Wood Work Beginners Tool Kit
To begin woodworking you will need some basic tools. But don’t rush out and fill your basket at your local DIY store. Look into buying second hand woodwork tools which could net you a much finer beginners tool kit and possibly for less money.
There are some fine quality new woodworking tools on the market today and we will discuss these in great depth in the future, but old and antique wood working tools were often made using finer quality steel than many of the mass produced, disposable tools found in many DIY stores today.
In this article we will be concentrating on using handtools for woodwork, as this is what most of you will be starting out with.
The Basics - What will I need?
- Saws
- Chisels
- Measuring and Marking
- Jigs and guides
Saws
Saws are used for general dimensioning through to fine cuts. Saws fall into two main categories
- Western Saws
- Japanese Saws
Chisels
Chisels are used for removing material through to fine work. There are many types of chisel and each has a specific purpose. Often people will buy one set of bevel edged and use them for all general chisel work, but using a tool designed specifically for a job can make work much easier and enjoyable.
Types of chisel include:
- Bevel Edged Chisel
- Firmer Chisel
- Mortice Chisel
- Paring Chisel
- Skew Chisel
- Dovetail Chisel
You can read our articles on Western Saws and Japanese Saws but the idea is to size the lumber to the approximate size. You will finish the
Measuring and Marking Tools
Accurate measuring and marking can make a great deal of difference to the quality of your finished project.
If there is one part of your toolkit that it might be worth buying new, this measuring is it. How square is square? How accurate is that tape measure?
I have purchased a number of second hand measuring and marking tools and have always been rather disappointed with the accuracy of them when I get them back to the workshop and put them through their paces. Having said that, I have also been disappointed in some new measuring tools!
However, if that new square isn’t quite square then you can send it back, but if you buy secondhand, often there is little or no way to get your money back.
My advice when it comes to measuring and marking tools is to buy new and buy well.
Jigs and Guides
One thing I have always read and been told is “make a jig” or “make a guide” to help you. It might seem like a waste of time and it isn’t always necessary, but you can get much more accurate results if you do. These are mostly used in conjunction with power tools, but some work equally well with hand tools. The big bonus of a jig or guide is re-use. If you need to make a second, third or more of a project, you already have the jigs ready to do so. We will cover more on jigs in the future