Today on the blog we’re taking a look at some of the fundamental skills every aspiring woodworker or carpenter should know. Thes 5 essential knowledge points can make a world of difference in creating a durable, functional end product whether you’re building a birdhouse, a tiny home, cabinetry, a bookshelf, or working on home repairs. This is by no means an exhaustive list of tasks and information, but makes a great springboard for further exploration! We’ve also included some videos in the post for additional learning assistance. Check it out below, and let us know what other carpentry tips or skills you’d like to learn about next!
What are the basic fundamentals of carpentry every woodworker should know?
Learn different methods of cutting - This one may seem like a “no-brainer”, but in actuality there are a number of essential skills and types of cutting you need to learn. Being able to cut and chips with carving knives and gloves can help you hone small details and edges of your woodworking; you should understand how to do a paring cut, thumb push cut, stop cut, stab cut, and how to score. Knowing how to use a hand saw as well as powered saw options is essential, and understanding when to use which option will help you create more skilled builds; creating angled cuts with a miter saw for instance can help you create seamless aesthetics and help you join together two pieces cleanly. Understanding how to properly cut lumber and materials at different angles and measurements means you can create unique projects to fit any space. A carpenter should understand how to create a crosscut, rip cut, miter cut, bevel cut, dado cut, groove cut, rabbet cut, kerf-bending, mortise and tenon joints, compound cut, jigsaw cut, and plunge cut.
Here’s a helpful video to get you started:
Learn the intricacies of drilling- Understanding how to use drills for boring allows a carpenter or woodworker to fit pieces together with precision. Creating holes, slots and housings for hinges and screws, and connecting two pieces of wood is an essential part of building. Carpenters and woodworkers should know how to create a blind hole, through hole, holes to house hinges, pocket holes, holes with a countersink for screws and bolts with flared heads to sit flush, etc. Understanding what drill bit is required for the project means you’ll create something stable and durable; the size and material of the drill bit you’re using depends on the lumber or building material the project requires; selecting the right type of bit can prevent you from damaging or burning the materials, and give you the finish quality you desire. Depending on the scale of the project, a carpenter may use a standard corded or cordless hand-held drill, a boring machine, impact driver, drill press, etc.
Here’s a helpful video to get you started:
Use a hand plane and sander to smooth or trim a surface - This is an incredibly versatile tool for all carpenters, and a classic inclusion in any woodworkers toolbox. It can be utilized to shave down a micro-thin layer of wood more precisely than a sander. A Hand plane can help slice the edge of your lumber to accurately fit a cabinet door, drawer, door into a frame, window trime, molding, baseboards, etc. These generally range from 6 to 14 inches long, with a handle on the top and a flat bottom edge with a razor-sharp blade known as the “shoe” of the plane. Some carpenters use a trimming or pocket plane. It’s also important that you understand how to maintain the sharp blade on your hand plane by keeping in mind the grain of the wood you’re cutting, and regular sharpening and oiling of both sides of the blade. Knowing when to use a handplane versus a sander is key! Sanding can help smooth out your wood surfaces, remove blemishes and scratches or dents, prepares the wood for finishing, and can help paint adherence. You can sand things by hand with sandpaper and a sanding block, or employ an electric sander for larger areas or faster application. Remember to always sand with the grain unless you’re removing deep scratches.
How to use a hand plane:
How to use an electric sander:
How to sand correctly by hand:
Gluing is essential - Another vital skill on our list that might seem like a “duh” moment, but it is absolutely important to understand the types of glue and when you apply which adhesive where. Most woodworking glues will create an immensely strong bond that is as strong or stronger than your lumber material, meaning almost all options will yield a durable bond for just about any project. However, it’s still best to understand when each adhesive is required for best results. Yellow Glue, made of aliphatic resin or PVA, can be utilized for most gluing tasks, but they have an extremely short active working time of about 5 to 15 minutes; likewise Hot Hide Glue, made from animal proteins, has an even shorter working time if it reaches under 120 degrees. Liquid Hide glue offers 30 to 45 minutes of working time, but also has a long cure time for clamping - it’s best to leave for a minimum of 6-12 hours, or overnight. Urea Formaldehyde can be used for tasks like lamination or veneers. Epoxy can help a carpenter fill in holes, gouges, nicks, and knots as well as marrying two pieces that are not easy to attach; depending on the hardeners used, it can have a working time of 5 to 60 minutes, with clamp times of 45 mins to overnight. Cyanoacrylate glue has an instant bond and dries very quickly; it is best for non-structural and quick repairs only.
How to select the right glue for your woodworking project:
Know which type of lumber or material is right for each project, and what sizes you’ll need - Every carpenter and woodworker should understand the properties and difference between hardwood and softwood. Hardwood comes from deciduous trees, has a rougher wood texture, is porous, dense, and a little pricier; this includes maple, oak, walnut, ash, birch, maple, hickory. Softwood comes from coniferous evergreens, has a fine wood texture, is non-porous, and is less dense; this includes spruce, fir, cedar, hemlock, larch, and pine. In our particular line of work, the most traditional choices for indoor handrails and stairs are red oak, white oak, poplar, cherry, maple, ash, and pine.
What kind of wood should you build with:
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