Woodworking and Carpentry Tools Guide

Belt Sander: Removes material quickly to repair a sticking door jamb, sand wood filler, etc. Care must be taken with this tool, it can ruin a surface just as quickly. Keep the sander moving at all times while in contact with a surface. See the Belt Sander Guide for more.

Biscuit Joiner: Also called a plate joiner. A specialty tool designed for making mortise & tenon joints in woodworking projects. Specially manufactured, football shaped wood "biscuits" fit into the mortises created with this tool. The biscuit is glued in and will swell as it absorbs the wood glue for a tight joint. The joiner can be set at varying depths to accept different sized biscuits from about 1½in. to about 2½in. long.

Circular Saw: Make fast cross cuts for framing projects. Use a square to mark the cut line first. Use a fence attachment to make rough rip cuts. Some practice is needed to make accurate cuts.

Compound-Miter Saw: Make multiple complex cuts in moldings and framing lumber. Use this saw to cut the compound angles required for crown molding, cut roofing rafters as well as simple crosscuts for framing projects. See the Compound Miter Saw Guide for more.

Drill Press: Bore extremely accurate holes in wood, plastic and metal. Attachments can be added to create mortises for woodworking projects. Also useful as a drum sander with the proper attachments. Available in both bench and floor models. See the Drill Press Guide for more.

Level: Check for both level and plumb framing. Make a level installation of shelves, cabinets and other wall fixtures. Essential for professional quality work.

Pneumatic Nail Gun: An air compressor with a regulator is required for this tool. Drive nails and stables instantly. For big framing projects this tool makes the job quick and easy. For fine work like molding installation a pneumatic nail gun drives brads and sinks them without marring the wood surface.

Radial-Arm Saw: Like a table saw in reverse. The blade moves to make the cut rather than moving the wood. Capable of all the same functions as a table saw, i.e. ripping, cross cutting, dados, rabbets, etc. Extreme caution should be used when operating this saw as it tends to pull into the operator. Available in both bench and floor models.

Random-Orbit Sander: Sands in all directions for a consistently smooth finish. Keep the sander moving at all times to avoid leaving gouges in the wood. Also a good choice for auto body finishing.

Reciprocating Saw: Make quick, rough cuts of plaster lath, wood and metal framing to demo walls. Metal and wood cutting blades are available for this saw ranging from 4 to about 12 inches. Drill a pilot hole large enough for the blade to cut into walls. Press the base of the saw firmly against the surface you're cutting while operating. Watch for the tip of the blade hitting nearby surfaces as it moves in and out.

Router: Extremely useful for woodworking projects. With a wide array of bits available many different functions are possible with this one tool. Add a decorative finish edges, create dados, rabbets, mortise & tenon and lap joints. See the Wood Router Guide for more.

Saber Saw: Cut curving lines to make circles and other shapes for decorative wood projects. Also called a jig saw.

Thickness Planer: Plane a smooth surface on lumber up to the thickness capacity of the planer. Glue several thin boards together and plane them down to make furniture legs, etc. This tool uses mechanized rollers to propel the wood thru the planer automatically.

Table Saw: Essential for cutting plywood for cabinet making. Make accurate rips, crosscuts, dados, rabbets and lap joints. Use jig attachments to make almost any cut for furniture making. Available in both bench and floor models.