Useful Hand Tools for Constructing a Pirate Ship Playhouse Part 3
PLIERS
Depending on the type used, pliers can perform numerous jobs involving bending and gripping. Use pliers to prevent round stock from rolling when drilling.
Slip-Joint Pliers
These are standard pliers for removing or positioning small bits of wood or metal. They are a must for every craftsman's toolbox.
Snipe-Nosed Pliers
Slip-Joint Pliers
These are standard pliers for removing or positioning small bits of wood or metal. They are a must for every craftsman's toolbox.
Snipe-Nosed Pliers
These are used to grip small objects in hard-to-reach places. During the construction process of your child’s pirate ship playhouse, you will come across a number of hard-to-reach areas so having a pair of snipe-nosed pliers on hand can be really handy.
BRACES AND DRILLS
Braces and drills perform essentially the same function; that is, to bore holes in wood and to work in restricted space.
Brace
A brace is to be used in conjunction with an assortment of drill bits for boring holes in wood. The brace applies a turning force to the bit by rotation of the frame in a clockwise direction. It is a thoroughly handy tool dating back to early fifteenth-century Europe. Pressure is applied by means of the hand or by placing the swivel head on the front part of the body while either hand rotates the frame handle.
Hand Drill
The hand drill is used to drill holes in wood and metal. It is composed of a shaft to which gears are attached, providing a range of convenient speeds for different materials and types of work. The hand cranks one gear which sets the bit in motion for drilling. It is an advantageous tool for fine and exact drilling and is more desirable than the power drill in this respect. I used both hand drill and power drill during the course of building my kid’s pirate ship playhouse.
Gimlet
The gimlet is used to bore shallow holes in lumber. Its size is 1/8 to 3/8 inch in diameter.
Bits
These are used in conjunction with the brace, hand drill, or power drill for boring holes. Consider obtaining two types—twist drill and dowel drill bits. Both drill holes. The twist drill has a pointed tip and is used for general drilling. The dowel bit has a spurred tip, which is useful for boring holes in side and end grains of wood and is designed to follow a straight line while drilling, as opposed to following the grain and wandering off center.
SCREWDRIVERS
Many hardware stores sell screwdrivers in kits, or they may be purchased individually. Either way, be sure your workshop is outfitted with the following: flared tip, Phillips head, Reed, and Prince. Flared tips should be of several sizes to accommodate various sizes of slotted- head screws. In addition, a ratchet screwdriver is handy for driving screws without altering the grip.
SANDERS AND ABRASIVES
Sandpaper and sanding blocks are essential to finishing wood properly. There are three categories of abrasives— coarse, medium, and fine, with further subdivisions in each category. True sandpaper, although not a misnomer, is no longer available; glass particles or flint are used in place of true sand.
Flint or Glasspaper
This is the cheapest sandpaper available, but it wears quickly and is to be used only for rough finishing.
Garnet
This is a natural red material used to finish all types of wood, including hardwood. It is harder than flint and is also available in finer grades. Garnet must be used dry, unlike some which may be used with oil or water.
Emery
Emery is a very fine paper useful for extra-fine sanding. It clogs easily, but is advantageous for achieving a glass-like finish on many hardwoods. Paper- or cloth-backed types are available.
Sanding Block
A sanding block is used to finish flat surfaces. Sandpaper used without the aid of the block tends to follow any uneven surface of the wood or surface undulations. The sanding block, which is fitted with a core and sandpaper, is available commercially or one may be improvised. Simply select a block of scrap wood that will fit inside your hand and wrap the sandpaper around it. Rotate the sandpaper on the block as wearing or clogging takes place.
FILES
Files (and rasps too) are used to finish metal and wood, to remove burrs and irregularities, to enlarge holes and slots, and for a number of other jobs. They are classified by their cut, which is a direct result of how the teeth are formed and arranged on the face of the metal blade. The following comprise the most commonly preferred files in the work-shop.
Flat File
The flat file is used to file flat surfaces on wood or metal. It is not to be used for filing inside curves. Single-cut (for fine work) and double-cut (for roughing) files are available. The double-cut bastard file is the coarsest of all.
Round File
The round file is used to file round holes or for curved surfaces. In some models the blade tapers toward the forward tip of the metal shank and this is useful for reaching into small places or for finishing concave surfaces. Round files are sometimes called "rat-tail files.”
Half-Round File
The half-round file is for all-purpose filing. It combines the best features of the flat and round files. Use it for work on large circular areas.
Square File
To be used to file square holes or angles, the square file can also be used to file rectangular slots, keyways, and splines.
Needle Files
Used for precision filing work, needle files are small, delicate files. They are usually sold in sets containing rounds, flats, half-rounds, and triangular shapes. A useful assortment is well worth the nominal cost for a good set.
RASPS
Rasps, unlike files, have teeth designed primarily to remove very fine to medium slices or parings of wood. The bastard rasp gives a coarse cut while the smooth rasp is used for finer work. The usual shapes are flat, round, and half-round.
Surform Flat File
This tool was introduced several decades ago. It is lightweight and is an excellent tool for general filing. It performs the same job as the standard flat rasp. The blade is made of hardened steel and can be easily replaced.
Cabinet Rasp
Also known as a "wood rasp," this tool is designed with burr-like teeth for quick wood leveling or removal and is used in the preliminary steps prior to filing or finishing with sandpaper. It is available in flats, round, or half- rounds.
Rifflers
The riffler is used to file woodcarving. Rifflers are indeed craftsman's tools used for the finer detail work of convoluted and irregularly shaped projects. Some rifflers are double ended and bent, enabling them to be used in difficult-to-reach pockets and other areas of the project. If you’re planning on building a pirate ship playhouse with loads of detail work, then it makes good sense to buy a riffler.
Cabinet Rasp
Also known as a "wood rasp," this tool is designed with burr-like teeth for quick wood leveling or removal and is used in the preliminary steps prior to filing or finishing with sandpaper. It is available in flats, round, or half- rounds.
Rifflers
The riffler is used to file woodcarving. Rifflers are indeed craftsman's tools used for the finer detail work of convoluted and irregularly shaped projects. Some rifflers are double ended and bent, enabling them to be used in difficult-to-reach pockets and other areas of the project. If you’re planning on building a pirate ship playhouse with loads of detail work, then it makes good sense to buy a riffler.