What tools and supplies do I need to buy to start building furniture and decor out of twigs and sticks?
Question:I have a HUGE slash pile that I want to turn into furniture and usable items. I'm a big fan of rustic / lodge furnishings and decor, and would like to try my hand at making some myself. What kind of tools do you recommend I buy? What other supplies? Until I know whether I can do this, I don't want to invest in expensive power tools or a workbench. Just the basics. I have a hammer and screwdrivers, and that's about it. Ideas?? Also, what tool would I use to scratch designs into the wood?
Answers:
I know you say you don't want to invest in power tools or a bench, but they really are (at least the bench) the foundation of modern woodworking.
I would first tell you to spend a day at your local library reading up on furniture making and working with raw wood. You will find a huge amount of resources at your disposal.
In addition to your current tools, I would recommend: a spokeshave, Gorilla glue (don't use too much!), garden clippers (make great 90 degree cuts in thin green wood), good heavy twine or jute rope, interior/exterior polyurethere, a good handsaw and invest $40 or so in a power jig saw. It's a very versatile tool and I think you'll use it frequently. I would also buy at least 4 clamps (hand or screw).
I can think of a few that will be essential. No power tools makes for a lot of muscle power though. You'll need a drill brace. This is a device that looks somewhat like the letter U. It has a pad on one end, and handle in the middle, and a chuck on the other end. Auger bits can be chucked in and turned by hand to make mortises in your branches. Another tool would be an tenon cutter. It is a circular tube that has a cutting edge inside the when turned around the outside of a stick will make a round tenon that, if you drill the right size hole will accommodate the mortise you make in the other stick. Basic saws are also a necessity. Almost any kind of wood saw that you find comfortable to use will do. Some wood chisels will probably be needed too. At least 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4" bench or butt chisels is would be what I would start with. I think you will find a spoke shave of benefit. Maybe a hand plane too. If you think I am really piling on what you need understand that I have $42K of woodworking tools and equipment and I want $10K more so what I am suggesting is really minimal.
Hi, I also have a pile of cut branches left from pruning various trees. I won't let anyone throw them out, and lord help them if they try. I try making furiture out of them, I can't see just letting them rot ,I think because there from nature, you know, grown not made. It would be helpfull it you had a Chisel, a Spokeshave is real fun, but I don't know that you would use that for much of anything else. They make tools for wood burning . Use that for your designs. I would recomend on getting a cordless ,"Dremmel Tool." it has cutters sanding drums , d-burrers, all kinds of stuff. But I think just a plane Chisel would be the most benifical to you. On the other hand, I use my Dremmel to sand, cut , and Drill holes with. You can get little Cir. Saw blades to use, for cutting small, little things. Then I use my Scroll Saw to cut larger things. If I have big sticks to cut, I whip out my one hundred year old Dissten Handsaw. That cuts the best of all of them. I keep it sharp, so it cuts fast . You'll also need a wood workers Vise. You'll really need one of those to hold your wood while you cut it. I think the more you do on the pieces, the more you'll
figure out what you need to work with. Only one word of advise for buying tools, 1. Never buy Cheep tools. thats what they turn out to be ,Cheep pieces of trash you can't use.2. Never let a sales MAN talk you into buying a paticular tool. They want to make a sell, and treat you like a idiot because your a woman.(and they really do this, still! In Todays world!)Just ask them to tell you about the features ,functions ,and the benifits of that item. That's all .3. look for sale on tools. you can save alot on tools if your carefull. 4. try to buy only name brand tools, like Stanley tools, Vaughn,Starrette,Cooper group,Eastwing.Dremmel.Black and Decker Power tools. That way you'll know that the warrentys are good. Tools that have a life long warrenty are useually ony good for the life of the tool, or the life of the company, which sometimes isn't very long. 5. Have alot of fun, and alot of Band-aids too! Bye
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