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Beginner's Guide to Woodworking

To Learn ...You Have To Start Somewhere!!

The next step you'll take is to acquire a few basic tools. You'll probably already have some around your home but if not, you will need them. And from the beginning, your list of woodworking tools starts here!!

I can hear my first grade teacher saying, "ok class, get out your pencils". It may surprise you, but this is the first basic tool of woodworking. So buy yourself a handful because you can never have too many pencils. Woodworkers are always looking for their pencils and it's a certainty, you'll be looking as well!!

Now that you have pencils put on your list the next basic tool you're going to need is the measuring tape. If you don't have any, purchase at least a couple of them that are durable and easy to read.

Continuing on with our list of woodworking tools for absolute beginners, the <Square> should be your next choice. In every woodworking Workshop, you will find several <types of Squares> and no Woodworker is without them. You've probably seen your Father or Grandfather using at least one at sometime or another. It's one of those hand tools you should never be without, if you're planning on doing any serious woodworking!! There are four types: <Combination square, Try square, Framing square and Bevel square. Have all four of them in your shop!!

Below are some tools that you will need at any given time. Although, each tool has it's own necessity, not all tools are utilized with every project or they may be used only briefly. However, those tools are essential to learning woodworking.

It would be surprising if this woodworking tool isn't already in your home. It requires no introduction but there are <different types and weights> to this tool. However, the regular <20 oz. Claw Hammer> is the most used. Another hammer that wil receive its share of use in the shop is the rubber hammer.However, until you're ready to assemble larger projects, you can list it as a future consideration.

Add to your tool collection the <Hand Saw.> There are several types of handsaws: <Cross Cut, Rip Cut, Back Saw, Coping Saw, Dovetail Saw.> For you, the Beginner, add the <Cross Cut and the Rip Cut> to your list of tools. As the name implies, a Crosscut is for sawing against the grain. The Ripcut is for sawing with the grain.  They all have their place in the Shop but for now those two will be your starting point!

If you don't already have any, purchase some <Screwdrivers.> They can be bought in several different sizes. The most common types are: <Flat Top>, <Robinson>, <Phillips>, and <Torque>. You can purchase those in sets or separately as needed.

  A Workshop cannot be without a <Level>. The most common Levels are in lengths of 4' (feet) and 2' (feet). Another is the <Torpedo Level> which is about 6-10 inches, and is used on smaller projects. You'll need all three.
Some projects that you will build may require the use of <Wrenches>, <Sockets>, <Pliers> and <Utility Knives>.
Next you may want to buy yourself a good set of woodworking <Chisels>. There are different types but for the Beginner a set of 4 bevel-edged Chisels is a good start. Store those with care, you'd want to be careful not to damage the edges.

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