History of Woodworking

Woodworking has what may be the longest history of any hobby as people have been working with wood since the beginning of time. The ancient Egyptians and Chinese both were adept at woodworking. Some of the ancient furniture in the Egyptian tombs were made of wood and fashioned with bronze and copper tools. The Chinese introduced the chalk line and other woodworking equipment still in common use today.

Old Woodworking Machines

Woodworking machinery has evolved along with the hobby. The drill press, for instance, is a stationary machine that requires less pressure than a hand held drill. Another type of old woodworking machines is the band saw, a narrow row of toothed metal that runs on two wheels and is used to cut irregular shapes. Planers create boards that have an even thickness, or makes straight edges on a board.

Often a vintage piece of woodworking equipment will work extremely well, perhaps even better than a newer piece. Purchasing used woodworking tools can be a great way to save some money on this fun hobby, and to acquire extremely high quality equipment that has been well and lovingly maintained.

What is Included in the Process of Woodworking?

Woodworking includes a lot of processes. You will employ skills in the field of carpentry, shaping and forming the wood, joining pieces together, and even carving. The wide range of tools and skill sets involved in the various facets of wood working is part of the attraction of the hobby.

Different Types of Wood Used In Woodworking

When you are doing a woodworking project, you will first need to decide on the piece of wood you are going to use. Different types of wood have different strengths and colors. Here are some common types of wood used in woodworking.

• Cedar - Cedar is a durable wood that lets off a pleasant aroma that dissuades moths from entering clothing. It is generally red in color with honey toned streaks.
• American Black Walnut - A dark-colored wood, American Black Walnut is so hard you may actually require special tools to work with it.
• Mahogany - Mahogany is a medium, red colored wood, with a beautiful grain, and is relatively hard.
• Rosewood - Rosewood is a pretty wood with beautiful variations, but it is too soft for some projects.
• Maple - Maple is a light colored wood, and is often not stained. Maple is one of the hardest woods used in woodworking.
• Oak - Oak is either white or red. Oak is commonly used in kitchen cabinets and in furniture. It is a durable wood with a coarse grain.

Categories of Woodworking Tools

Woodworking tools fall into five main categories beginning with measuring tools like rulers, squares, and straightedges. The second category of woodworking equipment is the cutting tools often characterized by woodworking power tools like saws. Because cutting tools can dull over time, avoid purchasing used woodworking tools that fall into this category. The third category of tools are for shaping and include planes, rotary tools, chisels, and drill presses. Anything used to manipulate your wood into the desired shape or style is a shaping tool.

The fourth category is the assembly tools. These tools allow you to put your piece together. Assembly tools include more woodworking power tools, like drills, as well as hammers, screwdrivers, and clamps. The fifth and final category of woodworking tools are for finishing and include sandpaper, paint brushes, spray guns, files and similar implements.

Continue to: Considerations before Making a Woodworking Machinery or Beginning a Project