Woodworking: How it's done

Working wood with tools

There is probably no other material that has fascinated people for centuries as much as wood. Woodworking is one of the oldest trades with different specialisations and focuses. Different techniques are still used in woodworking, just as they were many years ago. Only the tools have evolved over time.

Table of contents Woodworking:

• What tools are needed for woodworking?

• How can I recognise high-quality woodworking tools?

• Can a joiner's workbench be used for metalworking?

• What is the difference between a planer, a thickness planer and a jointer?

• What is the difference between a rasp and a file for working wood?

• Can any wood be polished?

• Is wall paint (emulsion paint) suitable for painting wood?

What tools are needed for woodworking?

Various tools are required for woodworking, which have been specially designed for this work and should not be missing in any hobby or professional workshop. The basic equipment includes

• a stable workbench with clamping options (vice)

• various saws (foxtail, circular saw, jigsaw, Japanese saw)

• Clamps in various sizes

• Planes, rasps and files

• Chisels of different sizes and shapes

• Fine and coarse sandpaper

• Wooden hammer and locksmith's hammers with different weights

• Measuring tools such as square, spirit level, folding rule, tape measure

• Tools for marking out and marking

• Drill with wood, Forstner and auger bits

These tools and equipment are only part of the basic equipment when working with wood. With this equipment, most work on and with wood can be carried out well and quickly . The more work is done with wood, the more the equipment will be expanded over the years. For example, routers, a router table, a pillar drill, a thickness planer, a sliding table saw and other machines.
 

How can I recognise high-quality woodworking tools?

When working with wood, as with other craft activities, high-quality tools make the work easier. Good tools help to achieve accurate results and, with good care, will work perfectly for many years. Last but not least, high-quality tools with sharp cutting edges and a sturdy construction protect against injuries that are often caused by poor quality tools. There are various features and seals by which you can recognise high-quality tools for woodworking. First and foremost is the TÜV-GS mark.

Only tools and machines for woodworking that have been tested accordingly may bear the TÜV-GS mark. This seal of quality is now recognised worldwide. The TÜV-GS mark guarantees that the tool or machine fulfils certain safety requirements and is safe to work with.

Another way of recognising high-quality woodworking tools and machines is the manufacturer. Renowned manufacturers generally only produce good and safe tools and machines of a reliable and high quality. Brand manufacturers have a good reputation to lose and cannot afford to produce products of inferior quality.

Another quality feature is the manufacturer's confirmation that a particular tool or machine has been manufactured in accordance with the specifications in the relevant standards. There are various DIN standards that serve renowned and reputable manufacturers as a basis for the development and production of high-quality and safe woodworking machines and tools.

Can a joiner's workbench be used for metalworking?

It is possible, but if possible you should not use a workbench for metalworking. Although the work surface of a workbench is generously dimensioned with a thickness of 50 mm or more, the entire bench is made of wood. Metal splinters produced when sawing, filing or drilling metal workpieces can be pressed into the relatively soft wood and start to rust. This may also discolour, scratch and thus ruin subsequently processed wooden workpieces.

In addition, the front and rear clamps integrated into a workbench are also made of wood. This has the advantage that wooden workpieces clamped with these tongs are not damaged. However, higher forces are required when working with metal. These forces can damage the front and rear pliers. A workbench suitable for this purpose should always be selected for metalworking.

What is the difference between a planer, a thickness planer and a jointer?

A planer is the general term for a tool operated by hand or with the aid of an electric motor that can be used to process wooden workpieces. A planer always contains at least one blade that lifts thin chips from the workpiece surface.

A thickness planer is always a motorised planer that reduces wooden workpieces to a specific thickness. A surface planer is used to smooth and level the surface of wooden workpieces. For example, for rough-sawn boards.

What is the difference between a rasp and a file for woodworking?

The biggest difference between a rasp and a file is the arrangement of the teeth. On a file, the teeth are arranged in a row one behind the other. The teeth are relatively fine compared to those of a rasp. Files are generally used when not much material needs to be removed.

The teeth of a rasp are usually larger than those of a file. They are not arranged in a line, but offset to each other. A rasp can be used to remove larger quantities of material from wood, but also from plaster or leather. Another difference is that the size of the teeth increases over the length of the rasp. With a file, on the other hand, the teeth are the same size along the entire length.
 

Can any wood be polished?

In principle, you can polish any wood. However, hard wood such as oak, beech or Douglas fir is easier to polish than soft wood. Spruce and fir, pine and larch are less suitable for polishing. For polishing, the wood must first be finely sanded and then waxed. This is because the wax layer on the wood is polished to a high gloss, not the wood itself. Soft cotton cloths or special polishing fleece and polishing discs for sanding machines are best for this.
 

Is wall paint (emulsion paint) suitable for painting wood?

Commercially available wall paints are generally so-called emulsion paints. Emulsion paints adhere to many different substrates. These paints can be used not only on wallpaper or masonry, but also on concrete and wood. However, as emulsion paint contains a lot of water, wood should be treated with a wood primer before painting with this paint. The primer reduces the absorbency of the wood and prevents too much moisture from penetrating the wood and damaging it.
 

Tips for craftsmen when working with wood: