Furniture Design - TOOLS

Tools

Define the character of furniture: rough handmade vs. precision modular.

Material

Influenced by the choice of tool (solid wood, veneer, MDF, particleboard, laminates).

Joinery

Influenced by the choice of tool (traditional wood-to-wood vs. knock-down fittings).

Finishing

Influenced by the choice of tool (smooth, polished vs. rustic, textured).

Philippine Context

Local workshops often rely heavily on hand tools and basic machines.

Global Context

Scandinavian (IKEA) and Japanese (MUJI) manufacturers depend on precision tools and modular systems.

Folding Ruler

Used for general measurement work; wooden.

Steel Tape Measure

Used for general measurement work.

Set Square

For establishing right angles during construction.

Long Tape

Used for relatively long measurements.

Plumb Bob

To establish a vertical line.

Level Bar

For establishing horizontal and vertical levels.

Marking Gauge

To mark lines parallel to edges.

Chalk Line

Used to draw long straight lines without a pencil or pen.

Caliper

Measures thickness and diameter.

Ripsaw Blade

Saw for cutting along the wood grain.

Hand Saw

Used to cut wood.

Hack Saw

Used to cut metal.

Crosscut Blade

Saw for cutting perpendicular to the wood grain.

Cold Chisel

Chisel used for metalwork.

Wood Chisel

Used to gouge wood.

Japanese Pull Saw

Finer cuts, popular in modern workshops.

Utility Knife

Used for cutting laminates, veneers.

Hand Plane

Smooths surfaces and reduces thickness.

Scrapers

For final finishing before sanding.

Spokeshave

Shapes chair legs and rounded profiles.

Screwdrivers

Insert screws for permanent or knock-down joints.

Mallets

Prevent damage to wood surfaces.

Wrenches

Tighten nuts, bolts, or furniture knock-down fasteners.

Clamps

Hold glued joints securely while adhesive cures.

Claw Hammer

For general woodworks and nail driving.

Prybar

Used for prying open boards, demolition work and general removal of construction assemblies.

Spiral Ratchet Screwdriver

Screwdriver that turns when pushed.

Ball Pin Hammer

Hammer used for metalwork/sheet metalwork.

Blind Riveter

Fastens metal sheets or light metal section together.

Nail Set

Pushes in the nail head to the lumber surface.

Electric Drill

Drills holes and drives screws.

Jigsaw

Flexible saw for curves and custom shapes.

Circular Saw

Quick, accurate straight cuts on boards.

Router

Creates grooves, decorative edges, and patterns.

Orbital Sander

Smooths surfaces faster than hand sanding.

Table Saw

The 'heart' of workshops; for ripping and crosscutting boards with accuracy.

Band Saw

Cuts irregular shapes and thick materials.

Planer/Thicknesser

Ensures uniform thickness across boards.

Lathe

Spins wood for turning legs, spindles, or decorative details.

Drill Press

Provides accurate, repeatable drilling at fixed depths.

CNC Router

Computer-guided cutters for modular panels; essential in flat-pack manufacturing.

Laser Cutters

For engraving or intricate surface patterns.

Edge Banding Machines

Apply ABS/PVC edging to MDF/particleboard panels.

3D Printing

Experimental furniture components, prototypes.

Robotics in Assembly

Automated pick-and-place systems in factories.

Sustainable Tooling

Dust extraction systems, low-noise tools for worker safety.

Hybrid Tools

Combining manual craftsmanship with CNC precutting.