Read Best Astronomy Apps for iOS and Android
1. Woodworking 101
If you’ve always thought of getting into woodworking or introducing someone to the craft, this app is a great starting point. It teaches woodworking basics, information about tools and even safety protocol one should follow. The app has a simple interface and the lessons are listed as chapters on the homepage. You have a basic introductory chapter, followed by others such as safety, where you can read about essential safety machine and hand tools, style of saws, types of joints and more. The app has banner ads at the bottom but not intrusive and also works offline. The only downside I found was the lack of visual explanation which would have been a nice way to get introduced to tools. You can find a similar app for iOS here. Who is it for? A hobbyist or a first-timer who wants to read about carpentry and woodworking. Get Woodworking 101 on Android
2. WoodMaster
If you’re a carpenter and tired of manually calculating dimensions and other measurements or using the calculator. Woodmaster is an app that combines all the conversion tools and calculators into one. It boasts of tons of useful features which can come in handy such as board foot calculator, shelf calculator, length conversions, etc. You can also find references for nail size, visual guide to types of wood and common joint types used in woodworking. This app might not be a useful woodworking app for beginners or hobbyist as it costs $7.99. However, if you’re intermediate or an expert it can make calculating quicker. Who is it for? Anyone who’s looking for a woodworking specific calculator and conversion tool in one app. Get WoodMaster for ( iOS | Android )
3. I.D. Wood
This one has been a highly recommended app by the Woodworkers Guild of America. It’s really helpful for both woodworkers and customers who are very particular about the type of wood they want to buy or build with. It has a database of over 200 different kinds of woods along with a long list of info, like species names, origin, woodworking properties, durability, sustainability, etc. You can easily browse by wood name, shade and it even has a search option. There are some nifty add-on features as well, such as illustrations about cutting techniques, wood glossary, lumber info and more such useful addons. The app comes at $4.99 and is only available on iOS. You can also check out a similar app for Android. Who is it for? Wood-guidebook for a guidebook for woodworkers, furniture makers, collectors, etc. Get I.D. Wood for iOS
4. iHandy Carpenter
While Woodmaster helps you out with measurements and conversions with your woodworking, iHandy Carpenter handles the practical side of it. There are 5 tools that any carpenter would need on a daily basis. You have the plumb bob tool to verify vertical walls, bubble level bar, surface-level bar and a protractor. There is also an inbuilt ruler and if you’re concerned about the length limitation, don’t worry. The ruler has a swipe feature, so you can swipe left/right to measure much longer distance than the phone. If you find the measurements inaccurate, don’t forget to calibrate by referring to help and instructions setting page. The comes at a cost of $2, which is fair for the tools you’re getting. if you don’t want that, you can always download individual tools app from the app store. Who is it for? Anyone looking for a ruler, bubble tool, plumb bob tool and others in one app. Get iHandy Carpenter for ( iOS | Android )
5. Woodworking
Since COVID-19 has locked us in, the only way you can stumble upon new work and meet fellow woodworks is online. You can brush off the blues with the Woodworking app. It’s a social media platform to connect with others around the world, follow their profiles and view project details. It’s a great way to find new ideas for your next build, find materials you’ll need and a huge community of people who you can chat with if you’re stuck anytime. You can also make your profile and join groups to help others. It’s a free app and you can sign-up with your Google account with ease. Who is it for? Anyone looking for a platform to socialize with fellow woodworkers along with DIYs, projects and carpentry inspiration, group chats, etc. Get Woodworking for ( iOS | Android )
6. Metal Detector
We’ve all stumbled upon old furniture in our houses or broken doors that we tried to fix or refurbish into something new. I’m sure like me, you’ve also had accidents with rustic nails hidden underneath the wood. So, if you’re don’t want to get hurt over and over again, use this app to convert your phone in a metal detector tool. It uses your phone’s magnetic sensor to measure magnetic field level (EMF). It’s not complicated to use, all you have to do is move your phone around and see how much the meter fluctuates. So you can easily detect a nail and also use it to find iron pipes, electrical wires, etc. The app has a pro version that removes banner ads for $1.5, but I hardly think you’ll need to do that until you want to show support to the dev. Who is it for? Great for finding small metal nails in wood as it comes with a beep sound effect. Also very useful for someone who works with old, vintage and worn-out furniture. Get Metal Detector for ( iOS | Android )
7. Sketch-Up
Many hobbyists, beginners start with their first project with furniture. So, if you’re a DIY guy and want to build something with user-specific requirements, a friendly furniture design software will make it easy for you. Sketch Up is one such app we’ve talked about before and is user friendly. It also has a huge 3D library to take as a reference. You can download objects and you can design things piece by piece which can be a good rehearsal before you get to the workshop. The app has a free web version for personal use. If you want to read in-depth about furniture design apps, here’s a detailed guide. Who is it for? Anyone who wants to starts designing their own furniture and other objects with an easy to learn the software. Visit Sketch Up
Closing Remarks
Who would’ve thought that someday, woodworking apps on your phone might ease a physical job for you? Well, These, in my opinion, add a lot of utility and cut off manual work you might have done. If you’ve any suggestion or apps that you’d like me to add, don’t forget to leave a comment below. Also Read Best Sketch Apps for iOS & Android
