Orion Blog

Welcome to the second article of our woodworking blog, where we explore some of the favorite tools and equipment that our team relies on daily. At Orion Woodshop, each tool in our workshop has a purpose, contributing to the intricate art of finish carpentry, custom furniture making, and CNC manufacturing. We asked our team to share their favorite tool and why it holds a special place in their toolkit. Join us as we uncover the unique insights and expertise that drive our passion for woodworking.

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THE TEAM

From left to right: Jake, Charlie, Reece (human), Maisie (canine), Ryan, Ross. Not pictured: Jeff. We'll get an updated photo of the team soon!

JAKE

Tool: Hammer
Jake's Explanation: Simple as it may be, my favorite tool is a good old fashioned hammer. Rarely are we hammering nails by hand these days, but the versatility of the common hammer cannot be replaced. From nail pulling, to smashing drywall, to simply hammering pieces into place, our job simply couldn’t be done without a hammer. Every carpenter has a special relationship with their hammer and each one has endless stories to tell.

CHARLIE

Tool: Biscuit Jointer
Charlie's Explanation: The biscuit jointer is a portable jointing device that uses wood “biscuits” to create seamless joints that are strong and resist movement over time. We use the biscuit jointer to connect baseboard to door casings so that the joint is seamless and the trim looks continuous and intentional. It is my favorite tool because it separates us from the competition. When people see our transitions, they look cleaner and last longer even as the house starts to move over time. One of the most fun and important aspects of carpentry is the joinery, and the biscuit jointer is an easy to use, effective joint maker that can serve many purposes, and is far more affordable that a domino jointer, which serves a similar purpose.

REECE

Tool: Pinch Dogs
Reece's Explanation: Pound for pound, these are some of the most useful tools we use on site and are also the least expensive. At about $2 a piece they pay for themselves almost immediately. We use them constantly on paint grade finish packages. They allow us to glue components together without any fasteners at all. They also allow us to glue components together in place during installation. Baseboard and door casing intersections can be glued with minimal effort during installation and the result is a proper glue joint that has been held stationary and under constant pressure by the pinch dog. Highly recommend these tools to anyone taking on paint grade finish projects.

RYAN

Tool: Sketchup
Ryan's Explanation: My role at the company is primarily onboarding projects and designing custom products. So for me Sketchup is invaluable. It allows me to take a concept shared by a client, create a 3D rendering to verify that all parties are on the same page, and generate either G Code for the product to be made on the CNC, or a cut list for one of our staff members to produce. I get a lot of satisfaction seeing something go from a concept on a screen to a beautiful addition to someone's home or business, and Sketchup is key in enabling me to do just that.

ROSS

Tool: CNC
Ross' Explanation: The CNC allows us to create custom profiles and cut paths to make a extremely precise and repeatable product. Right now we are using the CNC to make custom press fit bookshelves for one of our clients. The maintenance of the CNC and its components are important. Daily inspections and weekly cleaning make sure the machine is running up to our specs.

JEFF

Tool: Block Plane
Jeff's Explanation: The block plane is hands down the tool that I find most satisfying to use. It is a workhorse that is important throughout the furniture building process, from flattening rough boards to perfecting the final details. My plane of choice is the lie-Nielsen block plane. I feel a special connection to this tool knowing that it was designed and built in Maine; mine was purchased at the factory in Warren. Tuning and sharpening the plane is an entire skill set of its own and is important to dial in. I am using my block plane on a current modular shelf build to trim plugs flush after cutting with a Japanese saw. The block plane flattens them with precision, they hardly require any sanding.

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