Hand Tools for Woodworking – A Detailed Guide
Posted by Dave the How To guy | do it yourself | Posted on May 23rd, 2010
A very popular and relaxing hobby today is woodworking. When you start getting into woodworking, you will need a variety of woodworking tools . But don’t be afraid you don’t need to spend a fortune to get started. If you shop for used or discount tools you can build your collection without spending a fortune.
Used hand tools don’t lose their quality over time. Yes you may have to sharpen them but once they’re sharp they are as good as new.
Below you will find a list of tools that you should have in your tool box. Some of them are no brainers like below.
- 16 ounce claw hammer - tape measure - hand saw - screwdrivers
- level - pliers - wrenches - hack saw
- sand paper - and don’t forget safety glasses
Squares are important for making things square and accurate. You will need a framing square or a carpenter square for larger projects. A try square is for smaller projects and is often used in furniture making. These come in sizes from three to twelve inches. A combination square has two pieces: a head on a steel blade. Squares that are marked in inches and metric are very useful. Squares are great tools for measuring 45 or 90 degree angles, straight edges, setting pitches and angles etc.
Chisels are used for many projects like setting hinges and making notches etc. You should look for high quality, durable chisels, as these will get a lot of use. You will also need a variety of chisels in sizes from ¼ to 2 inches wide, for use on different projects. You can use chisels by hand or you can tap them with a wood mallet.
Clamps are needed for gluing projects together and just being an extra hand when needed. A wide variety of sizes and types are available. There are bar and pipe clamps for large jobs. C clamps and quick grips are used for smaller jobs and pinch clamps for very small jobs. These are generally inexpensive, so pick them up whenever you find them. These can often be found in good condition “used”. Pick them up whenever you find them cheap and build your collection as you never know when you will need one.
Hand planes are made of steel or wood and are used for a variety of purposes. A jack plane is used for rough shaping and comes in twelve to fifteen inch sizes. Smoothing planes are good for fine cuts and are eight or nine inches long. A block plane is used for trimming and small project or places.
Drills are an important tool to have for many different tasks. Though you can buy hand or manual drills this is really a tool of the past. Today they come in corded or cordless models. Though these are power tools they are still hand tools and an important part of your tool box. Corded drills not only work great but are also less expensive. You need to look for ones with features including reverse, variable speed controls and keyless chuck. If you want to buy a cordless drill, look for high voltage batteries and name brands if you want to be happy with your purchase. You also want to look for a model with two batteries, so one can be charging while you work with the other. You will never stop buying accessories for your drill (drill bits etc.) in order to complete your many woodworking projects.
Next time we’ll talk about Where to Find Your Woodworking Tools.
Remodeling Your Kitchen on a Budget: Doing it Yourself
Posted by Dave the How To guy | do it yourself | Posted on May 15th, 2010
Last time we talked about one idea for remodeling your kitchen on a budget. Here are some more ideas that really work.
Doing the work yourself
You can save a lot of money when remodeling your kitchen by doing the work yourself. It may not be as easy as using a professional contractor, but it is definitely less expensive and more rewarding. Even if you are unfamiliar with some of the work that needs to get done you may be able to learn or just hire someone for that particular aspect. You can find a number of resources on the internet or in your local book stores, or your library.
If you are planning far enough ahead you may also be able to attend a course at your local college on remodeling that could help you a lot. These resources can make a big difference in your confidence and knowledge and therefore make it much easier for you to remodel your kitchen yourself. In fact, most of the time, all you need is a plan and a set of directions to follow and you should be good to go.
In the process of deciding whether to do the work yourself or not you could have a couple professionals in to give you a design and a price. Then if you decide to do it yourself you have a plan you could use to go by.
Where you buy your supplies
Whether you decide to do your kitchen remodeling all at once or not, you will want to keep an eye on where you buy your materials. Where you buy your supplies will have a huge impact on how much a 
kitchen remodeling project costs.
Shopping at one of your local home improvement stores will probably save you the most money. Though the Big Box home improvement stores that operate on a national level will have the biggest selection and will carry everything that you need to undergo a kitchen remodeling project.
I think you should also check out the smaller maybe independent centers as well as they can and often give you more personal service. They all should carry or be able to get all the tools and materials you will need for your project. They should have supplies such as kitchen sinks, plumbing pipes and supplies, kitchen flooring, as well as light fixtures.
Despite these tips, you may still find the money just isn’t there to remodel your kitchen. If this is the case, you may want to focus on just redecorating. Simply by painting your kitchen or changing the curtains or even by changing your kitchen towel theme, you could get the feel of a new kitchen. While this might not be exactly what you were looking for or had hoped for, it is an alternative that may just give you what you need for now.
Recent Posts
- Wood Floors Deliver Better Air Quality
- Say Goodbye to Clutter
- Considerations when Comparing Power Tools
- Things to Know About Porter-Cable Power Tools
- Things to Know about Bosch Power Tools
Categories
- do it yourself (64)
