Woodworking
The art of woodworking involves creating attractive and functional items using wood such as cabinets, delicate tables, musical instruments, bowls, and other objects. It comprises various techniques like wood carving, joinery, and woodturning. Acquiring fundamental woodworking skills is relatively uncomplicated, and each project enables you to acquire additional expertise.
The use of wood, an early material choice for tools and utensils, played a crucial role in the development of various aspects of modern human life. The utilization of wood by early civilizations encompassed the creation of hunting tools, vessels, coffins, chairs, idols, and various other objects.
Woodworking has evolved alongside civilization, with modern technology enabling woodworkers to construct innovative equipment and tools and undertake complex projects, even though the core principles of the craft have remained largely unaltered.
Woodworkers
In the past, there were two prevailing stereotypes associated with woodworkers. One was the grumpy shop teacher who conducted dull classes for disinterested students, while the other was the elderly grandfather happily tinkering in his garage, leisurely crafting occasional birdhouses.
Fortunately, the stereotypes are no longer valid as woodworking has become more diverse than ever before, thanks to the emergence of online communities and the increased accessibility and affordability of tools and materials.
Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of people who have taken up woodworking as a hobby, specifically women. Not too long ago, it was uncommon to come across female woodworkers, but nowadays, it is quite ordinary. Woodworking is an activity that anyone can excel in, without any limitations.
Millennials, individuals in their 20s and 30s, have also experienced a significant increase in their demographic presence. I often come across individuals, particularly those working in Silicon Valley or engaged in office-based careers, who express a strong desire to engage in manual creativity.
Types of woodworking
There may be a perception in your mind regarding the nature of woodworking; however, individuals tend to approach this skill in diverse ways.
Hand tool woodworking
In the past two decades, there has been a significant resurgence in the practice of hand tool woodworking. Those who engage in this craft opt for traditional tools and techniques to construct various items. Rather than relying on power-operated equipment, hand saws, chisels, scrapers, and planes are favored by hand tool woodworkers.
As you begin, you may find it to be quite affordable, but as you enhance your abilities and passion grows, you’ll realize that owning a $200 precision hand plane is not uncommon.
The process of hand tool woodworking likely fosters a stronger sense of connection among practitioners compared to other types of woodworkers. It demands patience, entails a steeper learning curve, involves a slower construction pace, and operates in a considerably quieter manner. However, the resulting personal fulfillment and satisfaction can be immensely gratifying.
Woodworking using power tools.
Power tools such as miter saws, table saws, drills, sanders are ubiquitous and can be a very affordable way to start building projects right away. Cutting a board on a tablesaw doesn’t take anywhere near the skill and finesse of using a handsaw and takes a fraction of the time.
While there is a potential for power tools to cause severe injuries, it should not deter you from using them. However, it is crucial to acquaint yourself thoroughly with safety procedures. For additional tips, please refer to the Safety Basics video I have provided.
Woodworking in the digital age.
In recent years, digital machines have become increasingly affordable, attracting a growing number of hobbyists, despite their longstanding presence.
The main instrument utilized is the CNC machine, which employs a router to execute accurate cuts on flat wooden surfaces. It is necessary to outline and create the entire design digitally, and the machine will handle the remaining tasks, meticulously cutting out all the components. Moreover, you are not required to be in close proximity while it goes through the cutting process.
A laser cutter or engraver is another tool that hobbyists often acquire. With this tool, one can achieve even greater precision in cutting compared to a CNC machine, resulting in the creation of exquisite artwork.
The cost of digital machines is the foremost disadvantage, as they can easily amount to thousands of dollars. Moreover, they possess certain restrictions, therefore, you may still find the necessity of having a tablesaw and other power tools in your workshop. Additionally, a few individuals believe that digital tools diminish their sense of connection to woodworking and take away the gratification derived from crafting things manually.
Woodworking that combines different techniques and styles.
The majority of individuals possess a combination of hand tools and power tools in their workshops. For example, when engaging in woodworking, they might primarily rely on a tablesaw for making cuts while utilizing a chisel to manually cut dovetails. Some individuals believe that hand tools provide superior accuracy and mastery in cutting intricate joints, and they take pleasure in enhancing their abilities in such tasks.
Woodworking that deals with a specific area or skill
Some individuals, often those with an artistic inclination, choose to specialize in two distinct forms of woodworking – woodturning and scrolling.
Woodturning, similar to molding clay on a potter’s wheel, utilizes a lathe to craft round objects such as bowls and spindles. However, the main drawback of this skill is the relatively high cost of lathes.
Using a scroll saw is necessary for scrolling, as it enables the cutting of intricate patterns and extremely small curves. It requires practice to achieve proficiency, but it offers a calming experience and the opportunity to produce remarkable artwork. Unlike lathes, scroll saws are reasonably priced, emit minimal noise, and cause hardly any mess.
While you may find practical applications for both tools in a typical woodworking workshop, such as crafting occasional table legs or incorporating decorative scrollwork into an elegant bookshelf, they are not generally tools that will be frequently utilized.
Common woodworking terminology
To begin your journey as a woodworker, you will come across several phrases that encompass popular techniques. Presented below is a compilation of fundamental woodworking terminology to serve as a starting point.
Jointing
Jointing is a common technique for preparing the edges of wooden boards in order to glue them together, whether it be for flat surfaces or angled joints.
Planing
The process of planing involves the utilization of a planer machine or hand tool to even out and eliminate any extra material from wooden surfaces.
Routing
Routing involves using a tool called a router to shape, cut, and trim wood, ultimately creating finished edges and shapes. This technique is frequently employed for cutting grooves in cabinets and furniture.
Sawing
Starting a woodworking project usually involves the initial step of cutting wood using various sawing techniques, with each type of project requiring specific types of saws.
- Handsaws are lightweight, portable, and do not require a power source. They come in many shapes and sizes with a variety of blades.
- Circular saws are efficient, easy to use, and portable. They are particularly effective at cutting straight lines through the wood.
- Table saws are versatile, fast, and precise. The blade is exposed from below the work surface, and the material passes over the table to be cut. You can easily adjust the blade angles and depth for precise cuts.
- Chainsaws are portable saws used to cut wood using a chain, powered by gasoline, electricity, or a battery. It is best for initial rough cuts to shape a project, or for sourcing wood when felling or pruning trees for the material.
- Bandsaws are great for cutting curves, rounded edges, intricate shapes, and more. They come in many sizes, depending on the sizes of the stock you plan to cut and the intricacy of your project.
- Jigsaws are electrically powered and cut with a back and forth or up and down motion. The narrow blade makes them best used for cutting rounded shapes and curves.
Drilling
Holes are made in wood through drilling, utilizing a drill and bit. The drill driver rotates the drill bit either clockwise or counterclockwise. The selection of drill bits is determined by factors like the desired hole size, the material being worked on, or the bit’s speed. There is a wide variety of standard drill bits available, offering 47 different sizes.
Gluing
By applying glue, two or more pieces of wood can be effectively fused to form a larger object. When the process of gluing two pieces of wood is executed correctly, the resultant joint possesses greater strength compared to the individual wood pieces.
Sanding
Woodworkers typically utilize sanding as a final method to achieve a smooth wood surface through the application of sandpaper. The process often commences with a medium grit before progressing to a finer grit in order to complete the finishing task.
Finishing
The act of completing entails enhancing or safeguarding a wooden surface by employing either a penetrating or surface finish.
Intro to woodworking tools
When starting woodworking, you will utilize woodworking tools in order to cut, shape, join, and finish projects. Typically, there is a wide range of tool variations for each task, and the selection of the tool will be determined by the specific project you intend to work on. The following are among the frequently used tools and equipment in woodworking.
Saws
A saw is an essential tool in nearly every woodworking project, as it varies in types suitable for different materials, tasks, and purposes. Hand saws, with their portability and lack of power requirement, offer convenience. On the other hand, electric saws range from easily transportable circular saws to robust table saws designed for heavy-duty usage.
Blades
The kind of cutting a saw blade is used for is a crucial difference between them. Rough teeth are typically best suited for rip cutting, where the cut goes in the same direction as the grain. On the other hand, saws with finer teeth are employed for cross-cutting, which involves cutting perpendicular to the grain.
Drills
Depending on the size of your job, drills can be operated manually or with a motor. In case you are engaged in a power-less smaller project, a battery-powered drill would be a suitable choice. However, if your task demands greater strength and the drilling of deeper holes, purchasing a drill press would be a wise investment.
Clamps
Clamps are indispensable assets in joinery and are vital in the woodshop. They serve effectively as vises, or as an additional pair of hands to secure your project. Selecting the appropriate clamp will be contingent upon the size and scope of the current task.
Chisels
Chisels, which consist of a handle and a sharpened metal blade, are commonly employed with a mallet or hammer to shape and remove solid wood. Various types of chisels serve specific purposes. Paring chisels, being light in weight, are never struck with a mallet, whereas mortise chisels, being thick and heavy, are excellent for extracting material from hardwood.
Planers
Power planers, being electrical, are capable of swiftly planing a considerable surface area, while hand planers, operated manually, concentrate on smaller areas at a time, with the purpose of smoothing and eliminating excessive material from flat surfaces.
Sanders
Sanders are employed to achieve a smooth wood surface by utilizing sandpaper, typically starting with a coarse grit and progressing to a finer grit. Power sanders are effective for quickly working on extensive areas, while hand sanding is more suitable for smaller tasks.
Woodworking as a career
Modern woodworkers undergo technical training to acquire the necessary skills for designing and constructing various wooden items, including cabinets, boxes, musical instruments, and furniture, utilizing a range of equipment and tools.
After mastering the basic principles of woodworking, you have the option to pursue an apprenticeship, where you can acquire knowledge and gain practical experience alongside an experienced woodworker. Additionally, there are certification programs like the Woodworker Career Alliance, which provide educational courses and access to various woodworking prospects.
