Carpentry tools needed in woodworking, range from simple hand tools to complex power tools. Using the right tool as per the need of a project is crucial for its flawless execution. Whether you are a novice woodworker or an expert in the field, you wouldn’t agree more about the importance of owning the right carpentry tools when you are serious about the carpentry business.
Here are the essential carpentry tools that every woodworker should have:
Claw Hammer: It is one of the basic carpentry hand tools, that is a must have in a carpenter’s tool box. This hammer features a claw on one side of the head and comes with a straight handle that has a comfortable grip. A claw hammer should be properly balanced in order to be used perfectly. The most commonly used hammer is of the size 20 oz.
Tape Measure: Everything you make in woodworking needs measures. Therefore, a good quality measuring tape is an indispensable carpentry tool. Ideally, a good retractable tape that is 25 feet long is good enough.
Chisels: Another important carpentry tool that a woodworker should have is a chisel. Choose the ones made up of high alloy carbon steel and those which come with a hardwood grip. They are a great tool to clean out joints and you must have them in varied sizes.
What Tools Do You Need to START Woodworking? Beginner Woodworking Tool List
Screwdrivers: You will need a variety of screwdrivers in your tool box. Make sure you choose high quality durable ones.
Detailed overview of the most important carpentry tools. 1st part.
Layout Square: Having a 6” layout square is generally convenient and sufficient. It is quite useful in marking square cuts on stock; you can also measure angles with it. It is best if you buy one made of metal as the ones made of plastic are pretty fragile.
Nail Set: A good quality nail set is another important carpentry tool that you must have. It actually looks like a small, round chisel and is used to sink nail health beneath the surface of the wood.
Level: Having a good level is important as it lets you check the level of your construction. Typically, 48” is a good length for most woodworking projects. Try to get those made of bras-edged wood or metal.
Block Pane: A block pane is one of the versatile tools in a woodworker’s arsenal. There are number of things you can do with it like flatten a piece of wood, shape of chamfer just by shaving away thin peels of wood with it.
Sliding Bevel: Woodworking often needs you to be measuring a couple of angles. That is where a sliding bevel can come in very handy as it can be adjusted and locked at an angle you need. It can save you quite a bit of time when you need to mark multiple angles.
Detailed overview of the most important carpentry tools. 2nd part.
Utility Knife: This small tool that can very well fit into your pocket is quite useful when it comes to cleaning the hinges of mortise, scribing woods and plenty of other times when a knife is needed. The most popular ones are the one that comes with disposable blades that can be retracted back to the grip after use.
The Hand Saw: A couple of quality hand saws are a must in a carpentry workshop. As per your needs, choose a coping and tenon saw, a dovetail saw and a hand miter saw. You must also have a couple of small saw for working on small pieces of wood.
These were some of the hand carpentry tools that are a must for any wood worker. Now, let us know some power carpentry tools that can be prove indispensable in woodworking:
Circular Saw: One of the most versatile power carpentry tools that you can own is a circular saw. It can be hand held and can be mounted on a table. A typical circular saw lets one set the depth of the cut and hence enables one to create narrow slots, dado cuts, etc. Since, it is a mobile device, it gives you the ability to carry out works that you cannot do on a table saw.
Power Drill: These corded power drills are not as expensive as their cordless counterparts, but they are more powerful. Since, it works when connected to steady power supply, it has a longer life. You will have a couple of options when buying these like you may opt for a straight or hammer drill or 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch chuck, keyless or a keyed chuck, etc. Carry a research about these features before you decide to buy one.
Router: It is advisable for every woodworker to have a router. It helps when you want to give shape to the edges of your work. For a newbie, a stationary base router is quite sufficient. Choose one that comes with electronic variable speed, is easy to make bit changes at is 2 HP.
Detailed overview of the most important carpentry tools. 3rd part.
Jigsaw: It is an awesome device that does an amazing work for cutting curves and circles. This is a hand held device and a must have power tool in a woodworking workshop.
Compound Miter Saw: If you plan to carry out some crown molding and similar other projects, a compound miter saw will be a good choice to have as it can make quick and accurate cuts.
Table Saw: This tool is the workhouse of a woodworking workshop. Therefore, it is important that when you buy one, you give a special emphasis on the quality. The work surface should be sturdy and must be able to withstand the kind of work you will be carrying out on it. It can rip, miter, join, groove and square. In the long run, you are going to find it indispensable.
Random Orbital Sander: This is a hand held device and can carry out great finishing work. Since, it has circular movements you do not have to look for the direction of grains to decide on which direction to move the sand paper. Since, it comes with a Velcro pad; one will take only a few seconds to change the sandpaper.
Lastly, it is important that you ensure all the needed safety measures are followed when using these carpentry tools. Also, do not go a shop for all these tools all at once. Get your basic right first and when the time is right upgrade to newer, sophisticated tools.
