Questions tagged [tool-selection]

When you are not sure what tools would best suit a particular application or project. (Please note that this tag should not be used for tool purchasing recommendations, as purchasing recommendations are out of scope for this site.)

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Does it matter what kind of diamond stone I get?

I am looking into getting a set of diamond stones so I can start some serious sharpening. I am doing some now with sandpaper but I am starting to find aspects tedious and am looking at other options. ...
Matt's user avatar
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17 votes
3 answers
20k views

Caliper Showdown: Dial vs. Digital vs. Vernier

I recently purchased a digital caliper to make more precise measurements than a basic variety vernier and it works great. I wanted them to measure the width of my table saw for making my sled runners. ...
Matt's user avatar
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15 votes
6 answers
13k views

Why are keyed drill chucks still available for modern tools?

Barring support for older tools why are keyed chucks still manufactured? Hopefully not just in my own ignorance but I view keyless chucks as just a useful equivalent without being tethered to the need ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 20.2k
14 votes
5 answers
61k views

How can I cleanly cut a large circle out of plywood?

How can I cut a large (3.5' - 4' in diameter) circle out of a 4x8 sheet of plywood. The preferred method would be one that doesn't leave any holes/marks in the circle's plywood surface. It needs to ...
Programmer's user avatar
  • 1,494
11 votes
3 answers
534 views

What should one consider when purchasing an intro turning chisel set?

I'm a total beginner when it comes to turning, but am interested in doing more of it both to help augment my woodworking (e.g. everything from custom button plugs to chair legs etc) as well as to do ...
Doov's user avatar
  • 1,409
11 votes
1 answer
996 views

Tungsten Carbide grades

A lot of different tools from saw blades to router bits use different carbide "C" grades. I read and there are types like C2, C3, K10. What is the difference between all these? A description on each ...
Ljk2000's user avatar
  • 3,098
10 votes
5 answers
3k views

Are there alternative tools to a straight ironing rasp (or why are they so hard to find)?

I'm looking for a tool to smooth/flatten down a surface in a rectangular channel in the center of a piece of wood (I constructed the piece by gluing two halves together, but stupidly didn't clean the ...
Doov's user avatar
  • 1,409
10 votes
1 answer
26k views

Substitute for Pocket Hole Jig?

Pocket Hole jig is really expensive for me and I don't plan to buy one right away. So, as a newbie I was searching for any alternative. I have seen many videos and stuff over the net but as a fresher ...
mustangDC's user avatar
  • 275
9 votes
6 answers
13k views

What is the old-school way of smoothing a curved surface?

I have heard that the old-school way of creating a flat surface is to use a hand plane, and that if you use the right tools, you may not even have to sand because the surface is so smooth. Can I use a ...
Merlyn Morgan-Graham's user avatar
9 votes
5 answers
11k views

What tools/methods I could use to create a small circular recess?

I have a pallet style table that I am building. I have a plate of contoured glass that will sit on top of it. To discourage it's movement off the table I was going to put some rubber feet on the base ...
Matt's user avatar
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9 votes
3 answers
6k views

Is all fine grit count sandpaper called wet/dry?

I need to start getting into sharpening and honing so naturally one of the ways I could go would be to get some sandpaper in the 500 + grit count range. (That decision is based off a great video I saw ...
Matt's user avatar
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9 votes
3 answers
7k views

Do auger bits have advantages?

While not the focus of the question I wanted to point out that when it comes to drill presses I almost always see forstner bits suggested here at WW (for good reason of course). Much to my surprise ...
Matt's user avatar
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9 votes
4 answers
1k views

What determines carving tools/chisels quality?

I wish to get into wood carving I just don't know where to start and what I should be looking for when looking for a set of carving tools. What determines the quality of one set over another? Yes, I ...
mvr007's user avatar
  • 574
9 votes
3 answers
835 views

Cutting a wooden box into 2 pieces, with special shape

I want to cut a wooden box (3 X 3 X 3 INCH) the same as the attached image. Every CNC shop told me that they cannot do that. I tried to do it with regular saw, but it wasn't good as you can see. Does ...
zira's user avatar
  • 91
9 votes
2 answers
626 views

How to cut a parallel groove on three dimensional profile

I'm trying to build a replacement for a coffee table drawer that went missing years ago. I remember the drawer front matched the profile of the skirt on the table, so I was able to make a template ...
Steve In CO's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
3k views

What tools can I use for carving

I am new to woodworking and want to get started with carving on woods. I bought some hand tools, but I am open for power tools. Please suggest any and all tools, hand and powered, that are really ...
gpuguy's user avatar
  • 191
9 votes
1 answer
305 views

Pyrography criteria to justify changing tools with different woods?

I have been using a binding-post interchangeable-tip pen (as seen in the third image here https://www.razertip.com/pyrography-pens.htm) from The Razertip® Wood Burning Systems for over 10 years now ...
EngBIRD's user avatar
  • 431
8 votes
3 answers
30k views

What is the difference between a dead center and a live center?

I am getting way ahead myself and looking at plans and examples of treadle lathes. One in particular was talking about his dead centre and how it was not as good as a live centre for his treadle lathe ...
Matt's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
2k views

Do you need to countersink self-countsink screws

New to the forum and a bit clueless when it comes to DIY. I'll be putting down some new floor boards and then laying subfloor sheet to give a nice even surface. I'm using 18mm floorboards and 3mm ...
Alex Goldie's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
9k views

What hand tools to use for rounding edges and creating pockets?

I've seen some tutorials online about how to create a cutting board, and all of them suggests using a power router to round the edges and create the pockets for the handles. It looks so easy to do ...
OKAN's user avatar
  • 949
8 votes
1 answer
336 views

What features and accessories should I look for in purchasing a used lathe

My shop is mostly complete, but one gap is a wood lathe. I have lived without one, but I could use some custom turnings from time to time and have avoided turning bowls etc. although I would like to ...
Ashlar's user avatar
  • 8,454
7 votes
4 answers
3k views

Help needed to decide between a miter saw or sliding miter saw

I occasionally do some wood project for fun. I already have a 10” table saw and I have a limited budget to buy a 10” miter saw. My budget allows me to either buy a Dewalt DW713 or a lower brand ...
Allan Xu's user avatar
  • 328
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Sanding inside pockets, fast

I have a sanding job that requires sanding inside many small pockets - a few thousand. I tested the speed I could get doing it by hand, and it might be as much of a week of non-stop work. It's time ...
baudot's user avatar
  • 195
7 votes
3 answers
3k views

How do I flatten portions of a 1" dowel equally on both sides?

I broke a hardwood patio umbrella rib. The ribs are made out of 1" x 1/2" x 5'6" hardwood. I don't think that I can buy this dimension. To fix this, I thought that I might buy a 1" hardwood dowel ...
DavidC's user avatar
  • 553
7 votes
2 answers
9k views

How can I debark wood?

I'm up at the cottage and I wanted to make myself a traditional bow saw. I got this green piece of poplar and I need to debark it before I rip it. It's about 4-5 inches in diameter if that matters. ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 20.2k
7 votes
2 answers
7k views

How can I tell if leather is vegetable tanned?

In my continued effort to learn more about sharpening I see that the last step always involves stropping. Purchasing one seemed folly as someone mentioned that woodworkers who buy strops should ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 20.2k
7 votes
5 answers
3k views

How can I create a wooden torus/doughnut?

I was thinking about make a replica Wii wheel for my kids out of wood. That would be about 6" in diameter. It seems a tall order to me as I do not know how to make a concoction like that with any ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 20.2k
7 votes
4 answers
1k views

What is the recommended way to mortise melamine particleboard?

I need to cut square holes in some double sided melamine particleboard 3/4 inch thick. Can I use a hollow chisel mortise (drill press style) to make these holes? I could just experiment with this ...
William Hird's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Substitute for Bench-Top Jointer

My old Sears 5 1/8" jointer motor is dead. I can't find a replacement. Trying to haul a new one to my shop in Mexico seems impractical. I'm contemplating buying a jointer plane or a hand held ...
Carl Carlson's user avatar
6 votes
6 answers
3k views

Small, Lightweight woodworking bench Styles

I am familiar with many types of workbenches. However, most of the good ones weigh a lot - more than a couple hundred pounds in some cases. One of the reasons the weight is important is so that the ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 20.2k
6 votes
5 answers
1k views

What is the difference between a worm and sidewinder drive circular saws?

I didn't even know this was a thing. Then I read comments in this question Worm drive saws are long and unwieldy for all but the burliest of men. I found them a real pain to work with. A Makita is ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 20.2k
6 votes
4 answers
6k views

Build a grid out of vertical, thin wood bars

I want to create a grid out of thin wood bars (slats?), where the slats cross each other on the smaller side, like in this sketch: I would install LEDs in this grid, so it doesn't need to carry any ...
florian h's user avatar
  • 163
6 votes
5 answers
364 views

How do I know what tools I need?

I'd like to get into woodworking and am looking at tools in order to make some small simple storage solutions. I love to sew, but a lot of my recent sewing ideas for around the house have included ...
user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
16k views

How do I carve an inset circle?

I have a circular piece and wood and want to carve a circular 'inset' in the middle - roughly 1-2cm deep (so that there are 'raised' edges all around a 'depressed' middle). What tool would I use to ...
CGriffin's user avatar
  • 163
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is the functional purpose of fluted dowel?

I repaired a small end table recently and one of the aprons used dowel joinery to attach to a leg. I drilled out the dowel since a couple were broken and I wanted then to all be the same. I replaced ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 20.2k
6 votes
4 answers
1k views

What is an accurate and safe way to piece together wood with a rhombus cross section?

I am interested in making a bunch of Penrose tiles. Please note that the triangles and half circle on the figures shouldn't be there, they are for alignment purposes only. One of the tiles is a ...
fred's user avatar
  • 161
6 votes
1 answer
307 views

What is the difference between a $40 dado blade set and a $240 dado blade set ... besides the price? [closed]

I see that dado blade sets start around $40 and go up to $240+ I am wanting to get one as a gift for a friend that is helping me build a small bookshelf. The $40 is much closer to the price range I'd ...
Nick Saemenes's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
2k views

What tools could I use to cut a turned chair leg in half vertically?

My uncle was recently trying to fix up a cabinet that used to belong to my grandfather for my mother. It used to be part of a modular set and you attached the same drawer set on each end. Since she ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 20.2k
5 votes
3 answers
13k views

Pneumatic vs Electric Brad Nail Gun

I do wood projects from time to time around my house. I can see there are many Pneumatic based brad nailers available. I am thinking to avoid buying and adding a compressor to my Garage. I prefer to ...
Allan Xu's user avatar
  • 328
5 votes
4 answers
16k views

What is the best drill bit for MDF?

I want to drill holes in MDF of varying thicknesses, laid out to sub millimetre precision. In other words, I need the positioning of the center of the holes to be accurate to within a half millimetre (...
Paul Uszak's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

What tool can cut thin wood or acrylic/plexiglass without melting it that is suitable for NYC apartment?

I live in NYC. I have a small roof deck but mostly must work inside and I have very little space to keep tools. I need to build cases for my electronics projects. Acrylic/plexiglass seems like a nice ...
futurebird's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
7k views

How to cut an opening and door out of 3/4" Plywood

I want to cut a mostly rectangular hole out of a piece of 3/4" plywood about 21" wide by 32" tall. I would like the corners to be somewhat rounded (about a 1" - 2" radius), and I want to rehang the ...
Sentinel's user avatar
  • 155
5 votes
2 answers
371 views

What are the ideal traditional tools to use for creating an inlay?

I know how I can create one kind of fake inlay. I would like to know what is involved, at least at a basic level, how one creates inlays using traditional techniques and tools. What tools could I ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 20.2k
4 votes
3 answers
331 views

Bandsaw vs Table Saw

I am toying between 2 options for my next workshop power tool. A bandsaw or table saw. Both I am looking at have a maximum cutting depth of 80mm, both have fences to enable straight cuts and both ...
Chris Rogers's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
140 views

How can I improve my strategy for flush trimming with a router?

I always have trouble with flush trimming. I use clamps to keep the piece in place but it gets in the way. Is it better to use a table router or a hand router? Couldn't I use some sort of double ...
Ljk2000's user avatar
  • 3,098
4 votes
3 answers
3k views

What are the differences between the K4, K5, and Foreman Pocket-hole Machine?

My husband is planning to make new cabinets for our kitchen and I'm looking at a Kreg Jig for him. What are the differences between the K4, K5 and the Foreman pocket hole machine?
Patty S's user avatar
  • 41
4 votes
1 answer
991 views

How can I hollow a cherry log to use as a newel post?

I want to make a very unique newel post for the indoor winding stairs of my barn house. I have a cherry log that is of ample length and approximately 10 inches in diameter. What I am picturing is a ...
Tennessean's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

Can I use sculptor chisels with a lathe?

I got a tiny (almost "toy") lathe, for turning wood. The problem is the chisel I got with it was totally a toy; total crap made of some bendy, soft iron I ruined on the first try. The lathe, tiny as ...
SF.'s user avatar
  • 208
4 votes
1 answer
3k views

What method or tool is available to make the following type of hole/indent in a piece of wood? [duplicate]

I would like to make a sphere like hole in a piece of wood like the image below. Is there a special bit or tool to do this?
rgmrtn's user avatar
  • 631
4 votes
1 answer
431 views

How to make a wood gear?

I want to know how I could make wooden gears at home without the need of a CNC or a laser. What tool should I use, what are the steps to making one?
Ljk2000's user avatar
  • 3,098