Everybody
starting should have a close look on certain woodworking tools. In the following
article I would like to explain some basic tools in more detail.
For obvious reasons this is just an overview and some hand tools you should
own or might think about buying. Some of these woodworking tools are around
for over centuries hand have not changed much.
Some other
have been improved widely over the past years. Here
an overview on key tools:
Woodworking
Tools : Chisels
A good set
of chisels is key in every set of woodworking tools. I prefer Robert
Sorby chisels with an octagonal shaped boxwood handles. After many
years of working with a variety of different chisels from Kirsch, Stanley to Bahco - I stick with Sorby's chisels. Steel quality and the excellent fit of the handle in the hand make them my fist choice.
The blades
edges are honed to a 20° bevel with an leather washer to absorb vibration. The excellent steel quality of Robert Sorby woodworking tools guarantees an enormous blade life time. As far as sizes are concerned your case with woodworking tools should have at least 4 different sizes (I would strongly recommend 6 sizes) ranging from 3/8" up to 1 1/4" of
width.
Woodworking
Tools : Squares
A set of squares
is another important item in you tools. Look for
high accuracy - preferably up to 0.003" or
less and please keep in mind that every type of measuring device is the corner
stone for your future woodworking project. Spend a little bit more on high
precision squares and rulers - because this woodworking tools will stay
with you for a very very long time.
Make
sure that the square is made out of stainless steel and got markings on
one side of the rule. As far as size is concerned I recommend at least a
square 6" long for your day to day work. Another shorter square 3" or 4" long
could also be handy for your woodworking tools box.
Tip
: The Nobex Adjustable Miter Square
When you look
for a good square - please check the Nobex Quattro adjustable miter square.
I came across one some months ago at a friends workshop and found it very
handy. Similar to a traditional square, it can also be locked in different
additional angles (45 and 135°). My friend owns the 6" square
- but a long - 14" square
is also available. As it can be folded together it will not need much space
in your woodworking tools box. The ideal tool for your tool box.
Further Tools
: Hand Saws
Out of the
hundreds of different tools for woodworking- saws are certainly one of the
most important. I will not try to list all the different types of hand saws
available - but just explain into more detail my favorite one. Some
years ago, when the 'japanese tools wave' started I bought a trim saw.
Equipped with different teeth on both sides of the blade it is one of these
saws I would never ever want to miss. First used for a house
improvement job (trimming doors for a new floor in my house), I stick to
this saw for nearly every cuttingtask in my workshop. So when you next time
at your hardware store nearby, check out Japanese trim saws as the are really
wonderful hand tools.
Sharpening
Stones
Sharpening
your tools is for some woodworkers more than just a task - it is more like
an art. Depending on the woodworker you ask you will get hundreds of different
opinions on what stone to use, what lubricant to use and which way to best
sharpen your woodworking tools.
For my sharpening
I use a Tormek water cooled grinder and a set of diamond stones to finish
the blades. The diamond stones are made of a plastic base with a metal sheet
on top of it. This metal is covered by crystalline diamond particles. I first
bought a diamond stone to sharpen my HSS carving tools, but than discovered
that they work very well for my other tools like planer blades
and chisels.
Woodworking Tools Maintenance
Whatever
you own or buy, keep in mind that tools need some kind of maintenance.
Keep them free of dust and clean them up properly after
having used them. After all tools are the base of your work.
Without them you will never succeed in your projects. This may sound sentimental
but woodworking tools mean more to me than just tools.
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