The Basics of Carpentry | The Range
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The Basics of Carpentry

If you've marvelled at a well-made piece of furniture, a creative craft project, or simply a straight shelf and had the urge to reach for a hammer yourself, you may find it a little hard to get started. If you've tried a few DIY projects, or have a few tools already, but are still in the dark as to what you actually need to get going, this short guide will help. Here is a short summary of the absolute basics you'll need to get started on your first project!

Safety First

Working with sharp tools, especially power tools, is dangerous. If you buy absolutely nothing else, invest in some safety equipment. A dust mask will stop you from inhaling sawdust whilst sanding, sawing or drilling. Some safety goggles will protect your eyes from sawdust as well as stray splinters. A pair of cut-resistant work gloves will protect you against small scrapes and cuts. However, the best defence against injury is vigilance and respect for your tools. If you opt to work with power tools, a pair of ear defenders will protect your ears from damage over time.

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Picking a Project

You may already have an idea about what you want to make, but even if you don’t, we have some pointers to help you make your choice when starting out.

Start Small  – Pace yourself and start with the simpler projects first. Woodworking is about learning to do a lot of small tasks well over time, rather than producing a masterpiece in one session. There will be bad cuts, wonky joints and plenty of pokey screws along the way, so embrace the learning process. Even if it’s just learning to make a solid joint, or a straight cut, these little triumphs all add up.

Plan Ahead – Whenever you are starting a project, plan ahead as much as possible. There is a maxim for woodworking that rings true for every project: Measure twice, cut once. Knowing the materials, cuts and fittings you need before you even reach for your saw will make for a smoother experience.

Setting Up Shop

Having a good workspace is essential to making woodworking safe and enjoyable. Before you set up shop take some time to think carefully about the space you’ll be working in.

Working with sharp tools and making precision cuts means you need as much light as you can get. If you can’t see your work properly, look at investing in some better lighting. You will also have to make considerations for ventilation, as sawdust from sanding and strong solvents can hang in the air. Additionally, making sure you have enough space to move around and set up your tools is essential. Ideally, you want space for a workbench, sawhorse and a place to put your toolbox and materials. A separate space like a shed or garage is best, as you will have fewer distractions.

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The Right Tools for the Job

Once you have a space to work, the right safety equipment and a good idea of what you want to build, what tools do you need? It is easy to get overwhelmed with the breadth of tools, fixings and fittings available, as well as what each tool is for. We can’t give you an exhaustive list, that would be a whole book! However, here are some of the most basic pieces that no workbench should be without.

Measuring

You won’t get so much as a single cut right without a trusty measuring tape. You may want to invest in a steel rule too, for marking straight lines for cutting. A framing square is a simple guide for joining two pieces of wood correctly, such as when making a corner. If you are making boxes from wood such as planters, birdhouses and anything where two pieces meet at right angles, you will need a framing square. Mark your measurements with these flat carpentry pencils so you know where to cut. Their handy flat shape means they won’t roll off your bench whilst you’re working!

Cutting and Shaping

Once you have a piece measured, you will need to cut, shape and work the wood itself. Here are some basic tools types and what they are for.

A workbench or sawhorse secures a piece so that it won’t move around whilst you are trying to cut it. You should invest in a few G-clamps for more complex pieces, extra security, or for keeping pieces together whilst glue dries. No matter how complex the project, you’re likely to need a good solid hand saw for cutting straight lines, so don’t be afraid to invest a little more in this. For cutting angles accurately, a mitre box is essential. A coping saw is used to make precise cuts and for small details. A jigsaw is a mechanical handheld saw that moves the blade up and down very rapidly - perfect for making cuts in thinner wood panels or cutting in sweeping curves or circles.

Fixing and Finishing

A decent power drill is essential. Depending on your project, you may need different attachments (bits) to gouge, drill and screw. You will also need a decent claw hammer for driving nails and removing ones that don't quite sit right. Likewise, a softer mallet is required for putting joints together and driving chisels without damaging them in the process.

You’ll need plenty of nails, screws, glues and other items to make sure that your project stays together. The size and type of nails you need (if you need nails at all) will be determined by your project, though a mixture of sizes is never a bad idea when putting together your first toolbox. For many lighter projects such as decorative, craft-based items, some good wood glue is all you need. Some basic sandpaper pieces are enough to smooth unsightly edges and scrape away leftover splinters, however, for more involved projects you may want to invest in an electric sander.

No matter how far you want to take your projects, you'll be amazed by the things that you can make with just a few basic tools, some forward planning, and a methodical approach. We hope this guide has given you some of the basic ideas and tools you'll need to get started, all you need to do now is pick a project and get sawing!

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