Handtool Joinery Tool List
Quantity |
Size/Grade |
Tool
or Item |
Comments |
1 |
10
to 18 point |
Backsaw
|
Crosscut
or rip filing is o.k. Avoid very thin backsaws, especially Japanese
for they do not work well for half-blind dovetails. |
1 |
#5 |
Bench
Plane (Must Have) |
Do
not rush out and buy new planes. It is Ernie's feeling that classic
planes (found at any flea market) work better and are a better value
than new planes. New planes generally require more tuning than a
classic. We have classics available in our store. They are guaranteed
by Ernie to work to perfection and are generally less expensive than
new planes. |
1 |
#4
or #3 |
Bench
Plane (Nice to Have) |
If
you are going to buy new Lie-Nielsen, |
1 |
|
Bevel
|
We
often have antique bevels in our store |
1 |
|
Cabinet
Scraper |
Mostly
for half-blind dovetails |
1 |
|
Carvers
Mallet |
Round
wooden type is best; the rubber headed types are too "bouncy.
Japanese metal hammers for this purpose are o.k. |
1 |
12" |
Combination
Square |
The
Starrett Combination square is a good investment. |
1 |
4"
to 6" |
Dividers
|
Size
refers to length of legs and a small pair is better! |
1 |
12,
14 or 16 oz |
Hammer |
Standard
claw or Japanese is fine. |
1 |
|
Marking/Mortising
Gauge |
Traditionally
marking and mortising gauges were separate tools but now days they are
combined into one tool for economy. If you have separate marking and
mortising, that is better. |
1 |
|
Notepad |
|
1 |
chunk |
Paraffin
Wax |
Canning
wax is perfect and can be found at most grocery stores. Old candle
will do. |
1 |
|
Pencil |
|
1 |
|
Pliers
(Vice grip or tongue and groove) |
Good
for pulling nails loosening stubborn screws and lids, etc. |
1 |
Tape
or Folding |
Ruler
|
6"
or 12" steel rule is also nice to have and a folding rule is more
accurate than a tape. |
1 |
|
Safety
Glasses |
You
must have a minimum of safety glasses, Most prescription glasses are
safety lenses, but need side shields to be true safety. If in doubt
bring face shield to go over glasses. |
2 |
120
grit |
Sandpaper |
We
favor Klingspore PS 33 in a B weight which is a stearated, open coat,
aluminum oxide paper. |
2 |
180
grit |
Sandpaper |
We
favor Klingspore PS 33 in a B weight which is a stearated, open coat,
aluminum oxide paper. |
2 |
220
grit |
Sandpaper |
We
favor Klingspore PS 33 in a B weight which is a stearated, open coat,
aluminum oxide paper. |
2 |
8"
to 10" |
Screw
Clamps |
Size
refers to length of jaw |
1 |
Straight |
Screw
driver |
|
1 |
Phillips |
Screw
driver |
|
1 |
1/4"
to 3/4" |
Set
of Bevel Edge Chisels (Also known as Carpenter's chisels) |
Buy
an 8 (or even 10) piece set, rather than a 5, if you can afford it. It
is most useful to have a 1/8" chisel for dovetails. Be sure to
buy "bench" chisels and not the shorter "butt"
chisel which is commonly all that is available at hardware stores.
Japanese chisels (Oire-Nomi) are excellent but expensive. The Japanese
drive their chisels with a Japanese hammer and this is Ernie's
practice. |
1 |
|
Shoulder
Plane |
|
1 |
|
Straight
Edge |
12"Steel
Rule is fine which is the blade to your combination square |
1 |
stick |
White
Chalk |
|
Nice
to Have but Not Necessary |
|
||
2
to 4 |
That
will span 32" |
Bar
clamps |
We
have lots, but if you are driving and feel like throwing a couple in
they will come in handy. |
1 |
|
Ear
Protection |
Ear
muffs are easiest to use but plugs are fine. If loud pounding bothers
you be sure to bring. |
1 |
crosscut
& rip |
Hand
Saws |
Ernie
recommends old handsaws and check with our store for antiques. These
tools are not necessary and only need to be brought along if you would
like to learn to use them well. |
1 |
rip
|
Hand
Saws |
Same
as above. |
1 |
1/4" |
|
We
have plenty of loaners at the workshop |
1 |
5/8” |
Japanese Butterfly Chisel (Bachi Nomi) |
This
is a great chisel for half-blind dovetails (in place of an 1/8”)
even if the rest of your chisels are English. This is item 15.330.15
in the Japan Woodworker Catalogue. (www.japanwoodworker.com) |
1 |
|
Your
own sharpening system |
We
have a Tormek system as well as plenty of whetstones but you may want
help learning to use your own.
|
We offer evening workshop hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening during this class. Workshops reopen at 6:30 pm and close at 10:00 pm.