Some artisans would have you believe that using power tools is cheating. It true that any woodworking project can be constructed with hand tools; carpenters worked this way for centuries before electrical equipment was invented. The houses they built kept out the rain, and the tables and chairs they made were sturdy and often very beautiful.
Using only hand tools, however, requires a high level of skill, a strong dedication to craftsmanship, and a lot of time. Most woodworkers find that investing in at least a few power tools pays off in accuracy and efficiency without reducing the pride and pleasure in their work.
If you don’t own a complete tool collection, you can rent what you need or the lumberyard can cut wood to size for you. Maybe you know someone you can borrow tools from—and possibly receive instruction on their use as well.
Safety first The safety rules for woodworking can be condensed into one simple statement: Treat your tools with understanding and respect. Always bear in mind that tools can cut, pierce, and puncture the body as easily as they can a piece of wood. Never use a tool improperly or carelessly, and always take the time necessary to set up your work very carefully. In any sort of a workshop, caution and common sense go a long way toward preventing accidents. In addition: + Be sure you understand the function of each tool and the way it is supposed to be used before you operate it, especially when working with power tools. + Read all instructions carefully; practice and proceed slowly. + Don’t be afraid of tools. If used correctly, they’ll do your bidding. + Pay close attention to what you’re doing. A slip in concentration can result in a slip of a board, or a tool, or even a hand. + Keep your work place neat and dry. A messy workshop easily becomes a series of booby traps that cause unnecessary accidents. + Be sure to unplug electric tools when they are not in use or when you are changing the bits or blades. Always use double-insulated plugs, proper wiring, and appropriate extension cords. + Keep cords out of the path of blades or drill bits. + Most high-speed operations, such as cutting with a radial arm saw, produce both chips and noise. Safety glasses and hearing protectors will guard against these hazards, and, almost as important, they will increase your level of concentration. |
Portable power tools
To make the projects in this guide, the basic hand tools described on the previous pages will be needed. If you also own the following portable power tools the work will go more smoothly and more quickly.
Electric drill
If you’re going to purchase only one power tool, it probably should be a drill. This versatile piece of equipment has many accessories that allow a great deal more than just drilling.
With the right attachments, you can sand, plane, cut large holes and straight lines, drive and countersink screws, cut plugs to fill screw holes, and even mix paint, Electric drills are sized according to the shank of the largest bit they are able to accommodate. A 3 variable-speed model would be a good choice. Comparative quality is often reflected in the amp ratings of the motors. Higher amperage means more power and greater flexibility.
In addition to a basic set of twist drills the combination bit for screws will prove useful for the projects in this guide. Normally, when driving a screw, first make a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screw shank. (This allows the screw to penetrate the wood and bite in firmly.) Then make a countersink hole large enough to accommodate the screw head and deep enough so that the head sets just below the surface. The combination bit will drill both at once. Be sure the bit matches the size of the screws.
Hold the bit on top of the screw. The shank of the screw should be completely hidden by the drill bit; only the threads should show.
Router
With a router, you can cut grooves and channels, and shape edges of boards, and trim veneers and laminates. It is used in cabinetry for making fine joints such as dadoes and rabbets and shaping moldings.
Because a router can be tricky to use at first, try practicing on scrap lumber. Once familiar it will be invaluable for doing fancy cutting with a minimum of fuss.
Power handsaw
If you are purchasing a general-purpose saw for construction as well as cabinetry, then the circular saw is the saw of choice. It is mobile, rugged, and efficient. These attributes, though of value to the cabinetmaker, are perhaps less important than precision and versatility. So, if cabinetry is the main concern, consider a saber saw rather than a circular saw. In order to make a straight cut with either saw, clamp a guide board to the work.
The saber saw can be fitted with a variety of blades, each designed to perform a particular task. Blades are available for fine cutting in wood, cutting metal, and even cutting right up to a vertical surface. Choose a saw with variable speeds; note that some models can provide a slight orbital motion of the blade to make cleaner straight cuts. A saber saw can cut irregular shapes and with a simple attachment, can cut perfect circles.
Stationary power tools
If a lot of woodworking is done or planned, you may wish to add the following stationary power tools to your collection.
Table saw
A table saw easily cuts large pieces such as full-size sheets of plywood or particleboard. It’s especially good for ripping—making a long cut in the direction of the grain to narrow a board—but it will also make crosscuts (across the grain), angle cuts, and grooves.
The saw is mounted in a fixed position, and the stock is fed past the spinning blade, which cuts the wood from underneath.
Because the wood is fed through the saw, it must be set up to allow plenty of work space behind, as well as in front of, the table.
Radial arm saw
This tool performs the same functions as a table saw. However, the blade is drawn across the wood, which means the saw can be set up against a wall rather than in the middle of the floor. This makes a radial arm saw a more practical choice for a home workshop with limited space.
A radial arm saw has a circular blade mounted on a track to an over head arm. To make a cut, the board is placed on the table, and the blade is drawn across the wood. The blade can be turned or tilted to make rip and bevel cuts.
Accessories such as dado blades and sanding disks are available for both table and radial arm saws.
Drill press
A drill press makes it easier to accurately drill holes of various sizes and at different angles. A variety of attachments allow it to do other jobs, such as sanding, routing, and cutting larger holes.
A less expensive alternative to buying a drill press is to buy a stand on which can be mounted, or an attachment that can be fastened to, an electric drill. These offer some of the advantages (but not the stability) of a regular drill press.
You can make elaborate pediments by buying lengths of ready-made
molding. But molding can be expensive, especially when you are combining
several lengths in order to create a substantial effect. An alternative
is to use a router to form your own moldings. This way you can make them
in a wood that matches the case.
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Full guide: How to Plan & Build Bookcases, Cabinets & Shelves
