Joinery at its Best 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 |
|
Ear
Protection |
Ear
muffs are easiest to use but plugs are fine. If loud pounding bothers
you be sure to bring. |
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 |
For
lubricating your plane and other tools. 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 |
|
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 |
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 15.307.15
in the Japan Woodworker Catalogue. (www.japanwoodworker.com) |
1 |
|
Shoulder
Plane |
|
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. |