The Workhorse of the Shop Power Tools
Power tools are handheld and powered by internal combustion, electricity or compressed air. They are used to cut, drill and sanding materials.
One of the most important power tools that every woodworker should have is a table saw that makes quick work of nearly any cutting task. Also consider a miter saw stand and a drill/driver set.
Table Saw
A table saw is the most powerful of the shop power tools, and is perhaps the most versatile woodworking tool. It is able to cut cross-cut, miter cut, and even dado and rabbet stock. It also cuts angled surfaces for chests, frames or planters.
The saw has a large circular blade that spins at high speeds. It has tables that are quite large (infeed and outfeed) that support the wood as it moves through the blade. A blade guard protects the blade, stopping wood from getting caught and being thrown back to the operator. The saw is further protected by the splitter or riving blade that is a vertical projection that is located directly behind the blade that could be in the shape of a fin or pin.
Contractor-style table saws have a larger motor that hinges to the rear of the saw and drives the blade with two or three rubber v-belts. They are typically used by carpenters but are also available in shops for home use. These saws have more features, including the sliding mitertable, as opposed to portable ones.
Table saws that are smaller come with smaller motors, which is usually belt-driven. These saws are more geared towards hobbyists and domestic use. Some have the sliding miter table which allows users to cut intricate cuts, such as those for picture and mirror frames or boxes, cases and drawers.
Utilizing a table saw correctly is essential to avoid injuries. Always be to the left of the blade when you are making cutting rips and keep your hands away from the edge of the saw. When cutting, it's essential to use a guide block or push stick. This is particularly true in commercial environments where HSE guidelines require you to maintain a minimum away from the blade.
Many woodworking projects call for tapered legs. The simplest and fastest method of cutting them is using a table saw and a simple adjustable tapering jig which you can create at home. A tapering jig can be set for any angle between zero and fifteen degrees. This allows you to cut any set for tapered legs in your workshop.
Bandsaw
A bandsaw is ideal for cutting different shapes out of metal and wood making it an essential tool for custom fabrication. It's also a valuable tool to make furniture, cabinetry, and other woodworking projects. The saw can be used for cutting curved cuts like circles and also cut through various materials, including ice.
There are two main types of bandsaws: the vertical and horizontal. Vertical bandsaws are generally used for freehand cutting and excel at resawing as well as curved cuts, while horizontal bandsaws excel in making straight and cut angles. The saw can be operated either manually or through a powered feed system. Manual bandsaws require that users manually lower and lift the blade with each cut. Power fed systems are more efficient.
Safety is the most important factor when using bandsaws. Wear protective gear such as safety goggles or ear protection to shield yourself from noise and sawdust. Keep your feet and hands away from the blade to avoid injuries and accidents. It's also essential to properly set the saw to ensure safety, making sure that the blade is securely secured and aligned correctly and that the guides are adjusted.
Depending on the type of material you are cutting, you might need to adjust the feed rate and saw speed to get the most efficient results. Regular maintenance, including adjustments to the tension and tracking of the blade, will ensure that your bandsaw produces accurate and clean cuts and extends its life.
The blade of a bandsaw will usually be made from heat-treated steel to withstand wear and tear that is caused from frequent use. The teeth are also welded to the saw which gives it a unique shape and preventing them from being pulled loose or damaged in the event of a sudden shock.
The size of the throat of the bandsaw determines the size of material it can cut. Larger throat depths are used to cut larger lumber pieces and are useful to rip or resaw, both of which require cutting across grain. It is also important to note that some bandsaws come with tilting tables that could be beneficial for making certain types of angled cuts or making use of scrap wood.
Dust Collector
Woodworking tools create a lot of dust and chips that must be disposed of to safeguard your health and maintain the cleanliness of your shop as well as the durability of your equipment. The kind of collector you require is determined by the size and number of power tools you use in your woodshop as well depending on the frequency of their use. The most effective woodworking dust collection systems provide superior filtration to remove tiny particles and allow you to breathe easier, healthier and more comfortable as you work.
Whether you have a small one-man workshop or a large production woodworking facility, Nederman has dust collection solutions that meet your needs. Our woodworking dust management, waste management, and combustible-dust management solutions combine environmental care with improvements in machine productivity.
There are many types of woodshop dust collection systems on the market that include:
A basic dust extractor could replace your shop vac. These units hook up to power tools using the hose that connects the dust port on your machine. The hose is activated when you switch on the tool and draws dust and debris out of your workspace.
Based on the brand you select, the majority of dust extractors are equipped with HEPA filters that effectively eliminate dust particles of fine size which can cause respiratory problems over time. They also have a higher CFM (cubic feet per minute) airflow, which allows for a greater volume of air. They may also include an airspeed indicator and a system which automatically cleans the filters.
If you own a huge shop or would like to be able to utilize your woodworking tool in the field using a portable dust collector equipped with a rechargeable source of power and a plug-in connector that connects directly to the power tool is an ideal option. These units are lightweight and can be used with multiple tools at once. These units are compact and have a caster-base. They also include an empty bag or filter to make it easy to empty.
If you're a skilled woodworker or contractor, you may need an even more powerful dust collection system. These units are more costly than extractors, but they offer a wider selection of filtration options and can be mounted to a wall or even in their own space. These units can be used to clean plaster, drywall and other demolition tasks as well as woodworking projects.
Planer
The planer is an essential tool that every woodshop should ever be without. It may not be the sexiest or most flashy but it does make one of the biggest improvements in your ability to transform rough lumber into useful and beautiful projects. It is used to take boards down to a specific thickness and it works on both hardwoods and softwoods. It can also be very helpful for dealing with unwieldy, knotty or twisted stock that is impossible to work with using hand tools.
A good quality portable planer could be worth the price of admission to any woodworking shop. You may be able to find a good price on a planer that's slightly used, but you should be attentive to the condition of the cutter head and infeed and outfeed tables. These items will determine the performance of your planer, and whether it will last for a long time before you have to replace components. If the cutter head is not of high-quality, it will wear out quickly and you may have to replace it in a very short amount of time.
The jointer and the planer are not the exact same machine. The jointer produces a piece of wood straight and flat, while the plane cuts it to a specified thickness. Some woodworkers will utilize both machines together to complete the task, but both are essential for any workshop that handles rough lumber on a regular basis.
A commercial-grade planer is a great investment if you want to work with wood professionally and are looking for quality equipment. They are designed to operate in situations where production speed is more important than finishing the surface. These machines will save you a deal of time, but you must be careful not to overload them. They may burn out. They also have to be maintained in a way that ensures that they continue to operate properly. A regular maintenance schedule in the shop can help prolong the life of your planer.