Woodworking: Techniques, Tools, Projects, and Everything You Need to Know

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this work is to move beyond the simple, step-by-step practical side of creating certain wooden furniture or other items.

The contents and the organization of this book have been designed as a short Teach Yourself course, of interest both to a large number of beginners and even to professional experts. The reader, depending on his knowledge of woodworking, can therefore choose the parts which are of most interest to him.

The book is organized into three major sections which combine to form a compact summary of sufficient information for the reader to acquire a level at which he is able to work alone, experimenting with the wide range of items that can be created in wood.

The first section you will read is called "The Basics". This introduces us to wood itself, which can be extremely difficult to work with without first knowing its secrets; and what operations, however simple they may appear, entail difficulties that can only be explained by someone who has learned his trade thoroughly.

The second section is called "Preparation". It deals with the most commonly used tools, and what you will need for a workbench in terms of preparing all the operations for creating your projects.

Last, we have the "Step-by-Step" section. As do the first two sections, it progresses from the simple to the difficult. We start with basic jobs to practice simple tasks such as joints, extension joints, gluing, and fittings. We then move on to less simple procedures and end with a series of exercises, building toys and furniture. These exercises are not only progressively more difficult but also on a larger scale.

It would be pretentious to think that in just a few pages we have gathered together all the secrets of one of the oldest professions in the world. Our aim is to summarize the most important information so as to arouse the reader’s interest in this fine profession. If we achieve this, we will be satisfied.

Vicenç Gibert

THE BASICS

In this chapter we shall deal with the subjects that can provide an overall view of wood as the basic element in carpentry, either as sawn wood or different types of board. Naturally, without forgetting elements so important in woodworking as fittings, glues, and joints.

This preliminary introduction to the world of woodworking concludes with a section in which we deal with the different types of finish, from the most common ones such as putty to more specific, delicate finishes such as lacquer.

This overview is designed to clarify the basic principles used in woodworking, from the different types of wood itself to the tools we use to transform them.

WOOD

As we begin to study wood as our raw material, we should also remember that the tree is, in fact, the raw material of nature: whether in urban or rural areas, trees are a natural pleasure for the eye and the spirit. Whether standing alone, or in groups, on streets, plazas, or parks, they offer us their beneficial effects without which many living beings, including people, would find life much more difficult.

Types of Saw Timber

The name joiner’s wood is used to distinguish between work carried out in the workshop from that done on site, called structural carpentry. This difference arises from the different sizes of the workpieces. Structural carpentry involves large scale workpieces which would be impossible to handle, transport, and assemble in a workshop. Neither should we forget that the size of the instruments for works of this size must also be on the same scale, so we also distinguish between workshop tools and assembly tools.

Our intention here is not to give a detailed, botanical analysis of each type of wood, but a useful description of the main trees whose wood is sold. The reader will find a complete description of the trees and characteristics of its wood, such as its density, hardness, quality, flaws, region where found, and most common applications. The trees described here are the most widely marketed European woods.

FIR

Where found: Basically in central and southern Europe, in mountainous areas between the Pyrenees and Russia, though it is also found in North America, East and Central Asia.

Characteristics: Light cream- or ocher colored wood, with an undulating grain which is a light brown or pink color against the characteristic sapwood color. It is easy to work as it is light, soft, and flexible, though also highly resistant and hard-wearing both in the open air and under water. It is advisable, however, not to subject it to brusque changes, because it will immediately become moldy and open to attack by fungi when moved from damp conditions to very dry ones.

Applications: Used in joiner’s or shop carpentry and structural carpentry, furniture frames, parts and soundboxes for musical instruments and a variety of ship parts, such as masts.

CHESTNUT

Where found: Mediterranean area and certain regions in central and northern Europe, such as Switzerland, Germany, and even southern England.

Characteristics: Light reddish ocher colored wood, with a coarse grain, chestnut is similar to oak. It is easy to cut and is hard-wearing in water, although it tends to become brittle in contact with air; it is highly resistant to insects. Easier to work than oak, it is difficult to plane. It can be bent into curves and is highly stable when dry.

Applications: Commonly used for staircases, and as a substitute for oak in carpentry and cabinet-making: tables, wardrobes, and all kinds of furniture, especially that used outdoors.

CHERRYWOOD

Where found: Mainly in Europe, although it can also be found in Asia Minor, United States of America, and the Caucasus.

Characteristics: Very fine grain wood, light colored though with dark brown pores. Fairly hard though easily attached by woodworm. It should be carefully dried as it tends to warp, but is fairly stable when dry; is resistant through not particularly rigid. Wears well outdoors.

Applications: Used in fine cabinetmaking as it is easy to work and cut by hand or machine and is beautiful when polished and varnished. It is used for string instruments, cigarette holders, pipes and chairs. It can also be used for making mesh teeth and different sculptures.

ASH

Where found: Throughout Europe, mostly in medium height forests; there are also similar species in Japan and the USA.

Characteristics: Cream-colored, slightly pinkish or gray wood, with a bold grain and very pronounced growth rings. It is hard and tough, quick drying, and fairly stable. Highly resistant to blows and vibrations. It is also perishable, so is not suited to outdoor applications, unless it has been treated accordingly. Easy to saw and machine, it provides a good finish although splinters are sometimes lifted when planing. Can be steam bent into a curve with ease.

Applications: Generally speaking, it is used for curved objects and furniture, such as tennis rackets, hockey sticks, baseball bats, gymnasium equipment and handles for tools. Also used for the curved sections of boats.

BEECH

Where found: This is a tree that grows readily in temperate regions in northern Europe, as does the oak.

Characteristics: Whitish colored wood, with pink tones when steam dried. It has a fine, even texture and straight grain. It dries quickly but has a tendency to twist and once dry, it moves noticeably when there are changes in humidity. It blackens and rots quickly in water, and is not suited to outdoor applications. It resists heat and can easily be bent into shape. It is also easy to plane and does not readily split; also good for turning.

Applications: A most suitable wood for furniture, especially if they are adorned with turned features. Also good for many household items, such as spoons and tool handles; can also be used for toys, boxes and parquetry.

WALNUT

Where found: Mainly in warm and temperate regions in the northern hemisphere in Europe. Although it originally came from the Near East, it now grows mainly in Europe, receiving the name European walnut.

Characteristics: Semi-heavy wood, good mechanical resistance and therefore highly prized; dark gray in color, with almost black streaks; fairly straight, gently curved grain. Medium resistance to fungi. Very difficult to split or crack, easy to cut, glue, polish, and varnish. Dries slowly and usually has beautiful heartwood.

Applications: One of the most decorative woods which has been used since ancient times for furniture making. Being a solid wood, it is used in fine cabinetmaking, elegant staircases, turning and sculpture. Also used for panelling furniture and cladding.

OLIVE

Where found: All southern European countries, preferably those in the Mediterranean basin.

Characteristics: Yellow-colored, with dark veins and patches; is compact, resistant and hard. Olive wood dries slowly and has a certain tendency to crack. Combines high density and fine texture. Moderately resistant to fungi.

Applications: Being easy to saw and work, it is used for furniture interiors, moldings, door panels, parquet, and boxes. Does not split when nailed.

ELM

Where found: Especially in central and southern Europe, although it can also be found in large areas of Scandinavia. Variations of elm also grow in America and Asia.

Characteristics: Hard, heavy wood, with crisscross fibers which provide goof mechanical resistance under compression. Reddish-brown in color with gentle rays. Long-lasting wood and highly resistant to fungi. Its tight, irregular grain makes it difficult to plane, polish, and varnish although, being highly porous, it absorbs glue well.

Applications: Used in coachwork, carpentry, and cabinetmaking in general, although it is difficult to finish. Mainly used for structural elements that must be continuously exposed to damp, such as fishing boats or parts of larger boats.

PINE

Where found: Also called Scotch pine, it grows naturally almost throughout Europe and central Asia, with large areas also in Sweden, Finland, Russia, and Poland.

Characteristics: The most widely-sold wood nowadays. It has very pronounced annual growth rings with highly variable features depending on its place of origin. It is easy to work and to nail or glue. Dries quickly and is stable provided the workpiece does not have many knots. Good quality pine should have alternating hard and soft veins, the latter being lighter in color. Pine is also a very resinous wood and is therefore highly resistant to the elements.

Applications: Top quality pine is used for fine carpentry and furniture making, while ordinary quality pine is used in home construction, boxes and joints. It is also a major source of wood pulp for paper manufacturing.

BANANA

Where found: We refer here to the western variety, as there is an eastern type which is seldom used in Europe. Grows throughout All of Europe except in the most northern areas.

Characteristics: Copper-gray colored wood, with highly visible rays on surfaces which have been cross cut. Also light and fibrous, similar to beech, with a fine, even texture and a straight grain that does not warp on drying. Easily attached by woodworm; acts well under water, but not exposed to outdoor damp.

Applications: Wood suitable for moldings, cartwright work, and applications similar to those of beechwood.

OAK

Where found: Grows in most areas, the best quality coming from the Croatian area, Germany and USA.

Characteristics: Very hard and water resistant wood (in wood it becomes even harder), though being highly dense, it is also very heavy. Dark yellow in color with a coarse grain and straight, long, flexible fibers. Nails driven into oak, especially if the wood is fresh, are almost impossible to pull out.

Applications: Used in quality furniture, but also in the ship industry, building, parquet, and artistic carvings, as it is easy to work, and dyes and varnishes well. Other famous uses are to make staves for quality liqueur or wine barrels.

Squaring

Wood undergoes different processes of transformation, treatment, and modifications in order to obtain wood products for commercial use such as those found in special wood markets.

Standardization provides wood and other wood products in identical or similar dimensions and quality, so the user can find wood with the same properties throughout the country.

This leads us to the term squaring, which defines the pieces by their shortest dimensions, width and thickness, to which we can, of course, add the length, although it does not form part of