Recommended Tools
Please note, that many companies give discounts to students. Make sure to ask!
Instrument Ordering Information (coming soon).
Intro to Woodworking
Items 1 through 7 required
1. Sketch Book
2. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE's) - you HAVE to have the glasses, but should have 2 & 3
- Safety Glasses - get a pair you like
- Hearing Protection - lots to choose from, but remember that if they are uncomfortable or inconvenient, you will be less likely to use them.
- Dust protection.
3. Square (get a good one)
- Machinist
- Adjustable or Combination
You can get through "okay" with just the stuff above. You will spend about $40. Protect your health.
4. Mechanical Pencil (lead holder)
- Uses 2mm pencil lead. (the .9mm stuff is really good)
- Get 2H lead as anything softer is too soft for woodworking
5. Marking Knife
- Buy one online or from a hardware store
- Regular old x-acto knife (#1)
- We can teach you to make your own
6. Chisels (Bench Chisels)
- Set of 4 - 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, & 3/
- 1/8 Chisel comes in real handy
To really learn what you should in the class (bare minimum) you should get the stuff up to this line. You will spend closer to $100-$120.
7. Marking Gauge
8. Dovetail Saw
The more of your own tools you invest in, the greater your opportunities to improve and master woodworking. Don't go buy it all on the first day - learn what you like - learn what kind of woodworker you are. (you've spent about $220 - $250 right now).
9. Block Plane
10. Measuring Devices
- Not as essential as most people think, but they sure can come in handy
- 6" foot folding ruler
- 6" Metal ruler
- 12' Tape Measure
11. Bench Plane
- #4 or #4½
- Get one with a replacement plane blade source
12. Bevel Gauge
13. Electric Router
14. Shoulder Plane
15. Dovetail Square/Gauge (we can show you how to make your own)
16. Router Plane
17. Laptop Computer
Turning
(Some companies give a discount to Red Rocks students, so make sure to ask about that - the Bowl and Spindle Gouges are required but the Roughing Gouge is recommended).
Required Tools for Turning Class
1. Safety Glasses - you must have these - available at any hardware store.
2. 3/8" Bowl Gouge
3. 3/8" Spindle Gouge
Highly Recommended for Turning Class
- 3/4" Roughing Gouge
Guitar
(Some companies give a discount to Red Rocks students, so make sure to ask about that)
1. Card Scraper
- Consider buying a set, but you can certainly get by with only one.
2. Small 6" Ruler, marked in Millimeters
3. Various Grits of sandpaper (150, 220, 350)
- Any hardware store
Mandolin
(Some companies give a discount to Red Rocks students, so make sure to ask about that).
1. Small 6" Ruler, marked in Inches
2. Sharp Pencil
Carving
(Some companies give a discount to Red Rocks students, so make sure to ask about that).
The best advice is to invest in quality tools. Inferior tools will not take or hold an edge and are a waste of money, and will make your carving experience frustrating.
1. Gouges
Purchase 2-3 of the following to start with and add more when you can.
- The Size of the gouge refers to the width of the tool
- The Sweep refers to the curvature. Sweep varies from 1 (straight) to 11 (very deep curve).
#5 sweep - 8-14mm* #3 sweep - 20mm* #6 or 7 sweep - 10-14mm* #4 sweep - 7mm #8 sweep - 8-18mm* #11 sweep - 3mm* #9 sweep - 4-6mm #3 sweep - 12-14mm #7F (fishtail) sweep - 10mm or #5F - 14mm*
2. Carver's Mallet
The school has many of the turned student mallets around. You can make your own in a turning class or purchase one of a small or medium size.
3. Flexcut Chip Carving Knife
- or #12 x-acto knife
- or 3/4 or 1/2 bench chisel to make a custom carving tool
4. Sharpening
- Sharpening Stones.
- Slipstones.
- Leather Strop - The school has one you may borrow OR purchase one OR use an old rawhide belt.
5. Rasps and Rifflers
- (a few small ones)
