Beginner's Guide to Woodworking
Buying tools and accessories
There's just one more basic tool that you, the beginning woodcrafter, may need to begin building your first woodcrafting project. Actually, it's several of the same tool. We're now talking about holding power. Every Woodworker knows how difficult it would be to hold several workpieces together by hand while trying to secure one piece to another. It's impossible. So they turn to their trusty friends "The Clamps" to lend then a hand assembling their woodcrafts.
Clamp It!
In the Workshop, you can never have too many <Clamps.> So stock up on as many as you can get your hands on. There are however, many different types and sizes and we will list some of them below.
Spring and Handi Clamps
Miter and Toggle Clamp
Bar Clamp,
Hand Screw Clamping
Picture Framing Clamp and Straight Edge Clamp
There are others but you get the idea. Clamping is an essential part of woodworking and you will need them. You will begin to understand which size and type you'll need as you learn and progress.
In the beginning, you can start with a few Spring, Handi and Bar Clamps. These should be enough to help you to tackle a few easy to build smaller projects that you may be interested in making. As you progress into bigger projects, add the Straight Edge Clamp. It`s like having that extra hand to help you mark your lines. Add the other Clamps to your list of tools you absolutely have to have, based on the project you'll be working on!
It's Time!!
Now you have the basic tools setup for a workshop. With just those few tools and accessories you can begin building your first woodworking project. In your Workshop, you'll need a place to lay your workpieces on. So your first order of business is to get a Workbench. Now you can purchase a Workbench if you wish or with the tools you have, you can build your own simple Workbench with this Paper Plan. It may not be as fancy but it will serve the purpose.
Before you run out to the lumber yard to buy your materials, let's take a moment to talk about safety. When you're working on your projects don't have children running around or a chatty friend coming to visit or any distraction that can result in personal injury. Remember, operating any type of tool without your undivided attention is a recipe for accidents to happen.
As careful as one is, sometimes accidents are unavoidable, but you can help minimize or eliminate personal injury. Which brings us to your eyes!! Protect your most valuable asset before you operate many tool and buy Safety Glasses. Wear them!! When you're using any type of tool, any object can become airborne including nails being hammered incorrectly.
Never wear loose fitted clothing as it can get caught in a Power tool creating a possible dangerous situation. Always wear disposable Ear Plugs or Ear Protectors when using loud tools. And never forget to put on your Dust Mask when using power tools such as a sander that create lots of dust which is not good for your lungs. Always keep your fingers out of harms way. Never put your hand near the blade of the tool and do not try to cut a piece of wood that's too small to be handled properly.
Taking it to the Next Level
