I want to build furniture, what power tools do I need?
Question:I want to build a daybead, a TV stand and a desk. I've sketched out the designs, they are very simple with clean lines. A suggestion about what material/wood would be nice too. Thanks!
Answers:
Without knowing your skill level or design this is a tough question to answer.
If you're planning to just build these pieces of furniture and then be done with furniture making I would just suggest paying someone to do it for you.
If this is some sort of hobby you are looking to get into or something you can do as side work my suggestion would be to find someone who is experienced and willing to teach you. You could also check and see if a vocational school near you has some type of class you could take.
Also if you check your local library there should be plenty of books on furniture making, cabinetmaking, and woodworking. Pick up a few with project plans and look for something similar to your design. This will give you a better idea of what you'll need and help you develop a plan of action for your project.
Also feel free to check out my site for more information on woodworking tools. It's not completely done but I think you may find some of the info handy when choosing tools.
Watch "The New Yankee Workshop" on PBS, and all will be revealed to you. It really depends upon how fancy you want to get.
The tool selection for this type for project would depend on your skill level and how you want the finished product to look.
To make fine furniture you will need several tools. Table saw, circular saw, sanders -belt, orbital, and finish, a variable speed drill, jig saw, router ( the best is to get one with a removable plunge base), numerous hand tools. Wood working is a hobby of mine and I have produced some nice furniture with some basic tools listed above. I have invested close to $3,000 US in my work shop and tools and still do not have a great set up or anything close to what I would need to make furniture. The items you asked about are all simple and could be done simplistically with a circular saw, sander, and some hand tools. I would say that if you do not have these tools already and do not plan using them regularly then consider the price of buying the furniture you want versus the cost of purchasing the material and tools.
Jig saw, drill, orbital sander, elmers wood glue, clamps, wood is your choice, I prefer oak but it is spendy, as is walnut or clear pine. Shop, shop and do it again. you will need wood putty, a nail sink, finish nails, a finish--I always like a satin gloss poly one. you will need tack cloths, wax paper to make sure glue does not get on the wood, or you should stain your wood and finish first. Or you might just watch Craig's list and wait till you see something you like. Without a planer/jointer your wood will not go together without gaps. I have made furniture, I watched a daughter in law spend about $700. on tools and lumber and get it cut out and declare it too much work and walk away. Wood warped and tools rusted. Lots of work involved no matter how simple and straight your designs are. You will also need a choice of blades and bits and they are spendy. I paid $220. for my last jig saw.
You can do a lot with a table saw and a drill. You also need something to sand the wood with and life is a lot easier if you have a nail gun and air compressor. Other than that, the normal hand tools like hammer, screwdrivers, wood clamps, glue are also required. I like working with oak because of the way it looks when done, but depending on what kind of finish you want, that is a personal preference. Pine is the cheapest and easiest to work with, but the end product will never look as good.
Check our rocklers.com or grizzly.com for some ideas about products and prices.
it's cheaper to go out and buy it
If you keep to a simple straight line design & if you're just starting out, a table saw would be a big plus.
Look for second hand or even a small portable that contractors use.
A palm sander, clamps for gluing, a variable speed drill & maybe a dowelling jig ( cheap , maybe a jig saw.
A few odds & ends as the need arises , but you can get good results with just the basics.
Any wood will do depending on the look you want.
Pine is cheap,soft & easy to work with , not the easiest to get a decent finish.
Harder wood like oak, maple, cherry & walnut will let you get crisper lines .
Hardwood veneer ,plywood will save you a lot of joining & you can finish off w/ solids.
Staining is easiest on the harder woods & take easy to apply oil finishes well.
Not a big fan of polyurethanes , but if you must, spraycans aint bad.
Keep it simple & have a good time.
OOOOOOOOOOH Susan! If you don't know what tools to use, you're in trouble. I suggest you stick with designing. I just built a solid wood bedroom suit (all raised panels) for my son ( who just got married). That, too, was "simple with clean lines". However, everything being relevant, it depends on how experienced you are at woodworking.
I was in Lowe's a couple days ago and looked Through some DIY books on their shelf, all stores have them at the help counter and there were several on small projects like you are talking about and they also explain the tools needed with a materials list, you could use them to match up close to your own personal designs.
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