Woodworking And The Natural Progression Of Tools

January 18th, 2012

Making the transition from beginner to accomplished woodworker, and experiencing the changing of tools from hand-held to powered tools is easier with the right mindset and the right set of skills. When starting out in woodworking, you just can’t have too many resources to learn from. Pick out any simple project for your initial effort and just get going.

You have the choice of making something simple for your first project, or tackling a major job, like a detailed piece of furniture. Many woodworking ideas are tied to furniture, which usually involves a detailed set of blueprints that you have to comprehend and follow.

While you shouldn’t be afraid to tackle something new and challenging, you should start out with something you can handle and successfully complete – boosting your skill set and confidence level in preparation for the next project. The success of your first project depends on your identifying the right idea at the right time that matches you current skill level.

The following is a collection of great tips suggested by veteran woodworkers and is designed to help you get off on the right foot with your new woodworking hobby.

Always begin a new project with a good set of working blueprints. Make a complete list of the materials you will need. Choose a project that matches your woodworking skill level. Invest in the highest quality woodworking tools that you can afford. Learn as much about woodworking as you can before you pick up that first tool. Have a proper workspace devoted to your woodworking. Schedule enough time to successfully complete your project. Start small and simple, and work your up. Remember that practice truly does make perfect.

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The Beginning Woodworker And The Progression Of Tools

January 17th, 2012

For most beginning woodworkers, there is a progression of tools used – moving from the basic hand-held varieties of woodworking tools and evolving towards the latest development in power tools. The speed of this progression is largely dependent upon the woodworker: how fast he acquires the basic knowledge of woodworking, and how fast his skill level rises to the point where he is comfortable with and confident enough in his abilities to handle power tools.

Woodworking is a slow, gradual process that is acquired bit by bit over time. Many woodworkers spend years learning their craft, acquiring the knowledge and experience to advance to the next level.

Learning how to measure and cut, and how to use hand tools for joining is an important skill set, as is the knowledge of the different type of woods and their characteristics.

The beginning woodworker needs to acquire something resembling a sixth sense when it comes to safety issues. While there are any number of rules and guidelines that teach and instruct the beginner in safety issues, the safe workspace mindset is a developed instinct, combined with old fashioned common sense and applied to the wood shop environment.

Once the beginning woodworker has learned how to read a set of basic project plans or blueprints, accurately measure material for his projects, how to use the basic hand tools, has an understanding of the different types of woods available, knows how to select the best wood for a given project, and has experience in joining, he is ready to advance to more complex projects that usually involve the use of power tools.

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The Progression Of Woodworking Tools Over The Ages

January 16th, 2012

Wood was one of the first materials used by early humans. The Mousterian stone tools used by the Neanderthals were used on a variety of wood-oriented projects. Other very early examples of wooden tools include the worked sticks from Kalambo Falls, Clacton-on-Sea, and Lehringen. Some of the finest examples of wooden hunting accessories were the spears found at Schoningen, Germany.

Carved wooden vessels were found at the Linear Pottery culture wells at Kuckhofen and Eythra. Early wood carving includes coffins fashioned from tree trunks, discoverd in northern Germany.

Both the Egyptians and the Chinese were accomplished woodworkers. The Egyptians used copper and later brass to fashion their woodworking tools. Common early woodworking tools included axes, adzes, chisels, pull saws, and bow drills. Examples of mortise and tenon joints have been found in the earliest Predynastic period. These joints were strengthened with the use of pegs, dowels, and cord lashings. The ancient Egyptians invented the process of veneering and made widespread use of varnishes for finishing.

Lu Ban and his wife Lady Yun, of the Spring and Autumn Period are believed to be the leading proponents of ancient Chinese woodworking. Lu Ban is thought to be responsible for introducing the chalk line and the plane to Ancient China. Unfortunately, his memoirs “Lu Ban Jing” gives no clue as to the secrets of Chinese glue-less and nail-less joinery.

The early woodworkers tended us use materials native to their particular region until transportation and trade evolved to the point where woods could be imported from distant lands.

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The Role Of The Router In Woodworking Projects

January 13th, 2012

The router is a power tool used in a variety of woodworking projects to rout out, or hollow out, an area of wood. This tool is extensively used in cabinet making. The original non-powered version was a wooden hand plane with a narrow blade projecting out beyond its base plate. The hand-tool version is still in limited use today, although it has largely been replaced by the spindle router.

Routing is usually used with relatively weak material, such as wood. The basic equipment package includes an air or electric powered router, a router bit (which is the actual cutting tool) and a guide template. For easier control and handling, the router can be mounted to a table or connected to radial arms.

There are three basic types of router bits: fluted cutters, which are used for edging and trimming; profile cutters, used for shaping and trimming; and helical cutters, designed for easily machined materials for drilling, shaping and trimming.

Routers are available in a variety of variations – D handled, plunge, and double-knob handled. Offering multiple handle arrangements allows for better control with different configurations. Some models feature variable speed controls, and a soft start – meaning their speed is build up gradually. A router with a three horse power motor produces a lot of torque, and the router must be held with both hands for control.

Routers are capable of producing clean, accurate dovetail, mortises, a wide variety of moldings, dado’s, rabbets, raised panel doors and frames, cutting circles, and more.

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Tools For The Woodworking Hobbyist

January 12th, 2012

Tools common to the woodworking craft can be classified according to tools for measuring, for cutting, and for shaping. Frequently used power tools include a jigsaw, circular saw, router, belt sander, and a drill with a good assortment of bits. Beginning woodworkers usually start out with the basic tools and add to their collection as their skills progress.

Basic tools for measuring include a compass, folding ruler, tape measure, sliding level, framing square, and a combination square. Choose a tape measure that is at least 25 feet long, preferably 50 feet.

Woodworking involves doing a lot of cutting, so you’ll be using cutting tools on a regular basis. The basic cutting tool lineup includes a diagonal cutter, needle nose pliers, hacksaw, coping saw, back saw, rip saw, and a crosscut saw. Make sure you have plenty of spare blades for the hacksaw and rip saw, as these blades tend to break easily if you’re not using the saws properly.

Necessary tools for shaping and manipulating the wood include a smooth planer, angle block planer, an assortment of wood chisels, a round hasp, a flat hasp, a good utility knife with extra blades and a hand scraper.

Basic tools that should be everyone’s toolbox include both claw and finishing hammers, a wooden mallet, and flat tip and Phillips screwdrivers in a variety of sizes. A good sharpening stone is required to keep your tools sharp and safe.

All woodworking toolboxes should include basic safety equipment, such as eye and hearing protection, and a respirator or dust mask.

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Basic Woodworking Tools

January 11th, 2012

Chisels are an essential tool in woodworking, along with the circular saw, jigsaw, and router. There are a number of different chisels available, most of which are used for different and specific applications. Some styles and shapes are no longer being manufactured.

The beveled-edge bench chisel is short, providing maximum control. This chisel is beveled on the edges, providing easy access to dovetails. This is one of the most popular and widely used chisels in any woodworking shop, and is available in the widest range of sizes. The heavy-duty beveled-edge bench chisel is used in boat building, and other applications where the joinery is large.

Pairing chisels are lightweight, long, and thin. Their primary use is in shaving off thin strips of wood when fitting joints. The long length provides greater control. A must-have if you plan to do a lot of joinery.

Japanese bench chisels are about the same size as Western-made bench chisels. Japanese bench chisels have less of a bevel, and are designed for cutting soft woods without crumbling.

Sash mortise chisels are lightweight, easy to handle, and were designed for chopping the shallow mortises of a wooden window. These chisels work well for deep mortises. The heavy duty sash mortise chisel is just that – heavier and more of an all-purpose chisel.

Mortise chisels are heavy, and thicker than they are wide. Their large forged bolsters and oak handles can take just about any pounding you can dish out, yet they’re easy to handle. Many woodworkers have just one size of mortise chisel: one-fourth to three-eighth inches is the most common.

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Taking Care Of Tools In Your Woodworking Shop

January 10th, 2012

Woodworkers usually have a lot of money invested in their woodworking tools, many of which are specialty tools used only in woodworking. The proper care of their tools not only means safeguarding the investment they have made in their craft, but touches on the issue of workplace safety as well. A dull blade is a dangerous blade, not only to the woodworker but to anyone who happens to be in the immediate vicinity.

Every tool should be carefully wiped down when you have finished using it. Dirt and oily residue left on the working surfaces of tools can ruin the temper of bladed tools, and should be cleaned off as soon as possible. Tools that don’t work properly, or not as well as they should, will affect the quality of your work in short order.

If you get in the habit of wiping down your tools as you set them down, you will reduce the mount of time spent at the end of your workday on cleaning and general maintenance issues. If you have finished with that particular tool for the day, store it in its proper place after you have wiped it down.

All power tools should be carefully checked before use for damaged power cords and loose parts. If a power tool is not in perfect operating condition, don’t use it. Repair or replace bad cords, and tighten loose fittings as necessary.

Keep your woodworking workplace as clutter-free as you can. You’ll be able to find what you need, and can keep a better eye on tool maintenance issues.

Keep a safe workplace by using proper eye and hearing protection. Use a respirator and gloves whenever working with potentially toxic chemicals such as paints and solvents. And be sure to keep an ABC-rated fire extinguisher close by.

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Benchtop Woodworking Tools: The Oscillating Spindle Sandere

January 9th, 2012

An oscillating spindle sander is a bench top woodworking tool that sands the edges of boards. It features a sanding drum protruding through a small table top. The sanding drum moves up and down as it spins, helping to eliminate sanding grooves in the edge of the board. Proper care should be exercised when using this, or any power tool.

Spindle sanders are available in different sized table tops, and some can be angled up to 45 degrees, allowing for edge sanding of beveled boards. The larger tables also have a miter slot, permitting mitered boards to be sanded.

Oscillating spindle sanders can accommodate a variety of different sized drums, usually ranging from one-half inch to two inches in diameter. A belt sander option is available on some models, which basically converts the sander to an oscillating belt sander. This option uses the standard four inch wide belt found on belt sanders.

Four-inch sanding sleeves that fit over the sanding drums are available at most home improvement centers, and are available with sanding grits ranging from 60 grit (coarse) to 220 grit (very fine).

Most of the oscillating spindle sanders permit on-board storage for each sanding drum. To install a drum, slip a sanding sleeve of the same size over the drum you wish to use, slip the corresponding throat plate over the spindle, loosen the nut located at the top of the spindle bolt, and slide the drum onto the spindle bolt. Tighten the nut and start sanding. Be sure to always choose the correct throat plate for the particular sanding drum you plan to use.

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Proper Care Of Your Woodworking Tools

January 6th, 2012

Most woodworkers have a lot of money invested in their tools, and it makes sense to protect that investment by taking care of those tools through proper care and use. With just a little bit of time, you can ensure that your tools will in top condition and ready to go when you start your next project. Your basic goal is to maintain your woodworking tools in the same condition as when you first bought them.

Keep your tools sharp. Many woodworking tools are designed for cutting wood. A dull blade not only gives you a rough, uneven cut, it can be dangerous. Committing yourself to using the best quality bits and blades you can afford will not only noticeably improve the quality of your work, it will go a long way in creating a safer workplace.

Circular saw blades should be replaced when they start to become dull. It’s cheaper in the long run to spend a little more money for a higher quality saw blade than it is to pay a professional saw sharpener.

Router bits should also be replaced as they become worn or damaged. Again, buying the highest quality you can afford will usually pay off in terms of how much longer the higher quality bits and bit sets will last

Hand tools, such as planes, chisels, and gouges require you to have a good sharpening system. A grinder with a cool-running white aluminum oxide grinding wheel is a good choice for grinding your tools to the correct shape and honing a fine edge.

P.S. By the way, while you are on my site please feel free to check out my shopping page. There are 50 stores from which to buy and window shop from. There are items from books, printing needs to jewelry. It also includes Home Depot for all your shopping needs.

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Woodworking Tools For Turning Bowls

January 5th, 2012

When you get to the point in your woodworking projects that you need turning tools, keep in mind that most turning jobs can be accomplished with just a few basic tools. Modern turning tools tend to be of a higher overall quality and better design that the older carbon steel models. Today’s turning tools are usually made of M2 high speed steel, which holds an edge better than carbon steel, although they do take a bit longer to sharpen.

When bowl turning, choose tools that are sized to match the bowl blanks that you’ll be working with. For small bowls, a three-eighths inch bowl gouge will work fine. A half- inch or even larger is required for larger bowls. A set of miniature gouges, smaller than three-eighths inch, is what you need for miniature turning. As a general rule, go with the largest gouge that is still appropriate to the job at hand – larger gouges will give you more stability than smaller ones.

A good starter set of gouges for bowl turning would include a three-eighths, a one-half, and a five-eighths. If you’re working with a tight budget, and can only afford one, go with the one-half gouge. Remember to buy bowl gouges, not spindle gouges. Bowl gouges have a deeper flute than spindles, which makes them much easier to control.

You’ll probably also need a round nose scraper, preferably three eighths or one inch, for cleaning up curves inside the bowl. The scraper should be thick. Thinner scrapers have too much flex, which makes for poor cutting.

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