Over the years, numerous woodworking machines have been created with the purpose of assisting woodworkers in increasing their efficiency and productivity when processing wood. Moreover, these machines play a significant role in enhancing the precision of wood processing.
It can be challenging to identify the appropriate tools for your next project due to the vast array of woodworking machines available. This confusion is compounded when purchasing the initial set of machines for your workshop.
Today, our intention is to talk about the essential machines found in the modern workshop in order to assist you in your planning efforts.
What’s a woodworking machine
Woodworking machines are electric-powered equipment that are utilized in workshops, timber mills, and furniture factories for processing wood. These machines are capable of carrying out a wide range of tasks, including woodcutting, shaping, and carving.
Woodworking machines are usually powered by electric motors. An integrated electric motor spins the blade or drill bit, enabling the machine to perform tasks such as cutting, boring, or shaping wood. The machine is equipped with onboard controls that allow the user to operate it.
Categories of woodworking machines
There are two main categories of woodworking machines: handheld power tools and stationary machines. Handheld power tools are lightweight and portable, allowing you to hold them with one hand while working on your project. Examples of handheld power tools include electric drills and nail guns.
On the contrary, stationary machines such as the table saw are exemplars of large, weighty equipment that is permanently positioned in strategic locations for convenient usage.
Woodworking machines can be categorized as either manual or computer operated. Manual machines require significant human intervention. For example, despite being electric powered, the process of loading boards into and maneuvering the electric drill to ensure accurate cuts must be done manually.
Computer-controlled machines require minimal human intervention for loading and processing wood. Simply input the required data into the onboard computer, and the machine will load and process the wood as instructed, without the need for additional human involvement.
Additionally, certain computer-controlled woodworking machines come equipped with pre-programmed templates, making it even more convenient for users. Therefore, all you need to do is select a template from the control panel, and the machine will proceed to process the wood according to that chosen template while you observe.
Pros and cons of woodworking machines
Before purchasing a woodworking machine, it is important to consider the various advantages and disadvantages associated with this valuable investment.
Woodworking machinery pros
- Highly efficient
- Exceptional accuracy
- Fast and time-saving
- Extremely versatile
- Excellent for intricate designs
- High resale value
Woodworking machinery cons
- High upfront costs
- High operating costs (power bills)
- They are costly to repair
- Potential for costly errors/accidents
Woodworking machines
Woodworking machines are machines that are specifically designed to work with wood. These machines are commonly powered by electric motors and are extensively utilized in woodworking. In certain cases, grinding machines, which are used for grinding down wood into smaller pieces, are also considered a part of the definition of woodworking machinery.
Below are brief descriptions of the machines commonly used.
1. Electric saws
Electric saws, including chain, jig, circular, and reciprocating saws, which are also known as a Sawzall, are essential tools in a woodworker’s workshop. They are utilized for accurately cutting straight or angled wood pieces at various thicknesses and can also be employed for making holes in wood. Additionally, electric saws can be either portable or floor-standing.
Meanwhile, automated bandsaws, panel saws, radial arm saws, table saws, and scroll saws are among the popular types of floor-standing electric saws.
2. Nail guns
After saws, the nail gun is considered to be one of the most significant power tools in the modern workshop. Nail guns, also referred to as nailers, enable the driving of nails into wooden pieces without utilizing a hammer. Rather than using a hammer, you simply load the nailer, establish contact with the wood surface, and then pull the trigger.
Nail guns are available in various types that cater to specific applications. To illustrate, framing nail guns are designed for joining large dimension lumber pieces, whereas brad nail guns are intended for using small nails in trims.
Other common categories include finish nailers, siding nailers, roofing nail guns, pin nailers, and hardwood flooring nail guns.
3. Electric drills
If you have a reliable electric drill, there is no need for a screwdriver as it can be used to bore holes in various materials as well as function as a screwdriver. An electric drill, also known as a power drill, is a handheld power tool with a pistol shape. It is primarily used for drilling holes in different materials beyond just wood.
In addition to boring holes and driving screws, an electric drill can also be utilized for fastening hex-head bolts. Furthermore, by attaching the appropriate head, it can function as a sander, grinder, or paint mixer. Various types of power drills include hammer drills, rotary hammers, impact drivers, core drills, and ground augers. Drills are categorized as either corded or cordless.
4. Woodworking lathe
The woodworking lathe, which is used in a carpentry shop, is considered to be one of the most significant machines. Its main purpose is to turn cylindrical parts, but with the proper manipulation of the tools, it is also capable of turning tapers, radii, and other irregular shapes quite effortlessly.
The machine resembles the engine lathe commonly used in machine shops. It is made up of a cast iron bed, a head stock, tail stock, tool rest, live and dead centers, and a speed control device. In modern lathes, the drive is powered by an individual motor. A cone pulley on the head stock spindle is connected to a cone pulley on the motor shaft by a belt. In practice, the workpiece is held either between two centers or on a face plate. For long jobs, the workpiece is held between the centers and turned using tools such as gouge, skew chisel, and parting tool.
The lathe usually comes with several accessories, which make it versatile for different tasks. The size of woodworking lathes, such as the engine lathe, is typically indicated by the lathe’s “swing” and the maximum distance between centers.
5. Circular saw
The circular saw is likely the second most crucial woodworking machine in a carpentry shop. It has the versatility to perform various tasks such as ripping, cross-cutting, mitering, beveling, rabbeting, and grooving.
All types of circular saws, such as the universal saw and variety saw, have common working parts. These include a flat surface or table for resting the work being cut, a circular cutting blade, a cut-off guide, and a ripping fence for guiding the saw along the wood’s grains. The circular saw can also tilt the table up to 45° for cutting at different angles during mitering, leveling, etc. The size of the circular saw is determined by the diameter of the saw blade.
6. Band saw
Following the previous mentioned woodworking machinery, the subsequent machines are known as band saws. These specific saws are created with the purpose of cutting wood utilizing an unending metal saw band, which moves across the edges of two or more rotating wheels.
The band saw consists of several components including the frame, table, saw guides, and saw tensioning arrangement. While it offers fewer cutting operations compared to a circular saw, it excels in making curved or irregular cuts in wood.
There are two models of the band available: vertical and horizontal. In the vertical model, two wheels are placed side by side and the table is mounted underneath. In the horizontal model, the wheels are arranged one above the other in a vertical plane below the table and the band goes through the table, as shown in Figure 10.55.
When it comes to the circular table, tilting the saw table is how angular cuts are achieved. The specified size of the band saw refers to the distance between the saw band and the inner side of the frame, which is approximately the same as the diameter of the wheels.
7. Jig saw Or Scroll saw
The scroll saw, also called a jig saw, is utilized to create complex and irregular cuts on smaller projects. When working with thin pieces of wood, the jig saw has the ability to cut in a curvy manner. These woodworking machines are essentially smaller versions of band saws, designed specifically for irregular tasks. They consist of a base, frame, table, upper and lower chucks, guide assembly, and blade. The chucks hold the blade with the teeth facing downwards. In terms of its shape, the blade closely resembles that of a hand hacksaw blade.
The wood is shaped by the vertical up and down movement of the blade in the jig saw. Angular work can be performed by tilting the table of the jig saw. The unique capability of this saw is its ability to cut inside curves. The blade-to-arm distance is what specifies a jig saw.
8. Jointer
The purpose of a jointer is to smooth and straighten the edges and surfaces of boards. It functions similarly to a hand planer, but with greater speed and accuracy. It is composed of a frame, table, feed rollers, and a rotating head equipped with two or three cutting knives. The plank is fed into the jointer using the feed rollers, and as it advances, the cutter head removes the wooden chips, resulting in a smooth and even surface. Additionally, the jointer can be used for cutting at various angles and levels by utilizing an adjustable fence. The length of the cutting blade is the defining characteristic of a jointer.
9. Wood planer
The following woodworking machine is a wood planer, specifically created to plane larger and heavier stock at a faster pace. To accomplish this, the boards that need to be planed are fed along a table using feed rolls, while being pressed against a rotating cutter head.
The overhead shaft on which the cutter head is mounted allows for adjusting the depth of cut. The planer table, designed to handle large and heavy stock, is considerably wider and longer compared to the jointer’s table.
10. Mortiser
A mortise refers to a square slot that is cut in a wooden piece to create a mortise and tenon joint. To accomplish this, mortising woodworking machines are utilized, as the process of cutting these joints can be arduous and time-consuming. These machines fall into three categories, specifically the hollow chisel mortiser, chain mortiser, and oscillating bit mortiser.
A. Hollow chisel mortiser
The most frequently utilized woodworking machine is called the hollow chisel mortiser. It is comprised of a spindle that rotates and holds an auger bit at its lower end. The auger bit spins rapidly within a square section hollow chisel.
The process starts when the chisel is inserted into the wood, and the sharp end of the chisel, along with the auger bit, create a square hole. This collaboration between the auger bit and chisel allows for the boring of a square hole. To determine the depth of the hole, an adjustable depth stop is utilized. An electric motor rotates the spindle, and foot pressure on a lever enables the tool-feed.
B. Chain mortiser
The primary purpose of the chain mortiser is to create mortises in doors and windows. It operates by having an endless chain with saw-like teeth on its outer surface. This chain rotates around a guide bar and effectively cuts through the material. As a result, a mortise of the necessary length is formed, featuring a round bottom that matches the profile of the rotating chain.
C. Oscillating bit mortiser
The oscillating bit mortiser is equipped with an oscillating router bit and is designed to create relatively small mortises perfectly suited for small-scale cabinet and chair projects.
