Whether you enjoy doing woodwork projects at home, or you have been working as a professional carpenter for several years, you can never have enough power tools!
Finding new and exciting power tools can be a lot of fun, but modern tools can cost consumers a pretty penny, so selecting the right one is of vital importance. There is no point in breaking the bank on an expensive tool you’ll never use, so a little bit of research can go a long way.
Safety
Before operating any type of power tool, safety should be your number one priority. If an accident occurs while using a power tool, you could sustain a serious injury. Before you use a power tool, keep these safety tips in mind.
- Study the manufacturer’s manual thoroughly before using the tool. Each time you purchase a new power tool, you will find a user’s guide with plenty of useful information in the box. Even if you have used the tool in the past, consider reading the instructions to ensure you are using it properly. If you bought the tool second-hand, you should be able to download the original manual on the manufacturer’s official website.
- Under no circumstances should you point the tool away from your body while using it.
- When the power tool is on, you should never climb a ladder while holding it.
- Only use the right power tool for certain tasks.
- To avoid the tool from getting jammed, clean and maintain it on a regular basis.
- If you are unsure how to operate it, consider speaking to a seasoned carpenter. Also, there are several power tool tutorial videos uploaded to streaming platforms that might be worth watching.
- Safety gear: You will need to wear safety gear at all times when using a power tool. Because each tool is different, you should read the manual to understand what safety gear you will need.
When operating a power tool, don’t take any chances. In the area where you are working on a woodwork project, make sure that there is enough light so you can see exactly what you are doing.
Essential Power Tools
Investing in power tools has never been easier. In this digital world we live in, there are multiple online marketplaces and webstores selling a wide range of power tools. However, before you start flashing the cash on new tools to add to your collection, here are the best tools every woodworker should have in their workshop:
- Power drill: If you don’t already own a power drill, it’s time that you get one! Although cordless drills are portable, a power drill will provide you with more power, they can do more than tools that run off batteries, and they are cheaper!
- Jigsaw: While working with wood, you will need to cut circular and curved patterns regularly. Some people invest in scroll saws, while others prefer band saws to cut curves, and their comparison is well documented. However, a jigsaw is the perfect tool for those at the early stages of their carpentry journey.
- Sander: If you are working on small woodwork projects at home, you might be satisfied using sandpaper, but if you want to go the extra mile, you should consider investing in a random orbit sander. The tool will save you a lot of time and energy, and it won’t leave patterned scratches in any of your work. Before purchasing an orbital sander, you might want to see if your local DIY store sells sanding discs. Often people buy these tools online, but they can’t seem to find sanding discs for the device in traditional DIY stores.
- Circular saw: A circular saw is a power tool every woodworker should have in their arsenal. It allows you to easily cut wood, giving any woodpiece an excellent finish.
- Router: If you are new to working with wood, a top-notch stationary base router will come in handy. Some routers on the market allow you to control the speed, depending on the width of the wood you want to cut. If you are making furniture like tables or chairs out of wood, having a reliable router on hand will prove highly beneficial.
- Jointer: To make flat surfaces with a piece of wood, a jointer is often used. It will remove any unwanted material on the wood so that the piece is even.
- Planer: It can be used to produce boards that are of even thickness. Once you have flattened the wood with a jointer, you can then feed it into a planner so that it is thick enough so that it can be joined together with another piece of wood of equal thickness.
Conclusion
Not all power tools are the same, so you should spend time reading honest reviews posted online. People who have spent their hard-earned money on brand new power tools for woodwork often post useful information about the product online. Check to see if the power tool comes with a warranty and if there are any other accessories or spare parts that you might need.