Woodcrafting means turning out articles from wood. These articles must be properly cut and finished to acquire any degree of utility. To do this the woodcrafter needs to have the proper complement of tools and supplies. Wood just can’t be cut and shaped with bare hands! There are many stores that carry woodcrafting equipment and ancillary supplies. A woodcrafter will have his preferences about which store he wants to give his custom to.

As a novice carpenter you should find a local store from where you can buy your supplies. Alternatively, you can source your supplies from online stores which abound on the Internet. Here is a brief rundown on the essentials you should get together for your new venture into carpentry.

The table saw is a power tool that is essential equipment for any serious woodcrafter. You will need it to cut lumber to size for whatever project you’re building. Pay attention to the specifications of the model you buy, because it is going to be a durable investment for your foray into the field of carpentry.

The table saw is the workhorse that will do all the drudge work in your shop. It will save you hours of work everyday. Imagine using a handsaw to get through that pile of planks! Because of its utility and the nature of work it must be capable of handling; you should buy the one that is best suited to your anticipated projects and to your budget. If your budget doesn’t allow for a brand new table saw, you can get yourself a second-hand machine in good repair. Maybe you know another woodcrafter who’s upgrading his table saw.

Most people see the band saw as an unnecessary tool. Not so. The band saw is worth its weight in gold when it does those jobs which are either very time consuming or downright impossible with other tools. You use a band saw to crosscut, cut out large circles, and rip lumber. This power tool is the second-most important tool in your armory of tools.

Almost everyone knows the power drill, our next tool. It is basically used to drill holes in and through wood. Drill bits come in various diameters and lengths to enable you to drill holes of specific sizes. A boring bit cuts out rather large holes in wood. The drill can be fitted with a number of alternate tool bits to do multifarious tasks. For example, you can fit a sanding disc on the drill, and sand down the surface of wood. A buffing attachment will let you buff the article after polishing. The drill can screw and unscrew screws and bolts, and run nuts.

A set of general purpose hand tools is your fourth requirement. This includes measuring tools to size up the wood according to the design plan. Some joints are cut at an angle. You will need a measuring tool to determine that the angle is correct. The success of your project depends on getting the dimensions right.

The router is another power tool. It is used to cut fancy shapes in wood. The router comes with an assortment of router blades and bits, which you use to produce flutes, grooves and rounded edges. A router will give your project a professional finesse.

All the tools described in this article are like your faithful servants. They ask not for bread or water, but they do require maintenance to perform well. Preventive maintenance will save you the irritation of unexpected downtime and projected time over-run! Tools should never be exposed to moisture. Moisture will encourage rust to form on the tools. This is a sure way to waste your investment! The maintenance required is nothing more complex than simple cleaning and lubrication. The tools should be thoroughly cleaned and then rubbed with a cloth with a small, short dab of oil on it. The oil will prevent rust from setting in, thus increasing the tool’s service life.

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