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Carpentry dates back further than you, your father, or your grandfather. With its earliest acknowledgements in biblical times, the tools that go along with the trade are quite basic and have clearly evolved since then. Still, each modern tool is inspired by those used in the past.

The following are the most essential tools for your toolbox if you wish to enter an apprenticeship in carpentry:

Hammers come in many different sizes, ranging from very small versions to perform meticulous tasks to large like a sledgehammer to carry out tasks that need a little more strength behind them. A hammer is any tool that is a piece of metal attached to a wooden stick or cylinder to be used as a handle. Whereas today, the hammer is most commonly used for nailing objects together, originally, hammers were used to connect wood with pegs in precisely drilled holes. Your hammer is your best friend as a carpenter and a vital piece in your toolbox.

Saws vary in size and shape, depending on the task at hand. The most important part of the saw is the blade which also comes in different varieties. The size and design of the teeth (the blade) of the saw depend on the job it is to perform. Some are made to cut along the grain of the wood like rips saws, whereas crosscut saws cut across the grain. Having a good handsaw is important in your tool box. While in the carpentry field you will mainly use wood cutting saws, from time to time, you may need to utilise a metal saw. This saw has large teeth in order to cut through solid metal.

Braces and Boring Tools are used to hold pieces of wood in place to ease the drilling process. They allow a carpenter to drill the holes needed to insert screws or pegs to hold the pieces of wood together permanently. Planes are used to smooth surfaces like floors where there could be rough patches or wood splinters.

You will need to utilise the above tools to create Mortise and Tenon joints, a key part of carpentry. This method is used to join framing for doors, furniture, and construction. You drill a mortise hole in one end and connect it with a tenon that is designed to fit within the mortise on the other piece of the wood. Only a few pegs are then required to keep the bond between the pieces strong. The Dovetail is the most quality way to join two pieces of wood. Wood is joined at right angles end to end. This technique is most commonly used in cabinetry, especially in drawers.

With these few specialised items in your toolkit, you are sure to be prepared for your upcoming carpentry apprenticeship. Your tools are an important part towards your success and you should invest in quality equipment early on to be successful. Just wait, you will be joining wood and building in no time!

Image by Andrea B Italia