ABOUT TOOLS
Tools can be a large expense and it is easy to go astray buying pretty, fun, exciting gadgets. If one is trying to exercise some control over their budget, there are two basic approaches to acquiring the tools for doing wood working. One approach is to work up a list of basic tools and purchase all them at once. The other is to purchase the tools that are required for the immediate project. The second approach means that the expenditures are spread over a longer period of time and that the tools are specific to the project. But, it also means that each project budget has to include tools as well as the usual supplies. Many people combine these two approaches by buying a smaller list of basic tools and then adding tools as they go along. Either way, one eventually has the tools on hand to do a wide variety of projects.
TOOL CATEGORIES
measuring tools
steel measuring tape
carpenters square
try square
calipers
hand tools
saw, hand saw, coping saw
drill, drill bits
chisel
plane
hammer
scrapers
rasp, file
screw driver
square ruler, measuring tape
clamps
brace and bits
draw knife, spoke shave
miter box
power tools
saws
drill presses
sanders
edgers
planers
hand drills
carving machine
jointer
biscuit cutter
router
jig saw
scroll saw
miter saw
special tools
dowel jig
glue gun
paint, varnish, stain brushes
work bench
bench vise
drill jig
Suggested list of basic tools for wood working
Decide whether you will work with hand tools or power tools. Hand tools are fine, remember that nearly all wood working was done with hand tools until modern times. Very fine quality projects can be made using hand tools and the work pace is slower which can emphasize the art side of wood working. On the other hand, power tools allow one to complete a project more quickly and sometimes with greater precision. One approach is to try the task and if the tools on hand don’t support your skills and goals, you’ll have a better understanding of the tools that you need to buy.
Tools everyone needs
claw hammer
steel tape measure
three sizes of straight bladed screw drivers
three sizes of phi lips head screw drivers
carpenters square
try square
spring clamps
c-clamps
furniture clamps
work bench
Hand tools for those doing wood working by hand
hand saw
keyhole saw
coping saw
wood chisel
hand drill, bits
plane
scraper
Power tools for those doing wood working with power tools
drill motor, bits
jig saw
table saw
hand held sander
belt sander, bench mounted
biscuit slot cutter
