Woodworking Power Bench Tools

Bench Saws

• Common types of woodworking bench saws include chop saws, miter saws and radial arm saws. All of the common types of bench saws mount to the top of a workbench or table and slice through lumber with a large-diameter, circular blade. Bench saw blades vary according to tooth-type. Whereas fine-toothed blades create clean-edged cuts through finish-grade materials, coarse-toothed blades create rough cuts through thick or rough materials. Many bench saws, particularly the miter saw, tilt and rotate to create angled cuts.

Band Saws

• Although some band saws are stand-alone machines, many band saws mount to or sit atop benches or tables. The distinguishing feature of the band saw is a thin, flexible blade. The blade runs between a flat, table-like base and an elevated arm. To use the band saw, a woodworker pushes material through the blade as the blade moves between the saw's table and arm. Band saws create thin cuts and allow woodworkers to manipulate material with both hands to form intricate patterns or curved forms.

Drill Press

• Like a portable power drill, the drill press bores cylindrical holes. The primary components of a drill press are a stationary base and a retractable, arm-mounted drill. Similar to a standard power drill, the drill press's arm-mounted drill spins sharpened cutting attachments, called bits. Woodworkers place material on the drill press's base, activate the drill's rotation and lower the spinning bit through the material. Mounted to a set of rails, the drill press's drill bores precisely straight holes.

Lathe

• The bench-mounted lathe turns a workpiece as the woodworker presses cutting bits against the rotating material's surface. Woodworkers use lathes to create many familiar, decorative components, such as turned table legs and staircase balusters. The simplest type of lathe grasps blocks of wood at both ends with a set of sharp pins. The lathe's pins connect to motor-driven gears that power the pins' rotation. Woodworkers press handheld chisels against the rotating material to create cuts of even depth around the material's perimeter. Alternatively, many lathes have mechanical arms that automatically press cutting bits against a workpiece.