Decks

The Carpentry tools we need for starting a home project depend on the type of project you want to take on.

Before you start you should check the local building codes and get the proper permits before you start, this may save you money and a lot of headaches.

You will need most of the tools we looked at.

A project that will add to the value of your home is a deck.

There is no end to the styles and shapes of decks.


Lawn & Garden

Block Planes

Block planes are designed to shear off end grain as the blade is mounted at a very low angle making them very useful in trimming and fitting.
Stanley hand planes have dominated the market for a very long time. ( look in you fathers or grandfathers carpentry tool box and you will likley find one or two).

Jointers

Jointers (another type of hand plane, in this case you would use two hands)

These are very long planes used to flatten and joint the faces of boards, they range from 18" to 30". (45 to 75 cm)

They are used to level wide surfaces such as glued up stock that are uneven.

They are not used much these days as they have been replaced by affordable Jointer/Planers which range from 10 to 16" wide and surface one side at a time.



Tools

Jack Planes

These are similar looking to smoothing planes but have a longer base, These hand planes are generaly 12 to 15" long.
They are used mostly for heavy work, for removing large quantities of wood quickly.

You can adjust the depth of the blade to take of a small amout of wood and are realy good if you are trying to level stock that has been glued together to make a wide surface.

smoothing planes

There are many diferent styles of hand planes some made of steel, others made from wood.

Planes for smoothing, these are 8" to 9" long and 1 3/4" to 2" wide.

The short length makes them great for trouble spots, where the grain changes direction and has to be planed in different directions along its length.

These planes can be adjusted (as all planes can be ) to cut a very fine shaving from the wood.

By taking a fine cut reduces the chance of ripping out some of the grain.

If you are in a museum check out some of the real old ones that have a wooden wedge holding the blade in.

hand plane

I can remember my fathers toolbox, had about four or five different sizes of hand planes in it.

they is still around and used for many jobs.
There are a lot of power tools which have taken away some of the jobs that called for hand planes, but there is no better sence of accomplishment than running your fingers over a p[iece of wood which you have just finished by hand.

There aren't as many types as there once were.

A decent new plane will cost $40 and up at the hardware store.

Look for used hand planes for sale at flea markets and garage sales. These vintage tools were built to last, and there's plenty of life in them still.
You can take off just a thin slice of wood, no tool is better for shaving the edge of a sticking door, chamfering the corner of a board, or straightening one that is twisted or warped. That's why most carpenters still pack a hand plane or two in their toolboxes.


Carpentry Tools @ canadiantire.ca

more on router

After trying both directions, , there is a correct way to rout a groove.

Like any hand-held router operation, the router should move left to right.

If the router is moved in the wrong direction, the rotation of the bit can cause the router base to drift away from the fence.

When fed the correct way, the rotation of the bit keeps the base of the router pulled tight against the fence.

using a router

The right way to feed a hand-held router across a workpiece.

When it comes to routing along the edge of a workpiece, everyone agrees it's best to feed the router from left to right.

This way, the bit cuts cleanly into the wood and won't bounce along the edge.
But what about when routing a groove or dado?

With wood on both sides of the bit, is there a wrong direction to push the router?

Rules for Cutting Plywood

Avoid Cross Cutting across the grain, Plywood tends to chip the most when cut across its width (grain).
Cutting along the length of the wood will help to reduce chipping.

Use the Right Blade: Special blades are manufactured for different cutting jobs.

Choose a blade that best matches your specific cutting situation.