Useful Hand Tools for Constructing a Pirate Ship Playhouse Part 2
HANDSAWS
If a saw is to be useful for cutting wood, the blade must be made of flexible, tempered steel. The teeth are alternately bent to the left or right to make a kerf slightly wider than the blade thickness. This prevents binding. To further prevent binding the blade is made slightly thicker at the back. Several kinds of saws are used by DIY aficionados, children’s playhouse builders and woodworkers; the choice will depend on the job at hand.
Ripsaw
The ripsaw with its chisel-like teeth is designed specifically for cutting lumber along its length; that is, with the grain. It has 5, 5 ½ , or 6 large teeth per inch. These have a ripping or chisel-like action and do almost all the cutting on the forward stroke. A 26-inch blade length is standard.
Crosscut Saw
This is to be used when cutting across the grain of the wood and for all cutting of plywood. It has small, sharp teeth with knife-like points. Twelve-point saws are called "panel saws" and are to be used for very fine work. Blades range from 20 to 28 inches in length. I used the cross cut saw many times during the process of building my child’s pirate ship playhouse.
Backsaw
Crosscut Saw
This is to be used when cutting across the grain of the wood and for all cutting of plywood. It has small, sharp teeth with knife-like points. Twelve-point saws are called "panel saws" and are to be used for very fine work. Blades range from 20 to 28 inches in length. I used the cross cut saw many times during the process of building my child’s pirate ship playhouse.
Backsaw
This is sometimes called a "tenon saw.” This tool has a straight blade, parallel top and bottom, and a heavy strip of metal wrapped along the back to provide rigidity. It is used to cut joints and small pieces of wood and for fine detailing. This gives credence to the term "dovetail saw” which is widespread in Europe.
Coping Saw
Coping Saw
This saw is used to make curved cuts in wood or plastic and for cutting irregular shapes in thin wood or plywood. The blade of the saw is very narrow, has extremely fine teeth, and can be reversed for cutting in either direction. Being removable, the blade is useful for making cuts that must begin with a drilled hole.
Hacksaw
Hacksaws are used to cut most metals. They have a pistol- grip handle with a removable blade. The blade is held under tension by the natural spring of the frame.
Compass Saw
This is used to cut holes in a panel. This saw has no frame, so it can be used in places where a coping saw would be limited by the edge of the board or panel. The blades are 10 to 14 inches long and are available with teeth of several sizes for cross-cutting or ripping.
Hole Saw
This saw is used to cut large holes in wood. The hole saw has a drill bit centered on a cylindrical saw blade. Each set comes in a range of graduated sizes for various diameter holes. When using the hole saw, the center drill shaft is placed in the chuck of a portable electric drill or drill press. Adjust the tool for a slower speed and firmly bore the blade through the stock.
Hacksaw
Hacksaws are used to cut most metals. They have a pistol- grip handle with a removable blade. The blade is held under tension by the natural spring of the frame.
Compass Saw
This is used to cut holes in a panel. This saw has no frame, so it can be used in places where a coping saw would be limited by the edge of the board or panel. The blades are 10 to 14 inches long and are available with teeth of several sizes for cross-cutting or ripping.
Hole Saw
This saw is used to cut large holes in wood. The hole saw has a drill bit centered on a cylindrical saw blade. Each set comes in a range of graduated sizes for various diameter holes. When using the hole saw, the center drill shaft is placed in the chuck of a portable electric drill or drill press. Adjust the tool for a slower speed and firmly bore the blade through the stock.
CHISELS AND GOUGES
Chisels to be used by playhouse builders and woodworkers are fitted with smoothly curved bulbous handles designed for a comfortable grip. The handles are usually made of hardwood or impact-resistant plastic. There is an assortment of sizes and tip configurations and each has specific functions in the carving of wood.
Firmer Chisel
This is a general-purpose wood-cutting tool with a blade approximately 4 inches long and rectangular in shape. A wooden- or leather-faced mallet is used to drive the wooden handled chisel; a hammer may be used on the plastic ones.
Butt Chisel
This is used for light woodworking. Light tapping with a hammer is possible. The blade is beveled on the top face of two long sides. It is excellent for creating undercuts in wood.
All-Steel Wood Chisel
This chisel is suitable for heavy woodwork and general carpentry. It is composed of a short, beveled edge blade and a hexagonal handle. It is a very sturdy tool that will withstand a good deal of abuse. I strongly urge that you get this chisel if you’re serious about building a pirate ship playhouse for your child—it’s going to come in handy.
Firmer Gouge
Used to cut hollow or curved shoulders in wood, this tool is similar in construction to the firmer chisel, but differs in the shape of the blade, which is curved rather than straight. Two types are available—the out-cannel, which is used for deep hollow cutting, and the in-cannel, used for general cutting.
Scribing Gouge
Also called a "paring gouge,” this tool is designed to be used with a mallet. Similar to the firmer gouge, this gouge has a longer handle, and, like the firmer gouge, it comes in a variety of blade sizes for various sized channels.
Mortise Chisel
The mortise chisel is used for light woodworking and to cut mortises in wood. It is usually made from thick steel with ends designed to be struck with a mallet. It is an excellent tool with which to work hardwoods.
Wood-turning Chisel and Gouge
Both of these tools are specifically designed to be used with wood fastened to a wood lathe. Both are extra long with handles made of hardwood. To minimize chatter and other vibrations a firm grip is essential to proper and safe use of the wood-turning tool, as the stock quickly rotates on the lathe. These tools are to be held in both hands with the blade resting on the lathe tool rest. One hand grips the uppermost portion of the blade, while the other hand grips the handle and steadies the tool when the lathe is in motion. Wood-turning chisels are sold under the following names—"diamond point” for V-grooving, "skew chisel" for beading, "round nose” for coving, "parting tool" for cutting to length.
Carving Gouge and Chisel
All carving chisels are ground on the outer face and are used for preliminary shaping with the mallet and, occasionally, by hand for more delicate cutting. Types available are the straight gouge, curved gouge, spoon-bit gouge, and the veiner gouge used for fine detail carving. Carving chisels are used to shape and finish work begun by carving gouges. Straight, curved, and spoon-bit chisels are the more common types.
Firmer Chisel
This is a general-purpose wood-cutting tool with a blade approximately 4 inches long and rectangular in shape. A wooden- or leather-faced mallet is used to drive the wooden handled chisel; a hammer may be used on the plastic ones.
Butt Chisel
This is used for light woodworking. Light tapping with a hammer is possible. The blade is beveled on the top face of two long sides. It is excellent for creating undercuts in wood.
All-Steel Wood Chisel
This chisel is suitable for heavy woodwork and general carpentry. It is composed of a short, beveled edge blade and a hexagonal handle. It is a very sturdy tool that will withstand a good deal of abuse. I strongly urge that you get this chisel if you’re serious about building a pirate ship playhouse for your child—it’s going to come in handy.
Firmer Gouge
Used to cut hollow or curved shoulders in wood, this tool is similar in construction to the firmer chisel, but differs in the shape of the blade, which is curved rather than straight. Two types are available—the out-cannel, which is used for deep hollow cutting, and the in-cannel, used for general cutting.
Scribing Gouge
Also called a "paring gouge,” this tool is designed to be used with a mallet. Similar to the firmer gouge, this gouge has a longer handle, and, like the firmer gouge, it comes in a variety of blade sizes for various sized channels.
Mortise Chisel
The mortise chisel is used for light woodworking and to cut mortises in wood. It is usually made from thick steel with ends designed to be struck with a mallet. It is an excellent tool with which to work hardwoods.
Wood-turning Chisel and Gouge
Both of these tools are specifically designed to be used with wood fastened to a wood lathe. Both are extra long with handles made of hardwood. To minimize chatter and other vibrations a firm grip is essential to proper and safe use of the wood-turning tool, as the stock quickly rotates on the lathe. These tools are to be held in both hands with the blade resting on the lathe tool rest. One hand grips the uppermost portion of the blade, while the other hand grips the handle and steadies the tool when the lathe is in motion. Wood-turning chisels are sold under the following names—"diamond point” for V-grooving, "skew chisel" for beading, "round nose” for coving, "parting tool" for cutting to length.
Carving Gouge and Chisel
All carving chisels are ground on the outer face and are used for preliminary shaping with the mallet and, occasionally, by hand for more delicate cutting. Types available are the straight gouge, curved gouge, spoon-bit gouge, and the veiner gouge used for fine detail carving. Carving chisels are used to shape and finish work begun by carving gouges. Straight, curved, and spoon-bit chisels are the more common types.
PLANES
Planes are used to dimension and smooth lumber.
Jack Plane
The jack plane is used to dimension lumber by removing fine parings of wood by means of an adjustable blade used in conjunction with manual pressure. This is the most popular tool for general wood planing and should be durable in construction to withstand years of use.
Smoothing Plane
This is used for exact work on fairly short pieces of wood—perfect for working on the interiors details of a pirate ship playhouse. The smoothing plane is made in 8- and 9-inch lengths. The cutting iron is mounted in the same way as the jack plane.
Jointer Plane
This tool is used to square long edges of lumber for jointing wood and is a very long tool in comparison with the jack and smoothing planes. It should be mentioned that all good planes are fully adjustable and made of strong steel and hardwood handles. The cutting iron or blade must be kept sharp at all times to maximize cutting effectiveness. Store the plane on its side and lightly grease bright metal parts to prevent rusting.
Block Plane
Smoothing Plane
This is used for exact work on fairly short pieces of wood—perfect for working on the interiors details of a pirate ship playhouse. The smoothing plane is made in 8- and 9-inch lengths. The cutting iron is mounted in the same way as the jack plane.
Jointer Plane
This tool is used to square long edges of lumber for jointing wood and is a very long tool in comparison with the jack and smoothing planes. It should be mentioned that all good planes are fully adjustable and made of strong steel and hardwood handles. The cutting iron or blade must be kept sharp at all times to maximize cutting effectiveness. Store the plane on its side and lightly grease bright metal parts to prevent rusting.
Block Plane
The block plane is used in one hand to smooth end grain and for other small jobs. It is 6 to 7 inches long.
Rasp Plane
The rasp plane is to be used to shape wood, plastic, and soft metals. Sometimes it is called a "Surform plane." The waste wood does not clog the teeth, but is easily cleared through holes in the cutting blade while the cutting process is underway. Lightweight and easy-to-replace blades make this a handy tool for constructing playhouses as well as many woodworking jobs.
Plow Plane
This is used to cut grooves and rabbets while being guided by fences and depth gauges.
Spokeshave
Rasp Plane
The rasp plane is to be used to shape wood, plastic, and soft metals. Sometimes it is called a "Surform plane." The waste wood does not clog the teeth, but is easily cleared through holes in the cutting blade while the cutting process is underway. Lightweight and easy-to-replace blades make this a handy tool for constructing playhouses as well as many woodworking jobs.
Plow Plane
This is used to cut grooves and rabbets while being guided by fences and depth gauges.
Spokeshave
This is used to smooth curved wood. The tool is worked away from the body with a pushing motion. The reverse direction may be used.
HAMMERS AND MALLETS
Hammers and mallets are of primary importance and are the most commonly used tools of playhouse construction. Although there are numerous types of hammers, each designed for a specific purpose, it is recommended that you obtain the three following types, and, if the opportunity presents itself, try other hammers, some of which are pictured below.
Claw Hammer
The claw hammer is used for nailing, withdrawing nails, and general carpentry.
Carver’s Mallet
Carver’s Mallet
A carver's mallet is heavy in order to allow the craftsman to drive the chisel or gouge with short, controlled strokes, rather than driving blows. It is, in spite of its weight, relatively easy to hold and balance in the hand. The head is composed of beech or lignum vitae, two woods able to withstand a great deal of use.
Soft-Faced Mallet
The soft-faced mallet is used to drive or shape material that would be damaged by standard hammers and mallets. It is composed of rubber or leather with a handle of hardwood.
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