Unique carpentry tools

Hand tools can accomplish a large portion of carpentry work given enough knowledge, proficiency, and time, but power tools are a step-up in every aspect. Power tools are necessary to set up a workshop or field practice and take carpentry to a professional level such as commercial woodworking or construction work.

The ideal type and model of a power tool is unique to each carpenter, but generally, all of them will possess the following in their work environment:. The power drill is a very versatile tool used both commercially and on a workshop level. Its uses may seem simple, limited to drilling holes and inserting screws or fasteners, but the drill is backed by a plethora of attachments and drill bits, as well as settings for speed, power, and torque. A set of drill bits is a staple in the package, and you will usually want to purchase additional drill bits for your specific needs.

Do All Drills Have Reverse? The circular saw is your go-to option for making deep straight cuts. As mentioned, blades with fewer teeth lead to smoother cuts , while having more teeth increases the cutting power at the cost of smoothness. Jigsaws perform their operation by retracting a metal blade lined with teeth, powered by an electrical engine. The retracting blade allows for speedy cutting, but at the disadvantage of not being suitable for thick material.

Hand-held power sanders are used to strip away uneven material and create a perfectly smooth surface. There are two main types — the palm sander and the orbital sander , both used by hand. The palm sander is square in shape and operates on a belt model. The grit paper is attached to the belt and sands the wood surface with forward motion.

Palm sanders are typically used to sand hardwood floors and square areas by applying a back and forth pattern. Orbital sanders , are very similar but operate based on a spinning disk. Circular sanding is better for round surfaces and round objects in general. Disk sanders are a special kind of orbital sander that is fixed to the workbench vertically. Both types of sanders have their advantages, and you should keep both handy if you work on a variety of different projects.

Remember that 40 to 60 grit paper is for removing significant imperfections and heavy sanding work, while 80 to is for minor imperfections. With constant cutting and sanding in the workshop, a lot of dust and wood shavings are bound to cover the place. Many power tools and bench tools have special bags or compartments to collect sawdust, though these models tend to be pricier.

A more affordable solution is to purchase a sawdust vacuum. Sawdust vacuums have special filters to prevent dust from entering fans and the engine compartment. A nail gun or nailer is a power tool used to drive nails into wood under pressure force. Nail guns are commonly pneumatic, powered by gas or air pressure, but there are electric variants, some of which come with batteries for portability.

There are two distinct types you should know about: the framing nailer , used for heavy-duty work, and the finishing nailer , which is suitable for light projects. Nail guns have rails that are adjustable for use in straight and angled modes. The framing nailer is commonly seen in construction and maintenance work, such as securing carrying beams or 2X4 boards, which require a greater penetration force and bigger nails.

The finishing nailer is a lighter version better suited for smaller projects like cabinets, shelves, and other simple furniture, as well as finishing touches on bigger projects, as its name implies.

Generally, finishing nailers fire headless nails which leave a tiny surface mark, and the lower force dramatically reduces the risk of wood splitting. Staple guns are well suited for attaching fabric to wood, a common practice when building or restoring furniture. Exact measurements are paramount to proper cuts and correct stencils.

Your measuring toolset should be able to adjust to both small and big objects of various shapes. Also, practical math and geometry skills combined with high-quality measuring equipment are a match made in heaven. The tape measure is a long, retractable aluminum meter. Carpenters use the tape measure in every step of the project, from planning to building. A special tip to keep in mind when purchasing a tape measure is to get one with a big grapple or tongue at the end of the metal tape.

Such tape will save you countless headaches from detaching and ruined measurements. If you require fieldwork , picking up a belt attachable tape measure is a great convenience.

The ruler is your reliable straight measuring tool used for stencils, marks, and sketches. Remember that metal rulers are superior to their plastic counterparts, as they will remain straight and durable for a very long time. It acts in the same way as the cornerstone in construction. It ensures a perfect degree angle on corners. Levels have been around since the dawn of time in one form or another, beginning with ropes, pendulums, water bottles, until it was finally perfected into the levels we know today.

The modern level is a flat metal bar marked with inches and meters, with small capsules of liquid at the edges and the very center.

When the surface is ideally level, the air bubble inside the capsules will align with the lines on them. Carpenters typically have two to three levels of different sizes. The moisture meter is slightly different from the other entries in this section. This meter tracks the humidity level inside of wood.

But the EZ mark line cords are new to me. What a handy gadget! Gotta get me one of those! Great list! After reading this I am going to get me some of those assembly squares and a square check. PS — what happened to your cabinet making tutorial.

I still use the gloves and ventilator you recommended a few years back, and these are just the recs I was looking for. When you want to use the square check by yourself, try a little double-sided tape to hold it on the corner. Those EZ Mark cords are really cool but the prices on everything have really gone up since you posted this!

Your email address will not be published. Yes, add me to your mailing list. Terms of Use. Privacy Policy. Although it is my intention to provide accurate plans and clear instructions, not all plans have been tried and tested. Using plans or information found on SawdustGirl. All plans are for private use only. Plans and information published on SawdustGirl.

Actual projects built using Sawdust Girl plans may be published on your own site without instructions or "tutorial" as long as you provide a link to my original post with full post title or "SawdustGirl. You Subscribed! Next, pull the handle toward you and pry off a thin slice of the log. Since buying a box of square-edged shingles is significantly less effort than making each and every one by hand, this tool has long since passed its heyday.

But it still can be used to build up the kindling pile. Crain Super Saw. Resembling a cross between a router and a circular saw, this ominous-looking tool is used to undercut baseboards and doors to install new flooring. If you're a flooring guy, you know what a difficult task this can be without a specialized tool. If you're not a flooring guy, well, then this thing just looks dangerous. Arbortech Power Chisel. Who knew a tool as timeless as the chisel could get a technological upgrade?

The Power Chisel has the slender body of an angle grinder and a motor that delivers rapid hits to a chisel end. The result is a tool more powerful and much louder than a traditional chisel.

Stanley 1 Odd Jobs. Stanley produced this all-in-one layout tool between and the s. It looks like a directional arrow from a street sign and was originally advertised as 10 tools in one including level, depth gauge, try square, and compass.