Purchase a beginner’s carpentry book such as “Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings” by Aldren Auld Watson, “Hand Tool Essentials” by Popular Woodworking, “Hand Tools for Woodworkers” by Robert Wearing and “Choosing & Using Hand Tools” by Andy Rae. Select a book with plenty of illustrations, photos and step-by-step instructions.
Browse your local hardware store, such as Lowes or Home Depot, or visit online retailers such as Stanley Hand Tools and Aubuchon Hardware, reviewing their collections of tools such as clamps, pliers, screwdrivers, wreckers, nippers, hammers, cold chisels, punches, vises and cutters.
Enroll in a carpentry course, such as the Associate Degree in Specialized Technology offered by Triangle Tech in Pennsylvania. You’ll get hands-on instruction on tools related to many carpentry methods; while the class may be geared towards students interested in carpentry as a career, you’ll learn plenty of topics such as cabinet making, tools and safety, floor framing and blueprint reading, which you can apply to a carpentry hobby.
Join a local woodworkers’ organization, such as the Central Jersey Woodworkers Association. Groups offer a membership list, events and educational seminars for all skill levels. The New Jersey group, for example, offered a special event featuring Lie-Nielson hand tool demonstrations in June 2010.
Read carpentry websites such as THIS is Carpentry, which offers feature articles such as “Why Hand Tools (Still Matter),” step-by-step project ideas and information about hand-tool vendors.