Carpentry Essentials: Tools Tips and Techniques for Every Woodworker, by Robert Wearing, is a comprehensive woodworking book for novice carpenters and advanced woodworkers alike. The book contains detailed plans for a variety of projects including tables, chairs, cabinets, and furniture. It also provides expert advice on the setup of a workshop, tools, and techniques for woodworking. An introductory book that introduces the key vocabulary and basic skills needed for woodworking, this manual uses simple projects to develop confidence and knowledge of hand tools and power tools. Featuring helpful illustrations, this book is an essential reference tool for any woodworker. A good selection of basic hand tools is a must for any carpenter who works with wood. A few of the most important include a claw hammer, a nail setter, and a chisel.
A claw hammer is useful for removing nails and driving them back in where necessary without damaging the surface of the wood. A nail setter, which looks like a small awl, is used to drive in nail heads so they are flush or right below the surface of the wood. This allows for a clean finish that can be stained or painted. A hammer and nail setter both require regular sharpening to keep them working properly. Another important hand tool is a marking knife, which is a flat blade that creates crisp layout lines on a workpiece. These lines can then be cut with a saw or chisel to form the desired shape of the project. It is recommended that a marking knife be purchased in several different sizes to accommodate various projects. A compass or combination square is another woodworking tool that helps with measurements and angles. It can help carpenters and woodworkers transfer measurements from a ruler or tape measure to the piece of wood they are cutting.
A metal square is a more precise and durable option than a plastic one, which can warp in heat or be damaged by rough handling in a shop environment. Any woodworker should have a good-quality screw gun. These are similar to a drill but have the advantage of using a screw instead of a nail. They are often used to install window or door frames, as well as studs and headers. A woodworker should also have a good quality ratchet screwdriver, which is ideal for tight spaces that are difficult to reach with a standard screwdriver. A jig is another indispensable tool for woodworking, providing a guide for tools to make identical cuts or curves.
A jig saves time and effort by eliminating the need to manually measure the piece of wood for each new cut or curve. It is a time-saver for repetitive tasks or when making a large number of identical items. This is a book of over 1,200 lavish full-color step-by-step illustrations designed for beginners and moderately experienced woodworkers. It covers topics that range from setting up a workshop to designing and building furniture. It is packed with tips and techniques that will make the woodworker’s life easier and more productive.