HackSpace_-_April_2020

LENS

In furniture making, saw cuts and joints need to be at
right angles to each other (square). The metal square
performs this function when laying out work, making
saw cuts or preparing parts at a 90-degree angle to
each other. If all parts of your project are made square,
the final piece is certain to come out square with sides
at 90 degrees to each other. Ideally, two metal squares
are necessary in your woodworking.

• Combination square for small work


• 8 × 12 inches (200 × 300 mm) carpenter’s square
  for wide boards and furniture-making

The combination square determines if your work is
square or not. A combination square has a sliding head
with 90-degree and 45-degree angled sides for mitres.
The head is removable, leaving the blade free to use as
a ruler or straight edge.

Right
Metal ruler
laying out marks
on a board RightA collection of common
hand planes in different
sizes and functionality

Right

Combination square

laying out the face of

a board. The rule can

be separated from the

head. Note the available

45-degree angle. The

combination square is a

versatile measuring and

marking tool

A ruler is a must in a workshop. Rulers measure board
dimensions, mark where cuts are made, and ensure
furniture parts are similar in dimensions. The
expression ‘measure twice and cut once’ applies. A
spring-wound tape rule is the tool for measuring and
marking long lengths of wood.

Hand planes address multiple woodworking tasks.

Wood must be smoothed, squared, and fitted, and

different hand planes perform these tasks.

Specialised joinery hand planes also create grooves

and rabbets in wood.

Hand planes consist of a blade set at a defined

angle in a metal or wood body. The blade protrudes

beneath the sole to create a slicing action. A knob

raises or lowers the blade to adjust the depth of cut.

Hand planes cut on the forward motion (pushed) and

are pulled back for the next stroke. They are used

with one hand on the front knob, while the other grips

the rear handle or tote. Several versions of hand

planes tackle different tasks. You should begin with

three planes: the jack plane, smoother, and low-angle

block plane form a good basic set. As you progress,

determine which hand planes you need next.

RulersRulers Hand planesHand planes

SquareSquare