| Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 4 - Tools For | | | | after cleaning.The blade will eventually need sharpening. |
| ShapingA civilization's maturity and intelligence is judged, | | | | The angle and shape of the cutting edge are critical to |
| in part, by the diversity and sophistication of its tools. | | | | accurate performance and vary depending on the |
| When it comes to woodworking, the human race is | | | | plane. If you are uncertain, check any instructions that |
| quite advanced. There are general tools that work well | | | | came with the plane or bring the tool to an |
| in many situations, and there are specialty tools made | | | | expert.Chisels & Gouges |
| for one specific purpose. There are tools that require | | | | Chisels and gouges are used to remove sections or |
| only manpower and a rudimentary knowledge, and | | | | pieces of wood to get a certain shape. They generally |
| others that utilize computer programs, a wide range of | | | | consist of a blade with a cutting edge attached to a |
| knowledge, and a powerful motor. We have even | | | | wooden handle. The main difference between the two |
| learned how to harness power for our tools and | | | | is the shape of the cutting edge. A chisel has a |
| package it in a small battery component, giving us the | | | | straight, beveled edge that makes straight marks while |
| freedom to take our tools wherever we need them.It | | | | a gouge has a curve to it. There are numerous types |
| is truly amazing and wonderful to contemplate the | | | | and sizes of chisels and gouges, including those |
| vast number of tools and all that woodworkers are | | | | designed especially for woodcarving. That group is |
| capable of doing and creating with the help of these | | | | discussed in greater detail in the woodcarving section |
| tools. And for many people, working with tools is one | | | | of this book.A chisel can be pushed with your hands or |
| of the thrills, or even obsessions, of | | | | struck with a mallet for more force. Gouges are used |
| woodworking.Woodworking and related tools have | | | | to remove wood and also to create certain shapes or |
| become so popular that there are numerous | | | | features. They have curved cutting edges, ranging |
| companies that manufacture these tools and | | | | from a nearly flat C shape to a deep U. The shape |
| thousands of places to purchase them. Combine that | | | | and depth of the curve is called the sweep and is |
| with the vast numbers of different types of tools and it | | | | identified by a number known as the Sheffield list |
| can get overwhelming, especially if you are new to | | | | number. Tools with the same shape and depth of |
| woodworking. Our experts helped us focus on the | | | | curve will have the same Sheffield number no matter |
| basics to develop an overview of those tools needed | | | | how wide they are or how long the shaft. Numbers |
| to get a good start in woodworking.In the most basic | | | | range from #1 to #12. The higher the sweep number, |
| terms, a woodworker needs four kinds of tools. They | | | | the more curved the blade will be. The measurement |
| need a place to work, tools for cutting and shaping, | | | | in millimeters or inches tells you the width of a |
| tools for assembly, and finishing equipment. This simple | | | | tool.Several common chisels and gouges include the |
| statement provides the basis for the following | | | | firmer and the mortise. Each of these has a solid |
| discussion of woodworking tools.The tools listed and | | | | handle that will withstand blows from a mallet.Selection |
| described here represent just the tip of the iceberg. In | | | | Tips |
| keeping with the philosophy that it is best to learn the | | | | Choosing a chisel or gouges is basically a matter of |
| basics first, and to not invest large sums of money until | | | | selecting the right tool for the job at hand. Some have |
| a person is certain that they have an ongoing interest | | | | special features such as reinforced blades or leather |
| in woodworking, the emphasis is on hand tools, with a | | | | washers between the blade and handle to absorb |
| few basic power tools thrown in. These tools should | | | | shock. If you plan to work on projects where you will |
| prepare you for a variety of beginner projects and | | | | be chiseling out joint cuts or cutting curves and |
| give you a solid foundation of equipment and | | | | contours, you may want to invest in high-quality chisels |
| knowledge to build upon.Tools For Shaping | | | | and gouges. Otherwise, standard tools will do and can |
| As you may already know, wood does not always | | | | be purchased for $10-$15 each or as a set for around |
| come flat and square, even when purchased precut. In | | | | $50.Care & Maintenance |
| addition, you may need to size and shape pieces of | | | | The sharp cutting edge is the main concern on a |
| wood so that they fit correctly or look the way you | | | | chisel or gouge. It is relatively easy to learn to sharpen |
| want them to. There are many tools used to shape | | | | these tools with a whetstone or sharpening belt; |
| wood, from those that smooth them to those that | | | | however, we recommend having someone show you |
| take pieces away to create lines, holes, and other | | | | how to do this if you are uncertain, rather than try to |
| features.Planes | | | | learn by reading in a book. It is important that it be done |
| As opposed to a saw, or even a knife, planes cut | | | | correctly to avoid damaging the tool.The metal on a |
| wood away in small, uniform increments, which helps | | | | chisel or gouge should be wiped clean and kept dry to |
| to create a smooth surface. There are many different | | | | avoid rust. Some woodworkers wax their metal |
| types of hand planes. More commonly used planes | | | | blades with beeswax as an added protectant.Other |
| are referred to as bench planes and include the scrub | | | | hand shaping tools include files and rasps and small |
| plane, the smoothing plane, the jack plane and the | | | | power rotary tools, such as those sold by Dremel. |
| trying plane. Some planes come with more than one | | | | These are smaller, handheld tools with a variety of |
| blade or can be adjusted for different types of cuts. | | | | adjustable heads, including bits for drilling and carving. |
| Others are used only for specific purposes.You might | | | | They come in different sizes and sets starting under |
| use a plane if you wanted to round a corner or cut a | | | | $25.One of the power tools used most often in |
| groove (with the grain) or a dado (across the grain). | | | | woodworking is a router. It comes with bits and jigs |
| Specialized planes will even cut rabbet or tongue and | | | | that are fabricated to make different cuts and shapes |
| groove joins. In many cases, a plane can take the | | | | and can be used to round edges, cut channels and |
| place of a router for those who don't have the power | | | | grooves, and carve decorative patterns. If you plan to |
| tool or prefer to do more traditional work.Keep in mind | | | | move beyond basic beginner projects, chances are |
| that some planes can be nearly as expensive as a | | | | you will eventually need a router.Tool Summary |
| router to purchase, so if you plan to do a variety of | | | | This completes part 4 of the condensed overview of |
| specialty cuts, planes may not be the cheaper solution. | | | | some of the tools that are commonly used in beginning |
| A new planer can cost anywhere from $20 for a | | | | woodworking projects. As you can see, this topic |
| basic, amateur model to over $100 for larger specialty | | | | could and has provided the content for entire volumes |
| or combination types.Selection Tips | | | | of books and in order to fully understand the |
| Rather than going out and purchasing several | | | | possibilities in woodworking and create quality projects, |
| different types of planes, it is best to wait until you | | | | it is critical that you develop a more in-depth |
| need a particular one for a project, and then buy | | | | knowledge of the tools you plan to use.It is also |
| quality. Be sure the components fit together well and | | | | important to note again that each type of tool has its |
| hold tight when used. Hold the plane in your hands in | | | | own care and maintenance needs that are often more |
| the position you would use when working to be sure it | | | | specific than what has been touched on here. The |
| feels comfortable. Be sure you understand what the | | | | details have been left out of this book to avoid |
| plane is for before purchasing it.There are planes | | | | overwhelming someone who is brand new to |
| made of metal and of wood. Our experts had | | | | woodworking. However, their omission does not mean |
| different opinions about which is best, but it was mainly | | | | they aren't important."Failing to care for your tools is |
| based on personal preferences in material, rather than | | | | ridiculous from a financial standpoint," stated shop |
| on performance. You might buy one of each to | | | | teacher, Kevin Warner. "Why spend $20 on a good |
| compare for yourself.Care & Maintenance | | | | quality handsaw or clamp and then allow it to go dull or |
| Planes may need to be adjusted as you use them to | | | | rust? Not only will you loose money, your work will |
| ensure proper depth and angle. Each tool will have | | | | suffer because your tools won't perform as intended. |
| screws, nuts and levers to adjust different aspects. | | | | And it will take you more time in the long run. Taking |
| Periodically, you will need to take the plane apart, wipe | | | | good care of your tools is one of the first steps in |
| it down and remove wood chips. Be careful that you | | | | becoming a serious woodworker. |
| understand how to put the tool back together correctly | | | | |