Hand Tools
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Contents
Safety Equipment
- Eye Protection - Safety glasses. Going blind due to an accident will make all of your work useless, right? Put 'em on!
- Hearing Protection - Ear plugs or ear muffs. Many power tools produce EXTREMELY loud noise, and temporary deafness (and possibly permanent too) can and does occur. Put 'em in or on, but USE 'EM!
- Breathing/Lung Protection - Many of the materials produce dust. You may not even be able to see some of these dusts. MDF, in particular, produces toxic dust. Any and all things you breath in will cause short-term effects. The long-term effects are even worse. Get a face mask, and put it on. Your lungs will thank you for it.
Marking Tools
You will want something to mark your measurements and cut lines with. A pen, pencil, marker, etc. Anything can be used, but try to use something with a thin/skinny point to ensure consistency with your markings, or you may end up just a fraction off!
Measuring Devices
Sandpaper/Sanding Blocks
Clamps
- Spring Clamps
- Screw Clamps
- Bar Clamps
- Pipe Clamps
Sawhorses/Stands
Wire Strippers/Crimpers
Hammer/Screwdriver
Fasteners
- Glue
- Wood glue - essentially the same as Elmer's white glue but with coloring and additives to make it set up faster than white glue
- White glue - the regular stuff commonly found at your local "-mart" store.
- Polyurethane glue - unlike yellow or white glue that requires air to cure, polyurethane glue requires moisture to cure. Polyurethane is excellent at joining dissimilar materials such as wood and plastic. When curing, it "foams", so clamps are a must with this type of glue.
- When working with MDF, remember this trick to get better results. You'll find the edges rougher and more porous than the face. Gluing as you normally would can "starve" the joint of glue. To avoid this, "double glue" the joint. The first layer soaks in and helps seal the surface, while the second application works to create a solid bond.
- When working with MDF, remember this trick to get better results. You'll find the edges rougher and more porous than the face. Gluing as you normally would can "starve" the joint of glue. To avoid this, "double glue" the joint. The first layer soaks in and helps seal the surface, while the second application works to create a solid bond.
- Nails
- Screws
- Screws will require special methods when used with MDF. Screws installed into the edges of MDF can cause it to split, resulting in a weak or failed joint. You'll need to drill a pilot hole for your screws. Use a drill bit the same diameter as the shank of your screw, and drill your hole slightly deeper than the length of your screw. Secondly, use sraight-shanked screws to avoid splitting the material and also to get a better grip in the material. Special screws, called Confirmat screws, are available but somewhat costly.
- Dowels
- Biscuits
