| If building a cottage is the first large project you | | | | to the middle. Running the plane through will split the |
| have attempted, you've probably been wondering | | | | end wood. |
| what tools you should have. In the following | | | | The brace and various sizes of bits are used to make |
| paragraphs I am going to describe most of those | | | | holes. The brace, a crank-like tool, is usually held at |
| that will be useful. Not all are essential. | | | | the top by the left hand, the right hand doing the |
| You probably already own the essential ones. These | | | | cranking. Unless you have an angular cut, be sure to |
| are: hammer, screw driver, saw (crosscut, also ripsaw | | | | hold the brace perpendicular to the wood. Wood bits |
| if possible), plane, bit and brace, chisel, pliers, file, try | | | | usually have screw ends. There are some exceptions. |
| square, 6-foot rule, level, spatula. If you don't have all | | | | The screw helps to pull the bit through the wood. If |
| of these tools, I'd suggest that you get them. | | | | the material being cut is thin, use a backup board to |
| Those odd jobs that you've been doing around the | | | | prevent splintering of the wood on the back. |
| house have probably made you fairly familiar with the | | | | Chisels are used to rout pieces of wood and in |
| essential tools. But in case you have forgotten here is | | | | making mortises. They come in various widths from 1 |
| a quick review of how to use them. | | | | 8 inch to 2 inches. They may be used in your hands |
| The hammer is used to drive nails, to pull them out, | | | | or with a hammer. |
| and as a lever. When using the hammer to drive nails, | | | | Pliers have many uses. They may be used to remove |
| be sure to tap the nail first in order to establish its | | | | nuts from bolts, to pull out nails, and to hold various |
| direction, and then drive the nail home. Hold the | | | | materials. |
| hammer near the end of the handle so that you get | | | | Files are steel tools with many ridges or teeth. They |
| the maximum force from the swing. When removing | | | | are used to smooth away wood or metal. You'll find |
| nails from finished work, put a block of wood under | | | | them particularly helpful in removing jagged pieces of |
| the head so that the wood is not marred. | | | | wood. You can also use them to do the rough |
| Screw drivers come in many sizes and shapes. Have | | | | sharpening of your tools. |
| several types in your toolbox. | | | | Try squares are helpful in making square cuts of |
| Saws are used to cut materials. The most common | | | | wood. Whenever you have a piece of wood to cut |
| type is the panel saw. Depending on the set of the | | | | square, don't rely on your eye; use the try square. |
| teeth, saws are usually classified as ripsaws or | | | | The rule is used to measure distances. The 6-foot |
| crosscut saws. You will use these saws to rip or cut | | | | rule with an adjustable endpiece is particularly good. |
| most of the wood in your cottage unless you use | | | | The sliding adjuster makes it possible to measure |
| power equipment. | | | | tight spots more accurately. |
| Planes are used to smooth wood surfaces and to | | | | Levels are used to test surfaces for levelness. Use it |
| take off excess wood that is too little to be cut with | | | | often; don't trust your eye. |
| a saw. There are many types of planes, but the two | | | | Spatulas are useful in spreading wood fillers and paint. |
| most common ones are the jack plane and the block | | | | They are helpful when puttying windows. |
| plane. | | | | Shovels are used for digging. The ends taper. Spades |
| The block plane is usually used for short choppy cuts. | | | | have broad square ends. |
| The plane should be held firmly and a steady | | | | Pickaxes are used to break ground that is hard. They |
| pressure should be applied. Unless you are purposely | | | | vary in weight. |
| making something concave, don't let up on the | | | | Sawhorses provide a place to rest boards or panels |
| pressure near the end of the board - follow through. | | | | for cutting. |
| When cutting across the grain, work from the edges | | | | |