To those who have eyes for venturing into this enjoyable activity of furniture-making, let me share with you my vast experience in this field. I have been making furniture for 44 years already, having started way back in 1967. I had managed a furniture company in the Sultanate of Oman in 1985. I am still connected at present with a big furniture firm here in Manila, Philippines as a General Manager. I know everything about this trade, from designing up to servicing at the client’s home. I started with this trade as an apprentice, then machine operator, then carpenter, then manager.

To get started in furniture-making, you should have a very keen interest in it. It is not easy to make an elegant furniture piece. It requires a good carpentry skill. Do not rely on the machines because they are only there to assist you. Machines are only good supporters, but without your excellent skill in carpentry works, you cannot produce a very fine furniture piece.

Of course, not all furniture items do require splendid craftsmanship. What I am trying to say are those items which an ordinary mortal cannot perfectly make. These items include wooden chairs such as Queen Anne, French Provincial, Scandinavian, and other high-end designs. Simple furniture items like fully upholstered sofa, bookshelves, coffee tables, are the best items to start with as they do not call for a very high expertise. At any rate, you need the following machines to get started:

Portable Circular Saw – I cannot imagine how a furniture item could be created without this machine. Can you split a wood stock of, say, 18” long by a hand saw? Yes, why not? But how many hours are you going to do it? If at all, is your cut perfect? It can be perfected, why not? You use hand plane to do that, but then, again, how much strength and time will the work calls for?

This machine is not very expensive. The last purchase I made was when I supervised an interior finishing works of a multi-national corporate office in a business district here in Manila. I got it for Php4,500 only, Black & Decker brand. I don’t know its price in other countries. I can only speak for my country.

This machine is very basic in general woodworking. The much expensive version of this type is the Table Saw, but you cannot easily transfer it from one place to another, unlike the portable saw. Of course, there is a big difference between the two insofar as the overall uses are concerned, but principally, they are of the same importance.

This machine comes in a variety of models and specifications. You can choose the one that fits your budget. But, remember this when you buy this machine. Never go for an ordinary cutting blade. You MUST use a carbide-tipped blade because it yields a smooth cut and you don’t have to sharpen it every time. Sharpening of this kind of blade is done ONLY by a sharpening machine also.

The Portable Drill – This machine is important not only in woodworks, but also in metal works and glazing works. If you have this kind of machine, you can make comfortably any woodwork or metal work projects. The stationary version of this type of machine has a thousand and one uses, aside from its main purpose of drilling or boring holes. Drill bits come in plenty of sizes that you can choose from. Anyway, when you buy this machine, various types of bits are included in the package. Without this machine you cannot make perfect holes for screwing purposes, for example. You can also use this machine for making mortises. Although you cannot make a perfectly-shaped mortise with this machine, your work can be complemented by a chisel for the corners. This machine is as versatile also as the portable saw. This is not also an expensive machine. It is cheaper than the portable saw by as high as 50%. Never make a furniture piece if you don’t have this machine.

The Portable Router – This is the most expensive machine among the portable machines in furniture-making. Although it is not as versatile as the portable saw, furniture-making requires this machine for exquisite results. One of its many uses are molding works. If you want to make a perfect dado or perfect rabbet, you should have this kind of machine. The result is very, very clean and smooth, what with its 20,000 rpm. This is expensive than the circular saw by as high as 400%, but you will be happy by its performance. If your budget is a little bit generous, I advise you to equip yourself with this machine. Again, remember this: always use carbide-tipped bits and blades.