Woodworking is simply the crafting of various woods into cabinetry, furniture, and art. It’s generally considered separate from carpentry, or the use of wood in making buildings. Both traditions go back hundreds, even thousands of years. Contemporary woodworking usually makes extensive use of electric power tools plus an array of hand tools. Traditional craftsmen stick to hand tools, or perhaps simple human-powered machines.

Wood working is also a great hobby. Most people are surprised at the huge variety of possible projects, as revealed by various articles and plans. Hobbyists usually focus on hand tools and a few multi-purpose power tools such as Rockwell’s Blade Runner. Many people begin with soft woods, such as pine, because they’re easier to cut and sand and are also less expensive. However, most really nice pieces are made from hardwoods, such as oak and cherry, which really aren’t that much harder to work (especially if you have a few power tools).