Woodworking is a fantastic pastime that not only keeps you occupied but also produces tangible items that can have a variety of uses. There is an overwhelming number of tools and general equipment available on the market but in reality, most tasks can be effectively completed using a relatively small number of basic tools.
Remember, some of the most treasured furniture ever made were from times in history when things like power tools and CAD (Computer Aided Design) were not available. Not that power tools will be excluded from our list, it’s just an illustration that great things can be achieved using limited resources.
Measurement
Accuracy is paramount in woodworking; even a millimetre of error can ruin a complex joint. Firstly, you need some tools that ensure your cuts are precise.
- Tape measure: a cheap and easy way to make rough measurements
- Pencil: pretty standard marking tool
- Marking knife: critical for scoring precise lines before cutting or chiselling, it scores the wood fibres, leading to cleaner cuts
- Set or try square: a fixed 90-degree angle
- Combination square: featuring a ruler and adjustable heads for 90 and 45 degree angles and often includes a level
- Bevel gauge: to copy angles from one section to another
- Spirit level: for checking that surfaces are level or plumb
Cutting
Clearly to make furniture, you need to cut the wood, the two main groups are powered and hand saws. Only hand saws can be seen as truly essential but powered makes life a whole lot easier.
Hand saws
- Panel or rip saw: general purpose with a long blade
- Tenon saw: with a reinforced spine for more precise cuts
- Mitre saw: for cutting at angles, powered versions of this type of saw are also available
- Coping saw: a thin blade allows curves and intricate angles
Power saws
- Table saw: an expensive option when compared to manual saws but gives unsurpassed accuracy and speed
- Circular saw: quick for straight cuts across sheets
- Jigsaw: for curves, circles and intricate shapes
If you opt for the powered route, you may decide that some of the hand saws are obsolete but if finances allow, they are worth having for quick jobs.
Shaping and Smoothing
Sawn wood is rarely smooth enough to use in its raw form so a number of tools are needed to produce a usable component.
- Orbital sander: sandpaper is essential but a sander makes things so much easier and they are relatively cheap
- Chisels: used for precise work on surfaces and clearing out joints like mortice and tenons; a basic set of 4, ranging from ¼ inch to 1 inch, is a good place to start
- Planes: a standard bench plane would suffice for most people but other types of plane may be applicable for specialist jobs
- Files and rasps: for detailed shaping, curves and refining irregular areas that a plane cannot reach
Assembly
Finally you’ll need some equipment to put all your efforts together:
- Drill: hand drills are available but a power drill is a fairly standard piece of kit nowadays for drilling holes and driving screws
- Clamps and glue: a joint is much more likely to be effective if it is clamped in place while the glue goes off; they come in a variety of sizes from bar clamps down to quick-grip clamps
- Mallet: for striking chisels or gently persuading tight joints into place without damaging the wood
- Hammer: nails are not the usual fare of a master craftsman but as a general utility tool, a hammer is always useful
The best advice for beginners is to start small and invest in quality over quantity. A high-quality table saw, a sharp set of chisels, and a robust clamp collection will serve you better and last longer than a box full of cheap tools. As your skills grow and your projects become more complex, you can gradually add specialised tools, such as routers, bandsaws, and lathes.
