For a novice woodworker, there are many questions to be answered to start working on a beginner woodworking project. Such as where to start, what tools to use, what tools are better than the other ones, and later, how to make the best use of different tools to get the work done in some good fashion. Before getting started on woodworking projects for beginners, you must have a good knowledge about the tools that will be used in the art of woodworking.
It’s about getting yourself aware which tools are essential for a beginner woodworker and which are not.
Wooden table – Suitable for beginner woodworking projects
To get started with woodworking projects as a beginner, I will suggest that don’t buy heavy machines in the beginning of your work, you are a beginner and are supposed to make yourself familiar with some basic tools. Make yourself comfortable with what you have, so it will be easy for you that what tools to buy next for your beginner woodworking projects.
Begin with some hand tools like screwdrivers, hammer, nails, some chisels, some clamps, a hack saw, square, and work table. As far as power tools are concerned, you should go for jigsaw and a drill at this stage of new woodworking projects. Whenever you buy tools, be extra careful about its quality. If you can afford to buy good quality tools, then you should buy it, but in case if you don’t want to spend too much money on buying good quality tools because you think you are a beginner,then you can rather buy cheap ones, that will develop good sense in you about using different tools properly. Later you can buy good quality tools to really get started with your woodworking adventures.
When you get yourself familiar with the aforementioned tools, you can then buy a circular saw, which works faster than a jigsaw, and you can get a straight cut accurately and easily with it. Also, you can get a good use of it if you need to cut large plywood sheets. For beginning woodworking projects,you might need a workbench with some vise on it and it would be worthy to get some hand plane as well. When you acquire above mentioned tools, you can start working on beginner woodworking projects such as storage shelving, simple sturdy workbench, bed from 2×4 lumber, storage shelves, shoe rack, simple table etc.
there are a lot of handtools you can get for beginner woodworking projects, but particularly on this stage, it’s time to get some stationary tools.
Another simple woodworking project for beginners – Treasure box
The best ones are a table saw and drill press. You need to spend some money to buy stationary tools though.To get a smooth cut on a table saw, you would need to get a hybrid table saw, it’s very useful as you can buy some quality saw blade for it if you need to, because with quality blade and good table saw, you can get a smooth cut easily, even without doing hard work for that in order to have some good beginner woodworking projects.
There are some more stationary tools for your beginner woodworking projects to get, such as a contractor saw, drill press, cabinetmaker saw, surface planers, jointers, radial-arm saws, band saws, boring machines, grinders, sanders, shapers, etc.
Now it’s time to discuss some woodworking tools not to buy.You are not recommended to buy tools which you don’t need it yet for beginner woodworking projects. There are many tools having multi purposes, are not recommended to buy because you need to convert the machine every time you use it’s by switching its functions. Another reason not to buy such tools is that they are good at one or two functions only, and are not good when it comes to its other functions. And its cost is very high that you could have managed several good specialized tools instead.So it’s better to have specialized tools.
By using such tools, you will finish your beginner woodworking projects at good pace and quality. Another tool that is not recommended to buy for in the beginning woodworking stage is lathe. You might only need it for a wood turning purpose. It’s not that you should never buy lathe, but buy it only when you desperately need it, because it’s not that kind of a must have tool like a drill or a table saw.
To get started with your first woodworking projects, you should know the exact purpose of tools, so that you won’t feel any irritation during woodworking projects. Let’s take a look some tools below, listed on the base of its properties:
Beginner Woodworking Tools Based On The Properties
Cutting Tools: Ripsaw (7 ½ or 6 ½ pt.), crosscut saw (12 pt.), dovetail saw or backsaw (15 tpi), hacksaw, coping saw, needle nose pliers, slip joint pliers, and diagonal cutters.
Measuring Tools: For measuring purposes in beginner woodworking projects, youwill needmarking gauge, sliding bevel, framing square, combination square, steel tape, compass, folding rule, and a scratch awl.
Joining Tools: Finish hammers (8 oz.), claw hammers (16 oz.), wooden mallet, nail set, doweling jig, screwdrivers (Philips, straight), clamping system or bench vise, pipe clamps or bar (2-5” and 2-3”), c-clamps, and hand crews.
Shaping Tools: For shaping purposes in your beginner woodworking projects, you will need, low angle block plane, single cut mill bastard file, low angle block plane, smooth plane, flat rasp, rounds rasp, utility knife, hand scrapers, and cabinet scraper.
Power Tools (Portable): Circular saw (7 ¼”), twist drills (1/16-3/8), drill (3/8” variable speed), brad point drills bits, rabbet, jigsaw, dual action pad sander (orbital and straight line), router (1 hp. ¼” collet), belt sander (3×21” with dust collection), and spade shaped drill bits.
Safety and Maintenance: During beginner woodworking projects you will need following tools for safety: Hearing protector, safety glasses or face shield, sharpening stone (coarse/fine, dual purpose), and a respirator or dust mask.
As we know and as it seems, woodworking is dangerous work to do. For that, here are some rules of thumb to follow in your beginner woodworking projects for safety purposes:
- Don’t work if you are distracted or even tired.
- Don’t wear lose clothes, long sleeves, or jewelry.
- Read the manual before you use any tool.
- Protect eyes and ears by wearing specific safety equipment.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol during work.
- Use sharp blades and bits because it throws particles.
- Unplug power tools before changing its blades.
- Check for screws, metals and nails when you are going the wood.
