Woodworking tools refer to the instruments used in the craft of working with wood.
1. Chisels
Chisels, which are diverse hand tools for woodworking, can be made from different materials and come in various shapes and sizes for cutting, chipping, carving, and smoothing surfaces and materials.
2. Hammer
Hammers are available in different sizes, weights, handle lengths, and materials. Although there is no one-size-fits-all woodworking hammer, carpenters and construction workers can benefit from claw hammers and mixed hammer sets that include a variety of hammers in different types and sizes, suitable for different striking or positioning tasks.
3. Hand saw
If quick tasks or precise cuts are needed, hand saws are a straightforward and convenient tool to use. It is advisable to have a few hand saws in your workshop, such as carpenter’s saws or an adjustable hacksaw. For a consistently seamless cut, it is worth investing in hand saws with sharp blades that are of excellent quality.
4. Mallet
Mallets have large heads made of wood, plastic, metal or rubber, which gives them a softer nature compared to the majority of other hammers. The reason for their large head is to better absorb shocks when striking, resulting in minimal marks. As a result, they are commonly utilized for tapping wood joints together. Wooden mallets are specifically crafted for softer impacts, followed by rubber, rawhide, plastic, lead, copper, bronze, and other metals.
5. Hand planes
The main purpose of a hand plane is to shape, smooth, and flatten rough wood or curved boards. Functioning similarly to a razor, a plane gradually removes thin layers of wood until the board becomes straight and smooth. When selecting a hand plane, one should take into account the different blades and depths that are available.
6. Sandpaper
Sandpaper is an excellent instrument for the purpose of smoothing, finishing, and polishing woodwork. In order to engage in woodworking successfully, it is advisable to possess a diverse range of sandpaper, as various grits are necessary. Coarser grits, represented by lower numbers, are more suited for rapid material removal, whereas finer grits, indicated by higher numbers, are more suitable for finishing and polishing tasks.
7. The tape measure
When considering the woodworking process, the subsequent significant hand tool is a precise tape measure. It is advisable to acquire a retractable tape measure that has a length of at least 25 feet as using a longer one often leads to difficulties in rolling it back up.
To guarantee accuracy on large-scale projects, it is essential to securely attach the “hook” or tab at the end, without any flexibility, as even the slightest measurement variations can greatly affect the measurements. Loose attachments may result in variations of up to 1/8″, and over time, this can lead to significant accuracy issues.
8. The utility knife
Another valuable tool for woodworkers is a good utility knife, with the most common type being the one that utilizes disposable blades. For safety purposes, the blade of this knife can be retracted into its grip. Woodworkers rely on the utility knife for various tasks such as clearing out mortise joints or scribing wood, along with numerous other applications.
9. The moisture meter
A wood moisture meter of good quality is crucial for the overall success of any woodworking project that you undertake. Lumber mills make an effort to dry their lumber batches based on the destination where the final product will be used. For instance, if the wood is collected from the damp Northeast but transported to the dry Southwest, it will undergo a more thorough drying process compared to the wood that remains in the Northeast for woodworking purposes.
The correct moisture content levels of the woods you use for your area of the country are crucial for the success of your woodworking project, be it wood flooring, kitchen cabinets, or fine furniture.
Certain moisture meters come with pins that pierce the wood’s surface, resulting in small holes that can blemish the surface and necessitate filling. On the other hand, there are pin-less moisture meters equipped with sensing plates that examine the wood underneath.
When considering pinless moisture meters, it is important to note that they are not all equal. It is advisable to search for a moisture meter that utilizes technology unaffected by the moisture present on the wood’s surface, like Wagner moisture meters equipped with IntelliSense™ technology.
10. The level
When it comes to woodworking, having a few levels is essential. While you might not require a 6-foot level commonly used in construction, a 48-inch one is suitable for most woodworking projects. Additionally, an 8-inch level, often referred to as a torpedo level, is usually necessary. These levels will help you ensure that your construction is both level (horizontal) and plumb (vertical).
11. The screwdriver
Screwdrivers are an essential part of a woodworker’s collection of hand tools. It is crucial to have well-built screwdrivers for effective functionality. Unfortunately, many screwdrivers are constructed using low-quality materials, causing them to strip and become useless with any applied force.
In order to complete the task, you will require a heavy-duty, square-bladed screwdriver that is long in length, providing ample torque. Additionally, you will need screwdrivers of both small and medium sizes, intended for slotted screws.
To work on cabinets or in narrow woodworking spaces, you require a screwdriver featuring a slender shank to access screws located within deep holes. This goal is achieved by using a specialized tool known as a cabinet screwdriver.
To cover all your needs, it would be wise to obtain a pair of medium-sized Phillips head screwdrivers, as well as a stubby one for handling those narrow spaces. Additionally, considering the potential benefits, a ratcheting screwdriver could also be worth considering.
12. The Nail set
The next essential tool for woodworkers is a nail set, which should be available in multiple sizes. Resembling awls, these tools are utilized to sink nail heads into the wood so that they are either flush with or slightly below the surface. This enables you to fill the holes and ready the wood for staining or painting.
The nail setter typically possesses either a convex or concave surface, enabling it to grip the nail securely and prevent it from slipping off and damaging the wood.
13. The sliding bevel
If you need to measure a lot of angles, a sliding bevel, also called a T-Bevel, would be a useful tool to have. It can be adjusted and locked at the desired angle for marking, making it more efficient for marking multiple angles.
14. . Table saw
The power tool commonly found in workshops is known as a table saw. Table saws, also referred to as contractor saws, are used to make accurate straight or angled cuts. These saws have a circular blade that rotates and is positioned beneath a table to provide support while cutting a piece.
15. Circular saw
Circular saws have a blade that is round and rotates, allowing for accurate straight, cross, and beveled cuts in wood or other materials.
Circular blades range in size from 3-3/8 inches to approximately 11 inches in diameter for ordinary cutting purposes. General-purpose circular saws are equipped with blades on either the left or right side, depending on the user’s dominant hand. These saws also feature higher RPM (rotations per minute) and lower torque compared to metal-cutting circular saws as they are specifically designed for cutting wood.
16. Miter saw
Miter saws have the ability to make straight, angled, and beveled cuts similar to circular saws. They have a small table with a descending blade that allows for cutting against or with the wood grain. Additionally, miter saws offer the option to cut vertical and beveled angles at the same time. The diameter of the miter saw blades varies from 7-1/4 to 12 inches.
17. Jigsaw
When there is a need for cutting curves, using a jigsaw is highly recommended as it is a top-notch tool for this purpose. Jigsaws are equipped with a blade that has the ability to move up and down, enabling the cutting of curved or straight shapes in various surfaces such as wood, walls, ceilings, and floors. Unlike other types of saws, the narrow and straight blade of a jigsaw facilitates more precise corner connections.
18. Drill and driver combo
Corded and cordless power drills are frequently used tools for woodworking tasks because they can be utilized with different attachments, such as sanders and rounding bits, in addition to making holes. A convenient option is a cordless drill and driver combination kit, which allows you to use the drill for hole-making purposes and the driver for fastening screws.
19. Lathe
The process of wood turning is made possible by the use of a lathe, which is a vital tool for crafting chair legs, bowls, and spindles. By rotating wood pieces at a high speed, these pieces can be carefully shaped using specially designed chisels and gouges.
20. Sanders
In many cases, woodworkers utilize two kinds of sanders: a sheet sander or a random orbit sander. The sheet sander’s square form enables it to fit into narrow corners and edges. It is commonly employed for gentle sanding, paint removal, or surface preparation.
Random orbit sanders are equipped with a circular sanding surface and adjustable speed options, which provide enhanced control and decrease the visibility of grain scratching. Due to their ability to remove more material, random orbit sanders are commonly favored for the process of refinishing wood floors and cabinetry.
21. The layout square
The 6″ and 12″ sizes are available for a layout square, or combination square. The 6″ model is commonly used by woodworkers due to its convenience for transportation. Additionally, since most woodwork stock is not wider than 6″, the 12″ size is unnecessary.
The layout square, which is shaped like a triangle, serves the purpose of marking square cuts on stock. After determining the length of the cut, you align the layout square with the edge of the board. By utilizing the short side, you can achieve a straight and square cut across the end grain.
The layout square can also be used to measure angles. This is beneficial when measuring for a bevel on a table saw or marking a cut for a miter saw. Additionally, the layout square can be utilized to determine an already existing angle.
To ensure durability, it is advisable to purchase a metallic one as opposed to a plastic variation, which is both delicate and prone to warping, rendering it ineffective.
22. Wood glue
Wood glue is an essential tool in many workshops as it is commonly used to join boards for cutting. For woodworking, furniture repair, and carpentry tasks that will not be exposed to the elements, general-purpose wood glue is ideal. However, water-resistant wood glues are specifically designed for outdoor carpentry projects.
23. Mineral spirits
Mineral spirits have numerous applications in a workshop, ranging from paint removal to wood surface cleaning. They are frequently employed for eliminating dirt, polish, wax, dust, and oil from wood; however, caution is necessary when handling them due to their flammability, as they can readily pose a fire hazard.
24. Sawhorses
It is recommended to purchase at least two sawhorses for your workshop, as they are typically used in pairs to hold wood boards for cutting or painting.
25. Clamps
Having a good assortment of clamps in your workshop is crucial as they are regularly employed to hold pieces of wood together during the drying process of glue. With various types and sizes available, they assist in finding the suitable clamp for any task.
26. Hearing protection
Using certain power tools, such as a table saw, for extended periods of time can result in significant noise levels that can potentially harm your hearing. However, you can protect your hearing over time by using affordable earplugs or earmuffs. This guide will provide further clarification on the distinctions between these two options.
27. Dust mask
It is important to note that sawdust and various chemicals have the potential to cause significant harm to your lungs, particularly if you have been working in your shop for an extended period of time. To mitigate the risks associated with these hazardous substances, it is advisable to wear a dust mask. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that your working space is adequately ventilated, especially when handling paint thinner or other chemicals.
