Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 5 - Tools For Assembly
A civilization's maturity and intelligence is judged, in part, by the diversity and sophistication of its tools. When it comes to woodworking, the human race is quite advanced. There are general tools that work well in many situations, and there are specialty tools made for one specific purpose. There are tools that require only manpower and a rudimentary knowledge, and others that utilize computer programs, a wide range of knowledge, and a powerful motor. We have even learned how to harness power for our tools and package it in a small battery component, giving us the freedom to take our tools wherever we need them.
It is truly amazing and wonderful to contemplate the vast number of tools and all that woodworkers are capable of doing and creating with the help of these tools. And for many people, working with tools is one of the thrills, or even obsessions, of woodworking.
Woodworking and related tools have become so popular that there are numerous companies that manufacture these tools and thousands of places to purchase them. Combine that with the vast numbers of different types of tools and it can get overwhelming, especially if you are new to woodworking. Our experts helped us focus on the basics to develop an overview of those tools needed to get a good start in woodworking.
In the most basic terms, a woodworker needs four kinds of tools. They need a place to work, tools for cutting and shaping, tools for assembly, and finishing equipment. This simple statement provides the basis for the following discussion of woodworking tools.
The tools listed and described here represent just the tip of the iceberg. In keeping with the philosophy that it is best to learn the basics first, and to not invest large sums of money until a person is certain that they have an ongoing interest in woodworking, the emphasis is on hand tools, with a few basic power tools thrown in. These tools should prepare you for a variety of beginner projects and give you a solid foundation of equipment and knowledge to build upon.
Tools For Assembly
Once you have your wood cut and shaped, you will need to assemble your project. There are tools made especially for this purpose, and the list includes some of the most familiar household tools, such as screwdrivers, hammers and drills.
Screwdrivers
As the name explains, screwdrivers are used for driving screws into wood. Most people are familiar with the flathead or blade screwdriver and the Phillips. There is also a square drive screwdriver for those screws with square heads.
Within each of these groups, there are different sizes and specialties of screwdrivers. Some come with ratchet action or interchangeable bits. Some have magnetized tips to help hold screws.
Selection Tips
Most people purchase a set of screwdrivers to be sure to have a variety. Select a screwdriver with a comfortable, secure handle. Be sure the shaft doesn't bend easily and that the blade or point is in good shape. Prices range from several dollars to over $10 for a specialty or multi-use screwdriver. Most bargain bin tools will bend easily and are not really a good buy.
Care & Maintenance
Avoiding rust is the main concern with screwdrivers. Wipe clean and store in a dry area. In addition, you want to be careful not to force a screw or use the wrong size as this can strip the tip of a Phillips or square cut tool.
Hammers & Mallets
Most people have used a claw hammer or ball peen hammer for basic household projects such as hanging pictures or putting up shelves. Hammers have metal heads for driving nails and other fasteners. A mallet has a head shaped like a pop can and is solid and heavy. They are used to drive chisels or take joints apart. The head can be made of steel, wood, or rubber. Some are magnetized. Again, most people find it helpful to have several different styles of hammers and mallets.
Selection Tips
A good hammer or mallet will have a solid handle with the striking head firmly attached. Some have fiberglass or reinforced handles. Others are padded. The choice is one of comfort and cost. A good hammer can be purchased for under $10 while mallets can be more expensive depending on the size.
Care & Maintenance
As with screwdrivers, the main concern with hammers and mallets is avoiding rust. Occasionally you may have to replace or refit a handle.
Clamps
When you want to hold two pieces of wood together, either with glue, or hardware such as screw
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