp or are uneven, it is best to bring it to an expert for sharpening and jointing
until you have been taught the proper way to perform this essential and delicate maintenance. If done incorrectly, it can ruin your saw.
- Proper storage of your saw can help maintain its quality. Hang from a hook so the blade stays straight, or make or buy a
holder that keeps the blade straight, teeth protected, and handle stabilized.
Power Saws
Expert woodworkers typically are divided on the need for a power saw. Several feel that beginners could do just fine without the
power equipment, while others feel that a handheld circular saw or even a table saw was an important investment. If you have the
budget, have worked with the basic manual saws, have a project in mind that requires many cuts, and are likely to stick with
woodworking for a number of years, a circular saw or table saw can be a good investment. They range in price from about $40 for
a good circular saw to several hundred for a table saw.
A huge area of woodworking consists of creating plaques and
figures using a scroll saw. If you plan to work with these types
of projects or designs where you need to make many curving cuts
and patterns, you will likely want a scroll saw.
Tool Summary
This completes part 2 of the condensed overview of some of the
tools that are commonly used in beginning woodworking projects.
As you can see, this topic could and has provided the content for
entire volumes of books and in order to fully understand the
possibilities in woodworking and create quality projects, it is
critical that you develop a more in-depth knowledge of the tools
you plan to use.
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.
 MORE RESOURCES updated Fri. September / 29 / 2023
|
|
|
Related Hobbies - Crafts articles:
Printing on Canvas
Given the progress in inkjet and media technology, demand
for printing photographs and art on canvas is growing
exponentially. Whether you have a good inkjet printer or
you prefer to have your work done by a professional outfit,
it is worth to explore this option for any type of image.
Depression Glass Patterns
Collectors of Depression Glass find not only its beautiful
colors fascinating, but its patterns, as well. With many
glass producers making this type of glass, as you can
imagine, many patterns resulted, creating a wide array of
pretty, practical, and inexpensive glassware affordable to
every American household in that lean era of history and
making Depression Glass one of the most collectible items
today.
Finding The Best Display Case For Your Treasures
Maybe you have a bunch of collectibles sitting in your
closet gathering dust. Or perhaps you've been storing your
fine China in the kitchen cupboards instead of a hutch.
How to Create a Reverse Painting on Glass
Introduction: Glass is a nonabsorbent painting support
which does not allow paint to easily adhere to it - apart
from through the paint's own drying process. For this reason
the outlines of a subject painted on glass need to be
simplified when applied to an extremely smooth glass
surface.
How to Make Gel Candles - 11 Easy Steps
Do you love burning beautiful, scented candles? And do you
know that you can easily make them yourself? It is exciting
and not at all difficult. Here are 12 easy steps to
creating unique candles that you can burn at home, give as
gifts, or even sell.
Are You Making Money At Craft Shows?
If you are involved in the crafts business, and are
profitable, you are among the rare breed who have
successfully combined art with business. If, however, you
still have yet to show a profit (or enough profit) after a
show, this article may get you going in the right
direction.
Creating A Family Tradition-Jigsaw Puzzles
Do you find it difficult to spend time together as a
family? There are so many pressures and activities that can
take away from the sense of family which was more commonly
experienced 50 years ago. Parents often both work, and
their commute can be tiring and long.
Civil War Uniforms: 5 Tips on Making Your Trousers Last Forever!
Are your pants wearing out too fast? Does it look like you
are expecting a flood because your pants are too short? Make
your Civil War Uniform trousers last forever by following
these 5 tips!1. Cut your trousers long, so when you first
start wearing them you will have to roll them up a few
times.
Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make
Christmas is a time of giving and receiving. Even kids
would want to get into the picture.
Cleaning Silk Bouquets In 3 Simple Steps
How To Clean A Silk Bouquet: A Silk bouquet can last a lot
longer than a bouquet made of real flowers, but it will
still droop, and get dusty, over time. Fortunately a little
bit of preventive care can go a long way towards keeping
your bouquet looking like new.
Collectible Action Figures - Is About Fun Memories And More Money
Superhero action figures first stormed the doors of
department stores and toy stores nearly 35 years ago.
Constructed of various kinds of plastic and clothed in
uniforms, costumes and capes G.
Rare Depression Glass Pieces
Depression Glass - The Rare Pieces: Did you know that if you
happen to have a crystal (clear) and pink Depression Glass
refrigerator bowl in the Crisscross pattern in good
condition and with its original cover, that it's valued at
between $300 and $335? Or that Shirley Temple cream pitcher
your grandmother keeps in the back of her upper cabinet
could bring up to $1,250 at auction? If you didn't, then
you've been in the dark about rare Depression Glass pieces
and their values! Here are a few pieces for which
knowledgeable Depression Glass collectors stay on constant
lookout: The Ruby Red Aladdin Beehive Lamp. Made for only six
months during 1937, this lamp currently brings anywhere
from $700 to $950 - if it can be found! Most collectors
owning this piece understandably do not have any interest
in letting go of it, which makes it even rarer. The color
of the glass in the Aladdin series of ruby lamps varies
from a light red with an amber tint to dark, rich red, with
the deeper reds fetching more interest with today's
collectors.
Spruce Up Your Pages with Scrapbooking Embellishments
Having this nagging doubt that you may upstage your
precious photos or clutter your pages with scrapbooking
embellishments? One moment you're just so tempted to paste
the embellishment onto your page, and the next moment
you're questioning yourself, "Should I? Should I not?" You
even wonder if you're just trying to force that simply
irresistible page accent onto your page to satisfy your
craving for? more embellishments. Well, you're in good
company.
What is a Battle Ready Sword?
You'd think that the term "battle ready sword" would be
pretty much self explanatory wouldn't you? Unfortunately,
many of the swords being described as "battle ready" are
anything but. And to quote Adrian Ko from Sword Forum
International, "a lot of these swords I wouldn't want to
take into battle even if they were strapped to a M-16.
Getting Started With Radio Control Cars
Take note that you need to decide whether you want a radio
control nitro or gas car or perhaps one that has an
electric engine. You could purchase either one which is
ready to run (rtr) or a kit.
Are Your Airbrush Products Selling? If So, Here Are 3 Ways To Further
Skyrocket Sales!
One of the biggest challenges faced by airbrush artists are
proof of what you say is true! The potential customer is
going to find it hard to believe you. Whether it is, if you
can do the work, whether they think you are charging them
too much, or it is simply that you are artistic, potential
customers are going to find it hard to trust you.
A Playtime Project: The Memory Quilt
A friend recently suggested a use for my daughter's first
wardrobe, which I've dutifully saved in the back of the
closet, and lugged on two long distance relocations. Turns
out she's done the same thing with her daughter's first
clothes, and we've decided to make memory quilts.
Turn An Arts And Crafts Hobby Into A Business
Are you searching for a quick way to make an extra
income? Why not turn that Cooking Interest, Comic Book
Collecting, or Your Retro Clothing Collection Into A Home
Based Business Venture!. Most people enjoy hobbies they have
pursued with great enthusiasm for years. Even though they
may find their leisure activities fulfilling and enjoyable
they never imagined making money with a fun hobby! The world
is packed with amazingly talented people.
Airbrushing Does Not Have to be All Disappointment, Heartache, and Bloody Hard Work!
A smart, but irritating man once told me that Airbrushing
did not have to be all blood, sweat and tears. If only I
had someone guiding me back in those hard, frustrating and
sick in the stomach days of airbrushing, I wouldn't have
wasted all that time and money! So here you are.
The Easy Way to Make a Special Present
We all know someone who is difficult to buy a present for.
Someone who has everything they need and would not
appreciate 'normal' gifts.
|
|
