As you progress in woodworking, you may find yourself taking on more complex projects that require tools beyond basic hand tools like hammers and screwdrivers. Specialized woodworking equipment can transform what you can create, but they also represent an investment. This article will provide an overview of some specialty woodworking tools to consider as you advance your skills.
| Topic | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|
| Specialized Woodworking Saws |
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| Wood Carving Tools |
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| Wood Turning Lathes |
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| Wood Bending Equipment |
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| More Specialized Equipment |
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Specialized Woodworking Saws
Saws used in woodworking cut in different ways to achieve particular cuts. Specialty saws like coping saws, fretsaws, hacksaws, and bow saws allow for intricate curved cuts that would be impossible with basic handsaws or circular saws.
Coping saws feature thin, relatively fragile blades held in a “C”-shaped frame. Controlled by hand, they cut intricate external and internal shapes in wood. Common uses are cutting moldings, joints, circles, holes, and curves too small for a bandsaw. The thin blade can fit into curved spaces as small as 5mm wide.
Fretsaws resemble coping saws but their blades have much finer teeth optimized for complex curves and details. Mainly used for delicate woodworking like ornamental carving, inlay work, puzzles, and jewelry boxes. The ultra-fine teeth prevent tearing the grain so cuts are very smooth.
Hacksaws hold a tense narrow blade in a frame and are operated by hand. While mainly used for cutting metal, certain models work for wood. Some have swiveling frames allowing angle cuts. Main use is cutting dowels, rods, or boards with tight spaces. Can cut brass, aluminum, plastics too depending on blade type.
Bow saws feature a metal frame shaped like an archer’s bow with ends holding a thin crosscut blade. Allows longer curved cuts with hand control. Quickly cuts green or seasoned wood branches up to 6 inches diameter. Mainly used in nature for pruning trees or harvesting firewood.
Wood Carving Tools
Beyond cutting wood, specialty tools also carve, etch, and shape wood aesthetically. Common wood carving tools include:
Carving Chisels have thin, beveled blades to surgically trim and shape wood. Firmer models hold their edge for intricate details. Skew chisels cut at an angle facilitating better control. All need mallets to strike and penetrate wood surface.
Mallets made of wood, plastic, or rawhide protect carving tool handles when struck. Soft surface prevents damaging blade or handle. Should match handles of tools used.
V-Tools have angled tips like a “V” for defined veining, beading and lettering. Single- or double-sided for various effects. Requires mallet and works well following rough chisel cuts.
Rifflers have curved or bent shapes to neatly finish concave areas unreachable by flat tools. The tip follows contours. Creates defined lines and smooth finishes.
Needle Files have rows of teeth along a tapered shape. Allows smoothing and refining tiny or curved areas of relief carvings, beads, decorations. Flexible handling at any angle.
Wood carving makes ordinary wood come alive with texture detailing the grain. With some specialty tools and practice nearly any design can be created from geometric patterns to wildlife scenes.
Wood Turning Lathes
A staple tool allowing wood to be shaped while spinning is a wood lathe. At its basic function, a motor rotates the wood blank while handheld tools trim and sculpt it into forms both symmetrical and asymmetrical. Key parts include:
Headstock: Rotating mechanism to turn blank. Usually have variable speeds.
Tailstock: Adjustable fixture holding blank steady from other end. Can have live center tip.
Toolrest: Metal arm to brace shaping tools firmly as blank turns.
Lathe sizes: Mini models ~ 12″ capacity while full size industrial models accept massive blanks. Consider space and projects.
Lathe tools slice into the spinning wood to finesse convex and concave shapes. Main types:
Chisels: Cut at 90 degrees with beveled sides and slight convex shape. Make fast deeper cuts controlling form.
Gouges: Have U or V-shaped ends to scoop bowl shapes or flutes. Varied bevel angles and specialty shapes.
Skews: Square or arched blade chisels make finishing cuts and details. Requires experience but ideal for final smoothing of shapes.
Bowls, plates, candlesticks, pens, baseball bats, table legs, finials, handles, lamps, balusters, even sculptures result from the creative possibilities of wood turning lathes. Rough edged logs transform into stunning works of art.
Wood Bending Equipment
While wood’s strong grain makes solid boards resist bending, under sufficient heat, moisture and pressure flexible curves can be attained and held with specialty bending equipment. Common methods include:
Steam Bending: Wood strips soaked then steamed in a long pipe become pliable. Immediately bent around a form and clamped to hold curved shape once dried. Makes flowing shapes like sled fronts or canoe ribs.
Kerfing: Saw cuts spaced along the grain side allows more flexibility. Piece then soaked and clamped to a form. Dries holding curve but still solid. Used for furniture parts.
Lamination Bending: Thin wood strips glued together then bent over a shaped form under pressure. Maintains curve once dry and retain original thickness. Makes smooth curves for furniture, boats, carriages.
Bending Presses and Clamps: Applying tons of pressure on the glued laminates prevents trapped steam bubbles while keeping a set bend. Templates and jigs enable consistency of curved parts.
The graceful curves seen in ornate furniture as well as structural ribs and frames once built only with expensive solid woods can be made using wood bending equipment by even amateur woodworkers. It just takes patience and the right specialty tools.
More Specialized Equipment
As you take on more complex projects or need to streamline workflow certain power tools offer advantages traditional methods lack including:
Planers quickly remove material thickness-wise rather than just tapering edges. Cuts full width of boards in one pass. Allows precision uniform thickness for panel glue ups or fitting joints. Much faster than hand planes alone.
Jointers plane two edges or faces at precise 90 or 45 degree angles so boards glue seamlessly into wide tabletops. Get perfectly straight edges never possible by hand. Great for tight seams.
Sanders from handheld to stationary belt and disc models efficiently remove saw marks and prepare wood for finishing stages. Save enormous hand sanding time. Some provide curved edge shaping.
Routers cut any edge profile like decorative grooves, rounded edges, inlays along boards using guided cutter bits. Afford creative options with ease. Excellent for detail work.
CNC Machines fully automate the cutting process following computer programmed designs. Requires software experience but once set up completes projects with stunning accuracy.
Where to Purchase
While basic tools may be purchased at any hardware store, specialty woodworking tools generally require retailers focused on fine woodworking or large online vendors. When investing in advanced equipment consider:
Local Specialty Woodworking Stores offer ability to see and try out products in person as well as advice from experienced woodworkers. Worth paying a possible premium for exceptional service.
Online Retailers provide convenient home shipping and lowest prices but no first-hand tool trial. Read ample reviews before purchasing to ensure quality. Top names include Rockler, Woodcraft and Penn State Industries.
Used Marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Since quality woodworking tools last decades, used specialty items in good condition offer great value. Learn to inspect condition before purchasing.
Cost Considerations: Specialty woodworking tools range widely in price from $50 coping saws to $3000 CNC machines or more. Consider what projects you want to take on, space required and costs before investing. Building up tools over years is wise for serious hobbyists.
Conclusion
While woodworking requires commitment and skill, certain specialty woodworking tools make achieving quality results more efficient, repeatable and fun. Safety using any power tools is imperative through reading manuals and using guards. Start simple and add tools as your expertise rises. Most importantly, enjoy the process of creating, not just the end products. Please comment below on your specialty woodworking tool experiences or questions!
FAQs
What are some basic specialty woodworking tools to start out with?
For beginning woodworkers looking to advance from just using hand tools, consider starting with basic power tools like a jigsaw, power drill, orbital sander and small wood lathe. Safety courses are recommended for all power tools.
Is buying used specialty woodworking tools recommend?
Used tools can offer great value but inspect them thoroughly first for damage, missing guards or parts, and overall functionality. Well-cared for older tools often outperform low-cost new import brands if a quality make. Clean and tune them up as needed.
What projects need steam bending woodworking equipment?
Steam bending allows making solid wood curved elements like sled or kayak fronts, table edges, curved architectural features on furniture, and instrument components like guitar sides. The graceful shapes add beauty while retaining strength.
Can I build my own wood specialty tools?
With some metalworking expertise, you can build certain woodworking tools like routers, lathe chisels, bending forms, clamps and jigs. Use rigid, high-quality materials that withstand forces involved. Consider strength, precision and safety with any shop-built tool.
What is the benefit of CNC machines for woodworking?
CNC machines allow completely automatic cutting of wooden parts for 3D puzzles, decorative panels, sculptures, cabinets, guitars…anything designed on a computer. They provide accuracy and repeatability impossible by hand but require software skills.
Are there woodworking specialty tools for hobbyists with physical limitations?
Yes, many adaptive tools like one-handed clamps, routers, carvers and electric sanders enable woodworking by those without full limb functionality. Contact rehabilitation facilities for recommendations.
What common mistakes should I avoid with specialty woodworking tools?
Read tool manuals thoroughly, follow all guards and safety procedures, inspect equipment before operation, go slow initially, and do not force tools beyond their design capacity. Take lessons if possible. Safety is imperative with all electrical saws and lathes which can seize clothing or hair. Ask experienced woodworkers for further, specific guidance.
External Links
Fine Woodworking Magazine – Excellent woodworking tips and education
American Woodworker – Leading woodworking site since 1996
Popular Woodworking – Quality woodworking plans, articles and community
Steve Ramsey Woodworking for Mere Mortals – Popular YouTube woodworking channel with tutorials