From table saws and miter saws to routers and drills, and every tool in between. We’ll shed light on the functionality of each tool, explaining why they are essential in the cabinet making process.
By the end, you’ll not only recognize these tools but understand the unique tasks they perform that help bring your cabinet designs to life.
1. Table Saw
A table saw is all about cutting things down to size quickly and accurately. With this, you can get your wood down to the size you want before you know it.
You can also use it to cut rabbets and dados, or you can get yourself a dado stack. This is the one tool that you can’t do without. If you have a table saw, you’ll be able to make anything.
2. Miter Saw
A miter saw is the best way to cut perfect miter joints, and it’s especially useful if you’re working with longer boards.
It’s a bit too much effort to cut a long board into a perfect angle with a table saw and miter gauge, but with a miter saw, it’s as simple as pushing the board through.
This is the best tool for the job when it comes to miter joints. It’s called a miter saw for a reason.
3. Circular Saw
A circular saw is the best tool for cutting large sheets of wood down to size. It’s also the best way to cut down the width of a long board.
If you’re making a cabinet, then you’ll be using this tool to cut down plywood sheets to the right size, and to cut down long boards to the right width.
It’s also good for cutting solid wood down to size, but it’s a bit of a pain to use for this purpose if you have a table saw.
4. Jigsaw
A jigsaw is the best way to cut curves. It’s also the best way to make a small cut in the middle of a sheet of wood.
A jigsaw is also good for cutting out the shape of a cabinet door.
5. Band Saw
A band saw is the best way to resaw large pieces of timber. Resawing is when you cut a thick piece of timber into two thinner pieces.
If you’re making something with solid wood, then a band saw is invaluable. It saves you so much money because you can get two for the price of one.
If you’re planning on making anything with solid wood, then this tool is going to pay for itself in saved timber.
6. Router
A router is the best way to shape the edges of wood. It’s also good for cutting dadoes and mortises.
If you’re making a cabinet, then you’ll be using the router on the edges of your cabinet doors, and routing out the edges of the cabinet itself.
There are so many different kinds of router bits that you can use to shape wood in all sorts of different ways, so this is definitely a tool worth having.
7. Drill
A power drill is the best way to drill holes. It’s also the best way to drive screws.
You won’t be able to get much done without a drill, and you’ll be surprised at just how much you’ll use it.
For example, you’ll be using it to drill holes for your cabinet handles, and to drill pilot holes for screws.
8. Sander
A sander is the best way to smooth out wood. It’s also the best way to remove paint.
You’ll be doing a lot of sanding when you make a cabinet, so this tool is definitely worth having.
You’ll be using it to smooth out the edges of your cabinet doors, and to smooth out the edges of your cabinet itself.
9. Planer
A planer is the best way to remove the roughness from the surface of timber. It’s also the best way to get two sides of a piece of wood parallel.
You’ll be using this tool if you’re making a cabinet with solid wood doors. There’s no point making a cabinet out of solid wood if you don’t have a planer, because you’ll only be able to use pre-planed timber, which is so much more expensive.
10. Jointer
A jointer is the best way to get a straight edge on a piece of timber. It’s also the best way to get two adjacent sides of a piece of wood to be perpendicular to one another.
You’ll be using this tool if you’re making a cabinet with solid wood doors. There’s no point making a cabinet out of solid wood if you don’t have a jointer, because you’ll only be able to use pre-jointed timber, which is so much more expensive.
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