Making or repairing your own furniture may sound difficult, but with the right tools and some practice, you can easily build your own furniture, and save yourself a ton of money in the process. Here are a few of the essential tools you will need.
Measuring Equipment
The first thing you need is a selection of measuring equipment. DIY is all about “measure twice, cut once:” therefore, you need to have the right measuring tools available. A folding ruler, measuring tape, set squares,available from woodworking specialists like Carbatec should be in your toolbox.
Jigsaw
A jigsaw is a brilliant tool for cutting curves, circles, and many other shapes out of wood and metal. It is also one of the best tools for furniture making, as you don’t always want straight lines and edges.
The fact that a jigsaw can also cut through metal means you can easily incorporate the material into your projects.
Circular Saw
For cutting large pieces of wood, the quickest and best way to do so is to use a circular saw. Much like a jigsaw, a circular saw can also be used to cut metal, plastic, and masonry with ease, and replaces many other hand-powered tools you may already own.
The beauty of the circular saw is the speed at which you can cut through material, with added precision. This makes circular saws one of the best tools for making furniture.
Drill
A drill is another essential tool for furniture building and repair simply because it it better and more efficient than a screwdriver when it comes to inserting essential screws in your furniture.
Most drills will be great at what you need them to do, but in the effort to save money, investing in a high-quality drill to begin with will save you money in the long run as there will be less need for replacements and repairs.
Sanding Equipment
If you are going to be working with wood, you will need a selection of sanding paper and an electric sander. Sanding can be one of the most laborious jobs out there in woodworking, especially if you are going after a certain look or feel.
However, when you have the right sanding tools, you are not only able to speed the process up, but you are also able to get a professional-level finish.
Hammer
When it comes to more delicate jobs and applying upholstery, you will need a hammer. Once again, there is no need to get the best of the best, but instead, invest in a few hammers that have different sized heads and weights.
You may not use all of them all the time, but it is better to have the options available to ensure you don’t use the wrong tool and end up with a finished product that isn’t perfect.
Screwdriver Set
Once again, when doing more precision work and upholstery, you will be using a lot of screws, and therefore, you need a screwdriver set. Screwdrivers can be very expensive, but you should most definitely focus on quality over quantity.
You will need both flat-head and Phillips head screwdrivers, but also pay attention to the screws you use the most often, and then add screwdrivers to your toolbox as or when you need them.
Workbench
A workbench isn’t a necessity, but it does make building furniture much easier and more convenient. The sturdy surface makes everything from drilling to hammering much easier, and the level surface means you achieve far more precision.
They are also ideal for your bigger pieces of equipment, as you can clamp your circular saw, for example, which gives you much more control when using it. This is also far safer than using it on a bench or table that isn’t designed for DIY.
Clamps
Speaking of clamps, you will quickly find yourself needing and using them far more than you first expected. Clamps are necessary for keeping pieces of material or tools in place when cutting, sawing, drilling, or hammering them, as your own body alone can’t keep them steady enough.
There will also be plenty of jobs that require you to use both your hands at the same time, and there is clearly no way for you to hold anything else when this is happening; hence, clamps of all shapes and sizes are needed.
Nail/Staple Gun
A nail and staple gun is great for many furniture-making jobs. They can be used to keep pieces in place before fully securing them, they can be used to add extra connection points, and they can also be used for upholstery.
A staple gun is fairly inexpensive, but nail guns can cost a fair bit of money. Because of this, it is best to start with a staple gun, and then invest in a nail gun if you find yourself needing one on a regular basis.
While there are certainly more tools that you can add to this list, these are some of the best ones if you are just starting your furniture-making journey, or if you are a DIY pro looking to move into the world of furniture.
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