What do I need to get started – Are you looking at getting into Woodworking but unsure where to start? What Tools do you need? What projects to do?
In this article I go through the basic steps and tools you need to start woodworking.
Below is what I would consider as the main items needed to get started in Woodworking.
- Woodworking Tools
- Woodworking Safety Equipment
- Somewhere to do your Woodworking
- Materials for your Woodworking Projects
Woodworking Tools
Hand tools are essential part of woodworking. Some may find that they have some of these basic hand tools already.
Before you start looking at purchasing tools you will need to determine the type of woodworking/woodworking projects you want to get into. Some of the types are general furniture and sign making projects, wood carving, wood turning and even wood burning. (Note – Sign making involves larger machine to complete. This would be something to investigate at a later date. If it is something you wish to get into straight away, then there are some great articles on CNC routers that you can look at).
Once you have determined this you can then investigate the tools needed for the particular niche you wish to explore.
There are a wide range of quality and price for each tool. My advice would be to buy the best quality your budget will allow or buy one of the cheapest to get the feel for it and the amount of use it will get and then make a bigger investment based on your needs.
Please Refer to my blog about Woodworking Tools To Get Started which lists the basic tools needed for general woodworking and furniture making.
Woodworking Safety Equipment
When you are at your local hardware store or shopping for your tools online you also need to consider you safety equipment when woodworking.
When beginning to use hand tools, and when you are also experienced you can easily cause some harm with sharp hand tools and when used unforgiving power tools incorrectly or even correctly woodworking can be a dangerous activity.
Reducing the risk with some safety equipment and using some basic safety rules is paramount.
With this in mind you will need to be aware of the risk and you will need to implement the safety rules and tips every time you engage in woodworking.
Getting into good safety habits will help reduce any injuries that could occur.
Here are 5 of my main safety equipment I do not go with out when I am doing woodworking;
Ear Plugs
Ear plugs come in various forms with plugs that (a) insert into the ear, just a side note these can be a little irritating and I was always told that only your elbow should go in your ear, but if you can put up with them they can be really affected. If you are a light sleeper, they may also be useful for that as well if you have not already tried it, and (b) over the ear known as earmuffs. You can even get earmuffs that can play the radio so you can listen to your favourite station or talk back radio.
Either way it is extremely important to protect you hearing. Reduce hearing performance is common amongst people who use power tools. Although you may not be using power tolls straight away you can still generate load noises through impact and other activities when woodworking.
Gloves
When handling timber, moving heavy, sharp or hot items gloves can protect your hands. Gloves can be also helpful when using larger machinery, but you must also be away that they can be a hindrance if they are a loose fit when using larger machinery.
Eye protection
This is important as there is nothing worse than getting something in your eye or even worse losing your site in both or one eye. Again, like ear plugs these come in a variety of styles depending on what you are doing.
There are Anti Fog Ski like Goggles and Standard Anti Fog Safety Glasses.
Closed Shoes
It would also be recommended that you at least wear closed shoes and if handling heavy items, you can also consider getting a pair of Steel Cap Shoes/Boots.
Guards and Shields
When electrical tools and larger machinery are involved then you want to make sure all guards and shields are secure and in place.
Somewhere to do your Woodworking
Not everyone will have the luxury of having a dedicated place to set up and turn into a workshop, maybe not straight away. Not having a dedicated workshop is not an excuse to not starting woodworking.
Places you can set up for a few hours’ world be in the carport, garage, shed or back and front yard.
Down the track you can look at setting yourself up with a more permanent workshop or even build a workshop which I will do a post soon.
If space at your home is limited there may be a community woodworking group that has a location that you many be able to utilise. This can also be a great place to work alongside other woodworkers.
You could be able to rent out a space like a storage space however, this does pose some problems. Some storage places may not allow this type of activity to take place at their premises, there may be laws around what can be stored inside, power may be limited, they may be quite small, and the ventilation could be poor for what you need.
You also may be able to rent a garage or even use a friend’s garage to carry out the projects.
There is also the cost that you will need to take into consideration.
Materials for your Woodworking Projects
There can be a lot of materials and different timbers when selecting materials for project. This can be daunting.
Having said this most good woodworking project plans you can find online or in magazines will have a cutting list (list of materials needed to complete the project). You can copy and print out the list and take it with you when heading down to the local hardware store.
FINAL THOUGHT
It would be my recommendation that you start with the basics and add as you go along.
The items above are a basic place to start because as you go along your journey you can add more hand tools and larger power tools as you need them and as your skill set and budget allows.
If you are still unsure whether to start woodworking go and read my post Why Woodworking is Good for You
Now it’s time to take action.
Happy Woodworking
Regards Ben
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