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Free Beginner's Guide To: Woodworking Tools
Free Beginner's Guide To: Woodworking Tools
Woodworking
Tools
If you're a beginner and money
is tight, you can buy all the
hand tools you'll need to start
woodworking with just a C--note.
B ginning woodworkers have it bad when it comes to buying their first hand tools.
First you have to figure out what tools you need to get started. Then you have a hard
choice. You can buy the cheapest stuff at discount stores and risk being disappointed
with the quality later. Or you can buy the nice stuff from catalogs and specialty
woodworking stores that is considerably more expensive. However there's a third op-
tion that few beginning woodworkers consider: buy used hand tools.
Flea markets, garage sales and antique malls are usually awash with quality used
hand tools at reasonable prices. A #4 Stanley smoothing plane that costs $57.50 new
in the box can be had for $15 to $20 used. Wooden handled chisels that average about
$10 each new can be bought for $5. There are some downsides to buying used, though.
If you're not happy with your purchase, it's unlikely you can get a refund. And some
used tools need restoration before use. But if you follow the guidelines in this article,
you can minimize the amount of time you'll spend fixing up your old tools and quick-
by Christopher Schwarz
ly put your new toys to work. all day waiting for the tools you're inter-
Let me first say that buying used isn't ested in to come up for sale. And even then
for everyone. It's unlikely you'll be able to you might lose to a higher bidder and end
go to one flea market on a Saturday morn- up only with a few extra pounds from all
ing and equip your entire shop. So you're those pimento cheese sandwiches you ate.
going to have to shop around. And for Garage sales are nice because the per-
many people there's something inexplic- son running them might have no idea how
ably appealing about owning a brand new to price the tools. I've found good hand
tool. But if money is tight and you've got planes at yard sales for $5. Problem is
a few weekends free, it's entirely possible you usually have to drive all over town to
to equip your shop with all the basic hand find a garage sale that may or may not have
tools for less than $100. tools for sale. And most garage sales have
just a few tools for sale. Antique malls, on
Your Shopping List the other hand, are nice because there are
First figure out what you need to get start- usually lots oftools to choose from. But
ed. Even if you're a power tool junkie you're you have to pay for that convenience.
going to have to buy about 20 hand tools Prices can be higher than those listed here
(until they invent an electric scratch aw I). and there's little chance to bargain.
If you're inclined to do all your work with I prefer the flea markets. There are lots
hand tools, this list is still a great place of tools to chose from, there's no waiting
to start- you '11 be able to do a lot of things around and the prices are low, especially
with these tools. The chart below is a if you are willing to haggle.
decent shopping list with some average
flea market prices that we've seen in the Chisels
Midwest, South and East. When you go You've gotta have chisels. From squaring up
shopping, be sure to take a list of the tools
rabbets cut with your router to paring dove-
you need, a good-quality steel ruler marked
tails, chisels are a necessity. Luckily, used
in inches and a pencil. chisels are easy to find and inexpensive. The
There are four places to find good used
nice thing about used chisels is that the ma-
tools: auctions, garage sales, antique malls
jority of them have wooden handles, which
and flea markets. Auctions are great be- I'm partial to. The downside to used chisels
cause you can sometimes pick up an en- is you're going to have to grind the cutting
edge back to square. I've never seen a used
tire box of tools for $20. The prices are rea-
sonable because this is where many flea chisel that didn't need work.
market vendors purchase tools to sell. But But don't get too worked up about that.
auctions are time consuming. You can sit Many new chisels need to be reground
_ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ ___, right out of the box, too.
.---SH_O_P_P-IN_G_LI_ST
Tool Low price High price New price :j: So when you're looking
Wooden-handled chisels to buy a used chisel, here's
1
/.4'' chisel $4 $7 $7-$1 I what to keep in mind. First
%"
1
chisel $4 $7 $7.25-$1 I measure the chisel with
12'' chisel $4 $7 $7.50-$1 I
%"chisel $4 $7 $7.50-$11 your steel ruler to make
3
/-4" chisel $4 $7 $8.50-$11 sure it's a size you need.
I" chisel $4 $7 $9.50-$1 I Look for chisels that aren't
Wooden-handled mortising chisels
1
too rusty, especially on the
/4" chisel $5 $7 $16
%" chisel $5 $7 $17 back. Surface rust is OK,
Backsaw* $5 $15 $19-$50 but if there are deep pits
Coping saw $5 $7 $6-$1 0 on the back of the chisel,
Low-angle block plane $7 $18 $45
#4Smoothingplane $15 $20 $54 you'llhavealotofflat-
Scraper t $5 $5 $5 tening to do before you
Mill bastard file $1 $2 $6 can get a decent cutting
Burnisher $3 $5 $10-$20
Screwdrivers $2 $3 $3 each edge. Rust on the front
Combination square $5 $25 $20-$65 isn't a big deal, as long as
Scratch awl $2 $7 $5-1 0 it's not too severe.
Marking gauge $4 $8 $1 0-$40
Sliding bevel gauge $5 $8 $16-$20 How much of the blade
* I recommend buying a new backsaw. Read why in the story. is left is also important.
t You're unlikely to find a used scraper. Buy a new one. Unless the chisel is a butt
1...----------------.. .j :j:Prices for "new tools" are for tools comparable in quality to
what you'd find used.
metal on the sole in front of the blade. If
it moves, your throat is adjustable.
Chisels are plentiful, so
you can be picky about Another issue with used block planes
the quality and price. is the blade itself. Look for one that's not
Here a couple chisels too rusty and has some life left in it. New
sit among some
carving tools-anoth- block plane blades are about 4 1/ z" long.
er common item at If yours is considerably smaller, you might
shows (right). be in for trouble. Replacement blades for
Always take a ruler some block planes can be tricky to find,
when buying tools. You especially for oddball brands. It's safe to
need only one 3/a" pass on block planes with stubby blades.
chisel for your toolbox
(below). Now check the plane bottom for flat-
ness. Hold your straightedge- edge on
-against the sole of the plane and up to
a light. If you can see some significant gaps
between the ruler and sole, you could be
on the pull stroke, instead of the push stroke, in for a lot of work. Flatter is better.
so they're easier to control. Plus the kerf is Another nice feature in block planes
considerably thinner than Western saws. is called "lateral adjustment." This allows
Coping saws are simple tools that are you to pivot the blade slightly to the left
great for cutting curves and cleaning out or right to get a perfectly square cut. Lateral
waste between dovetails. Make sure a used adjustments aren't the same on all planes
one is fully adjustable. That is, you can so look for a lever on the back of the plane
chisel (which is supposed to have a short lock the blade at any angle. Buy some new that moves the blade left or right.
blade) you should have at least 3" to 4" of blades for about 30 cents each at the hard- Smoothing planes are useful for heavy-
blade remaining. If you've got less, you might ware store that have 15 teeth per inch. duty planing. If you have a rough-sawn
not have any tempered steel left in the blade edge on a board, a smoothing plane can
and the chisel won't hold an edge. Pass. Planes dress it. You also can use it for the final
Now check out the handle. Can you You'll need a low-angle block plane for lots smoothing of rough-sawn lumber. Most
pull the handle out of the socket? If you of stuff. For example, when you've glued smoothing planes, especially those made
can, you'll need to fix that or tum a new up two pieces of wood and one edge is by Stanley, will have a #4 on them. If you
handle. Follow the same rules with mortis- slightly proud of the other, a low-angle can't find a #4 plane, a #3 or a #5 will also
ing ch~ls, which have considerably thick- block plane is great for leveling the joint. serve you well as a first all-purpose plane.
er blades and no bevel on the sides. In ad- You'll usually find two kinds of block Many of the same rules for block planes
dition, make sure these look like they can planes for sale: one is your plain old block apply to smoothing planes, except smooth-
take a lot more abuse, such as getting plane, the other is a low-angle block plane. ing planes do not have adjustable throats.
whacked by a hammer every day. Block planes have the blade
set at about a 20-degree
Backsaw and Coping Saw angle to the sole. The blade
You need a backsaw for cutting dovetails in the low-angles is set at
and tenons, and other small work. Backsaws 12 degrees. Low-angle planes
are so named because they have a rigid will cut everything that a
spine clamped to the back of the blade that block plane will, and they
stiffens the blade during the cut. Larger work better on planing end
backsaws are called tenon saws. Smaller grain and highly figured
ones are called dovetails saws. And little woods. So try to buy a low-
ones with a round handle are often called angle version if you can.
gent's saws. You'll find a lot of saws for sale, You also want this tool
but they usually need a lot of work, such to have an adjustable throat.
as fixing missing teeth and resharpening. The throat is the opening
Let a professional do this for you. between the blade and plane body. It's im- A couple of decent block planes. The one on the
If you're not an old tool purist, I recom- portant that this is adjustable because the left was tempting because it was a bargain;
however it didn't have an adjustable throat and it
mend you buy a new Japanese-style back- thinner the opening you can create, the was a standard block plane, not the /ow-angle
saw. Lee Valley Tools, for example, sells a less tearout you'll get- especially in fig- version. The plane on the right was priced at
great Korean-made Dozuki backsaw for ured woods. To see if a block plane has an $18, which is OK for a low-angle block plane
with an adjustable throat The small shiny ring
$18.95 (item#60T55.01 800-871-8158). adjustable throat, unscrew the front knob below the front knob of this plane moves the
I like Japanese-style saws because they cut on the plane and try to wiggle the piece of throat forward and back.
for laying out mortises and tenons. If you
find one of these, consider it a bonus. Also,
make sure you can lock the fence tightly
on the beam.
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tion is, will you make furniture, turn chased machinery, tools and supplies, the potential woodshop area has 200
bowls or carve? What if you set up a dont get discouraged. I have talked square feet, and you are planning on
woodshop for carving and later find with hundreds of beginning wood- generalized woodworking for your-
that lathe-turned bowls are your real workers and heard many very similar self and your family. First, what will
interest? questions. Usually beginning wood- $3,000 purchase? Make a list of possi-
Relax. When you create the mas- workers have specific budget amounts ble selections. Also factor into this list
ter plan, realize that most machines and space limitations as their first pri- whether you are planning to purchase
are for general-purpose applications. orities. These conditions are quickly locally or through mail-order catalogs
Table saws and band saws arent de- followed by questions about what and whether you prefer machines
signed for single-purpose use. How- type of machinery and hand tools made in the U.S.A. or those made in
ever, carving chisels and lathe tools should be purchased. After these is- foreign countries.
are single-purpose tools. Fortunately, sues, questions follow about specific
you can start out with a half dozen brands, where to purchase machinery Prioritize Your Purchases
of these tools and not spend a large and tools, what books and magazines Obviously both lists are over budget,
sum of money. And if you decide that are recommended and where one can and neither list includes hand tools,
carving isnt for you, its easy to sell find how-to and hands-on instruc- sharpening supplies, sandpaper and
them. If you arent certain of the type tion. The response to these questions so on. The next step is to prioritize
of woodworking you want to pursue, is like the solution to a complicated the tool list and purchase the most
initially stay as general as possible, mathematics problem: Start at the important items first. For general-
realizing that some tools are worth beginning, do your step-by-step work purpose woodworking, the scroll
purchasing, if for no other reason on paper, and progress through every saw and lathe may not be necessary.
than for experimentation. step until the solution is found. However, design the woodshop loca-
Translating that type of formula tion as if all the listed machines and
BUDGETING FOR SHOP SETUP into designing a woodshop is straight- tool items were available. Its much
If you are setting up a woodshop for forward. Suppose that your budget easier to create the layout require-
the first time and have never pur- is $3,000 for machinery and tools, ments in the planning stage than to
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shop items. For example, if a heavy handled and moved. For small wood- equipped with a lock for the on/off
board 2" 8" 80" is processed on a shops, panel saws are an alternative to switch. This prevents children or
jointer, the operator not only has to the table saw. These are wall-mounted other curious types from turning on
maintain the board on the machine, units that support the plywood, with a the saw when the owner isnt present.
but he also has to be able to take the track-mounted circular saw for mak-
board from the outfeed table and not ing the cuts. Band Saw
ram it against other woodshop items. If the band saw is used primarily for
In other words, the entry and exit Radial-Arm Saw ripping and resawing long boards,
areas around certain machines must If long boards are routinely cut with it too can be located against a wall.
be clear: This space is as important as a radial saw, the saw should be placed The work is moved parallel to the
the space the machine occupies. against a wall, with long secondary wall, providing a clear pathway for
support tables on either side. Many board entry and exit from the blade.
Table Saw woodworkers with basement wood- However, if the band saw is used to
If full sheets of plywood are rou- shops set up a radial-arm saw in the make curved cuts, the board is moved
tinely cut, place the saw centrally in garage and perform rough cuts there, in a radial manner, much like a clock
the woodshop and build secondary and then move the shorter pieces to hand, with the blade at the center
support tables. Keep the pathway to the woodshop. Note: If the radial-arm point. For this type of use, the band
and from the table saw unobstructed saw is in the garage and away from saw should be more centered in the
so that the plywood can be safely the main woodshop, it should be woodshop, away from walls.
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