Sanders, saws, hammer drills, screwdrivers… they are all tools that are useful for woodworking, but which is the most suitable for each type of job? The following practical guide will help you to know the woodworking power tools that should not be missing in your workshop.
Before starting to use this type of tool, it is important to make it clear that security is fundamental. If they are not used properly, our physical integrity is at risk. Sanders, saws, or drills typically include security elements in your design but, without a good use of them, the risk of suffering a mishap will always be present.
hammer drill
The hammer drill It is useful both in DIY household tasks and at a professional level. It is a very versatile and effective tool when drilling holes in the wall or emptying material.
It is also called a rotary hammer and includes a trigger-like piece that activates its operation. This system acts as a safety element so that if it is not pressed, the drill does not start.
With this tool it is not only possible to drill different materials such as stone, ceramic or concrete, but thanks to its firing potential the drill rotates on itself at the same time that it generates a forward and backward movement to break the material and move forward.
With pieces of great hardness, such as concrete, it is essential to use percussive tools, otherwise it is almost impossible to drill them. on this website You will find a wide selection of hammers with their main characteristics as a comparison.
In the case of wood, it will be necessary to use a specific bit for this stuff. The most common are:
- Three tips. They are the most used for drilling wood and have three points: the central one is nailed into the wood and the ones on the sides are the ones that cut. They are used for all types of wood: hard, soft, plywood, chipboard, etc.
- Precision Solomonic. Ideal for making precision holes and great depth.
- Countersink. They are used to countersunk countersunk head screws and are used after drilling the hole for the screw with a tri-point drill.
- Forstner. To make a blind hole inside the doors where the cup hinge will fit.
- Flat or shovel. They allow to make holes of a larger diameter than other drills.
- Crown. It consists of a ring gear and a central guide. Large diameter holes can be made with them.
A hammer drill will be useful when we have to do a long-term job drilling wood, as well as on hard or thick wood such as beams or posts, since some of them can drill up to 40 mm.
Belt sander
The belt sander It is mainly used for fast sanding of large flat surfaces. In the case of wood, it will help you polish it and improve its finish.
This tool is made up of an electric motor that rotates a pair of drums on which a continuous piece of sandpaper is mounted. Thanks to its great power, impurities can be removed from the wood until the ideal roughing is achieved. To choose the one that suits you best, you can see this comparison of the best in belt sanders.
On the other hand, there are other types of sanders Depending on the project you want to carry out:
- Manual. Sandpaper, abrasive sponges, blocks…, are recommended on delicate surfaces since much more effort was needed to achieve a polished finish than with an electric sander.
- Delta. Ideal for sanding edges, corners and profiles.
- eccentric. For finishing polishing and sanding, as well as for removing paint and varnish on straight or curved surfaces of wood, metal, plastic or plaster.
- Orbital. For sanding large surfaces.
Jigsaw or jigsaw
With the jigsaw or jigsaw All types of cuts can be made: curved, straight and at an angle. Getting a fine cut and avoiding splintering the wood depends on several factors:
- Tool feedrate. It will depend on the hardness of the material and the direction of the fiber.
- Cutting speed. It is convenient to choose a saw that has several adjustable speed levels.
- Oscillation or pendulum movement. It contributes to faster cuts, but should be lower the thinner the material for a more accurate cut.
- Blade toothing. In general, the more teeth the blade has, the more precise and fine the cut will be.
On the other hand, the jigsaw can incorporate accessories such as cutting guides or to remove dirt and dust, as well as the possibility of changing some parts as they deteriorate.
saber saw
The saber saw or electric sawnot the best tool for precise cuts, but it is useful for demolition work or for disassemble pallets. Saber saw cuts are similar to those of a chainsaw. In addition, with a saw of this type and the appropriate blade, any type of wood can be cut quickly. We can even cut the wood and nails from the pallets at the same time to be able to easily disassemble them and build our own furniture.
Easy to use, this tool is similar to a hand saw but with the advantage of the force exerted by the motor. Its size means that two hands are needed to use it: with one we press the trigger and with the other we hold the front part of the saw blade to direct the cut.
Usually, they have several speeds to better adjust the cut to the type and orientation of the material. Also, as with drills, when the button is not actuated, the tool stops working.
Other woodworking tools
Although with the tools that have been mentioned you will be able to carry out most of your DIY projects, there are other woodworking tools What you should also know:
- Circular saw. To make cuts in a straight line longitudinally or transversally and also at an angle. It can be handheld or stationary (table saw).
- Electric miter saw or miter saw. Especially suitable for making precise angled and beveled cuts.
- Electric brush. To lower the wood, straighten boards and edges, as well as make chamfers. In the case of large boards, it is more convenient to use a thicknesser or planer.
- Milling machine. It can be used both for profiling, and for making grooves in the wood and carving it.
I hope this guide has been useful to you when choosing your woodworking power tools. You will find many more guides on DIY and decoration at
