Getting Started in Woodworking

"I am interested in getting into woodworking, what tools should I buy first?" This question is frequently asked in forums and discussion groups related to woodworking, it might be an easy question to answer if woodworking did not cover such a vast territory. What kind of woodworking are you interested in, furniture making, scrolling, turning, lawn ornaments, or general repairs and fix-up projects around the home?

There seems to be two ways to get started in woodworking, some go all out and fully equip a shop before tackling a project, others start small and let the tools accumulate as they are required. I would recommend the latter, woodworking is too broad of a hobby to jump into by spending thousands of dollars, chances are you will buy tools that you rarely use. One nice thing about woodworking is that there are so many different ways of accomplishing a task, for example dados can be cut with a table saw or a router, curves can be cut with a saber saw, a band saw or a scroll saw.

Good wood is expensive, it is not pretty seeing a grown man cry because he ruined a board worth half a days pay, so start with the cheaper varieties such as pine which is a nice soft easy to work wood, then try poplar which is harder when you have a better feel for your tools. For painted projects MDF or plywood, especially Baltic Birch, are easy materials to work with.

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Carpentry For Boys by J.S. Zerme, M.E. - online reprint

A book which treats, in a most practical and fascinating manner all subjects pertaining to the "King of Trades"; showing the care and use of tools; drawing; designing, and the laying out of work; the principles involved in the building of various kinds of structures, and the rudiments of architecture. It contains over two hundred and fifty illustrations made especially for this work, and includes also a complete glossary of the technical terms used in the art. The most comprehensive volume on this subject ever published for boys.

What You Need to Get Started In Woodworking

You will need some basic tools, no matter what kind of projects you plan to build, these would include, a hammer, screw drivers, drill and bits, a square, tape measure, and a saw. Last but not least you will need a bench to work on, workmates are ideal to start with and will always come in handy. With all tools buy the best that you can afford, even if it means going without one for a while, sooner or later a bargain will come along. Don't overlook used tools, I have picked up some fantastic tools for very reasonable prices at garage sales. Chances are that if you have done any home improvement jobs you may already have enough toools to get started.

Dust Mask

A dust mask is essential, wood shops are very dusty just by the nature of the hobby, cutting and sanding operations put dust particles in the air which will end up in your lungs. Some woods can be very toxic, reactions can occur over time that are irreversible, if this happens you may not even be able to go into your shop, let alone do any work in it. Don't take any chances, wear a dust mask and do what ever you can to eliminate as much dust as possible,

What Makes Dust Collection Important?

Hammer

Start with a 16 oz. Claw Hammer, this is a good general purpose weight, not to heavy for small nails, heavy enough for the larger ones.

Hand Plane

9" planes are a good size for general use, as time goes on you can add other types to your collection, probably a low angle block plane would be a logical choice next. Most hand planes out of the box need to be tuned up to get the best results.

Screw Drivers

You will need a set including flat, phillips and square drive bits, we know you will be using your drill to drive screws, so why do you need screw drivers you ask? You will need them because sometimes you just can't get at the screw head with that huge drill, besides everybody has screwdrivers in their tool box.

Drill

Get a good quality cordless drill, 14 volt models are a good size, they are strong enough yet not to cumbersome to hold. It should have variable speeds and be reversable.

Drill Bits

You will need a set of twist drill bits, from 1/16" to 1/4" for a start. As time goes by you can purchase the larger sizes as you need them, these can be spade bits, or better yet forstner. You will also want to get a set of screwdriver bits.

Square

Start out with a Combination Square, this will allow you to mark off both 90 and 45 degree angles, most also include a level. For construction and larger projects you will need a framing square.

Tape Measure

Select one with at least a 3/4" wide blade and 16' long, narrower blades are too floppy when you have to extend them any distance.

Safety Glasses

Get a pair of safety glasses that you feel comfortable with and wear them. Make safety a priority, "If it dosen't feel good, don't do it." Don't ever knownly put yourself in danger.

Saw

I believe it is best to start out with a good quality hand saw, around 20" long with 8 teeth per inch. Despite all the different types of power saws available you will be amazed at how many times in the future only this saw will work for certain jobs.

Workmate

Workmates not only serve as a bench but also work as a vise to hold boards for sawing or as a clamp when gluing.

As you use these tools you will find that you are limited in what you can do, you will find a need for many other hand tools such as clamps, more saws, chisels, sanding blocks, better measuring tools, a tool box and feel a deep need to get a few more power tools.

Power Tools

Some kind of saw is probably the first power tool you should get, I would recommend a circular saw and either make or buy a straight edge. With a sheet rack you will now be able to easily cut large sheet goods for your projects, then I would purchase a band saw so you can cut curves or rip these smaller pieces.

Either before or just after the band saw I would get a router, you will now be able to make dados and rabbets, it would also be a good time to build a router table. Don't get carried away with large sets of router bits, purchase quality bits as you find a use for them, most of the bits that come in these sets will hardly ever be used. You will have a choice of getting a plunge or a fixed base router with a 1/4" or 1/2" collet, I would go with a 1/4" plunge variable speed router for a start.

Router Bit Basics

From here on the sky is the limit, as you progress you will find that you want or need a planer, jointer, table saw, miter saw, radial arm saw, drill press, scroll saw, sander, lathe, and an air compressor with a nailer.

Free eBook

Talks about how to become a woodworker, the tools required and what they do. Will you become a woodworker after reading this book, not likely but it will get you started on the way.

Cedar Wishing Well

- Wishing well stands just over four feet tall, hexagon base is aprox. 22" across.

- Constructed with standard dimension material.

- Includes plans for cedar bucket and optional roof planter.

- .pdf file, once your purchase is made you will receive an email to immediately download it.

Plan # FC102

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