Woodworking is an art form that dates back to the early American Revolution. Woodworking consists of many skills that include carpentering, furniture making, and bookbinding. It can be very challenging and enjoyable to master. Woodworking can take on many forms, such as a dollhouse, desk, mantel, or even a wood dresser. Many woodworkers enjoy creating custom wood dressers for their homes.
Woodworking can be done in many ways including hand tools, power tools, and machines. Each type of woodworking requires different techniques, such as woodturning, furniture making, or bookbinding. The most basic woodworking tools are a wood lathe, a wood tool rack or a wooden cutting board, a table saw, a screw gun, a table saw with carbide tips, a jig saw, a circular saw, a planer, and a hand drill. Some woodworkers use modern equipment, such as routers, saws, drills, sanding tools, sprayers, and air compressors.
Woodworking can be divided into different branches such as cabinetmaking, furniture making, flooring, making things from wood dust, making things from recycled wood, making things from chipboard, and carpentry. The two most important things that woodworkers must know how to do are cutting and sanding. Other than that basic knowledge, there is little to no experience required. Many woodworking students learn by watching others do projects and then copying the techniques they do.
Some woodworkers learn to make a simple dresser by using basic woodturning tools. Others will focus more on the fine aspects of woodturning, such as hand turned rugs and wall art. Carpentry is another branch of woodworking, often practiced by women who make baby strollers out of wood. Woodturning is very difficult, but not without rewards. The skills involved in woodworking, such as carvings, jewelry, and scroll saws, are highly sought after by collectors around the world.
Many woodworkers turn out intricate pieces of furniture or decorative items out of their woodworking hobby. They enjoy the satisfaction of creating something beautiful out of something they have taken time to create. Most woodworkers own some power tools, such as a table saw, but some also use hand power tools like a jigsaw. A jigsaw is much more versatile than a table saw. Woodturners also use power tools for making bowls, mugs, dishes, picture frames, and candles, among other things.
Some woodworkers turn out everything from simple boxes to complex furniture. Boxes and furniture are very personal, since the person who crafts them is usually unique. Some hobbyists are only able to make a certain type of cut. Power tools, while a bit more expensive, allow hobbyists to make cuts anywhere. These cuts are, of course, much less common than cutting done with a table saw.