Tools & Equipment

A mattock is often called a Polaski in the United States because Edward Polaski, a forest ranger at the turn of the 20th century, created the tool. While the name mattock may not ring any bells, you have probably seen this tool either in use or in shows or movies where the characters are digging … Read more

An adze is a tool similar to an axe, basically a metal blade that is attached to a handle. It has the appearance of a pickaxe, with one notable exception which is the horizontal blade is normally curved instead of straight. Plus, the blade itself may be straight or curved into a U-shape for carving … Read more

On the surface, hammers and mallets appear to be quite similar. After all, both tools are used to strike blows or create impacts. However, there are some important differences as well. The most obvious is that a hammer’s head is made from metal, often steel, for durability. While a mallet normally has a wooden or … Read more

It can be easy to mistake a file for a rasp if you are not that familiar with either tool. Despite their similarities, there are definite differences between the two. Each one will perform a specific task that may seem similar to the other at first, but there are differences. The key difference between both … Read more

There are three basic types of miter saws, standard, sliding, and compound. While the standard version lets you make angled or mitered cuts into the material, the compound miter saw also lets you create bevels. The sliding miter saw allows the blade to slide out and will enable you to cut wider boards. Depending on … Read more

Ladders, both for household and commercial usage, are manufactured from a number of different materials. But the most common ones include three, i.e., wood, aluminum, and fiberglass. Unlike traditional ladders that are usually made from timber, fiberglass material is lightweight and safer. Plus, they also last longer than wooden ladders. The only downside is fiberglass … Read more

As you might guess, a wood drill bit is designed to create holes in wood. The bits are made not to damage the wood when making the holes. Masonry bits may be designed for brick and stone, but they can also be used for drilling rough holes into timber if needed. It will, however, take … Read more

The introduction of machines or devices to complement hand tools has dramatically improved the speed and efficiency of woodworking. The radial arm saw was a popular selection for carpentry workers thanks to its power, versatility, and speed. A radial arm saw can be used to quickly cut and shape wooden pieces for woodworking. But what … Read more

When you hear of a wooden float, you might think of a parade where vehicles support stages and elaborate decorations. But there is another type of float that makes for an excellent tool when smoothing out a plaster. Crafted from wood, plastic, and rubber, although some floats will substitute metal for wood, the float is … Read more

There are many things to learn when you start woodworking. One of them is learning how to cut a square hole into a piece of wood. It’s an essential part of woodworking as it helps you make proper joints. Not only for joints but there are various other instances where you may need to cut … Read more