I'm venturing into the world of furniture building and I've already got some power tools like a circular saw, jigsaw, table saw, drill, driver, and random orbit sander. Now, I'm curious about hand tools that might make my life easier in this new hobby. I've come across a mention of a card scraper, which was new to me, and I'm sure there are many other small hand tools out there that could be beneficial. What are your go-to hand tools for furniture building?
3 Answers
One essential hand tool that many overlook is the rasp. It's super useful for shaping and smoothing wood. I've got an old one that belonged to my great grandpa, and it still works like a charm! For more versatility, consider getting a Shinto rasp—those things are amazing for finer details and removing material quickly.
I still use my grandpa's rasp too—best tool ever!
Since you're just starting out, I'd suggest a good hand plane, like a Stanley #4, along with a card scraper and quality chisels. A Japanese pull saw could be a game changer, and don't forget about clamps—you'll need a solid set of those. I'd also recommend investing in some sharpening supplies and a marking knife for precision work.
Thanks for the tips! Are you using any specific joinery materials?
Absolutely! I've been meaning to grab some flush cut and coping saws too.
Before you rush out to buy everything, it’s a good idea to pick a project first. Research the tools you’ll need for that specific project—sometimes, you might find that you don't need as many tools as you think! Just focus on what's required.
Definitely solid advice! But, I'm a pro at buying tools, just saying! ?
I totally agree! Shinto rasps are a game changer.