If you are interested in woodwork and joinery and are thinking of creating a workshop but have no idea what to do, this article is for you. Whether you are doing this as a hobby or as a profession, you will require a few quality tools to start with. The good news is that, you don’t need that many tools to start a workshop. Here is a list of the main pieces of woodwork machinery you will need to tackle any project.
Table saw
This is the most versatile and productive tool in woodworking. A table saw can rip, dado, mitre-cut, cross-cut, square, rabbet and apply shapes to edges of wood. It enables you to make cleaner and more precise cuts, making it easier for you to fit the pieces together perfectly.
Investing in a good table saw is crucial, especially if you will be working with bulky and sturdy materials. Before you buy a table saw, do a bit of research to see what would best fit your needs.
Band saw
Band saws are used for making deep cuts in straight and shaped components. It is commonly used to create irregular shapes and to also resaw or rip timber into thinner slabs. Its thin blade also helps minimise wastage, making it a more economical choice. With a band saw in your workshop, you can also be able to cut other materials such as metal, if you have the right blades.
Panel saw
A panel saw is necessary for every workshop. It is used to cut sheet materials such as chip wood, plastic, wood, and MDF. It has an aluminium sliding table that moves the material being cut, for extra precision. It also creates soft edges that require minimal finishing, therefore making work easier for you. Panel saws are available in small table models as well as large floor models.
Manufacturers are working on developing panel saws equipped with automatic movements to help increase accuracy and reduce set up time, so definitely be on the lookout for that.
Planer thicknesser
This tool must be on your must-have list for workshop tools. It works by planning one side of a board at a time, therefore producing boards with consistent thickness and smooth surfaces. It can also be used to straighten bent parts of materials. A planer thicknesser is more economical compared to other similar tools because it rarely produces tapered boards.
CNC router
This is a multi-functional machine. It is used in multiple operations such as routing, drilling and sawing with specific computer numerical control via a computer interface. The computer interface guarantees excellent cut quality as well as high productivity. When purchasing this machine, you can add several optional features depending on your needs.
Sanders
When working with wood, you have to smooth the surface for a more aesthetically pleasing finish. To do so, you may require both an edge sander as well as a planetary sander for the curved areas. There are so many options when it comes to sanders, so your budget should guide you into making a decision.
The tools mentioned above are enough to kickstart your career in woodworking. They are versatile, and they are able to do multiple functions. When purchasing woodworking tools and machines, ensure that you only buy from a trusted company. These tools are not exactly cheap, so make sure that you get your money’s worth.
It will take time to grow your dream tool collection, and the only way to do it faster is by getting good quality machines that will not require constant repairs or even replacements.
