by Franz Fleckenstein

Created on: July 03, 2007

Woodworking has evolved from crafting masterpieces with simple tools and ones own hands to creating a piece that is precise by means of technology. Here is a list of common power tools and their functions to help get you started on woodworking with power tools.

SAWS

1. Chop/Miter saw ~ Great for fast, clean and simple cross-cuts both perpendicular to the material or at an angle.

2. Table saw ~ Best for dead on measurements (with use of a fence) or for ripping materials.

3. Sawzall ~ A crude cutting tool that will get you through any material when coupled with the correct blade. This tool is rather large and packs a punch, great for cuts that can be done fast and rather sloppy. Some sanding will be needed to smooth things out when you are done with this one.

4. Jig saw ~ This is basically a tiny sawzall with a flat plate at the bottom to act as a guide or stopper. The blade movement is up and down, whereas a sawzall is forward and backwards (with respect to the tools shape and gripping style).

5. Scroll saw ~ Great for intricate crafting-type cuts. This is limited to relatively thin woods since the blades are small and the blade travel is rather short.

6. Band saw ~ A band saw is a combination of a table saw and scroll saw. Like a table saw, you have constant movement from the blade and like a scroll saw you have a smaller semi-flexible blade. This saw is great for making curved cuts the don't require sharp turns.

7. Skill saw ~ This is basically a hand-held table saw. It has the same blade type as a table saw or chop saw and has a foot plate just like a jig saw.

SANDING

1. Oscillating spindle sander ~ This particular sander is used to smooth and round curves. The sanding spindle, which is shaped like a cylinder, rotates while oscillating up and down for a uniform sand.

2. Disc sander ~ Shaped like (of course) a disc, this sander is generally a tool that takes a quick bite out of your wood and is great for sanding the end of your material so that it is flush. Remember to only sand on the side of the disc that is traveling downward, the other side will kick your material up and into your face.

3. Belt sander ~ Available in both a hand-held and table form, this tool has a long stretch of sanding paper that rotates around wheels or guides. Hand-held belt sanders are great for sanding large flat surfaces. Table sanders are best for board ends, sides and rounding corners.

4. Palm sander ~ For lack of a better term, this tool vibrates and spins to a minor extent to sand objects

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