Hey, hand tools are good!

3/9/04, 5:23 PM #1

Luke Herzberg
Guest

Hey, hand tools are good!

Luke Herzberg

>Yesterday evening I was struck by an epiphany, most likely because it was poorly secured on an overhead shelf.

I have been attempting to do as much work as possible with hand tools, for various reasons, none of which have ever been "because they are faster than power tools". In the process of building a lazy susan for the bathroom cupboards, I needed to rip some pieces with a gradual, straight taper. My main goal was to finish the darn thing, not practice my hand tool skills or quietly meditate on the meaning of sawdust, so I thought, "Well, to heck with it, I'm using power tools on this one."

So then I began to think of how I was going to rip the tapers...sliding jig for the table saw? Clamps and straight edge and circular saw? Recip saw? And then it hit me...and I grabbed my junk sale D8 from off the wall, zipped through the board and cleaned it up with a few swipes of a block plane.

Now I know there is nothing revolutionary here to most folks on this board, but most hand tool skills seemed to be beyond my grasp only a year ago and no amount of pondering would have ever caused me to attempt them. I started with the assumption that in the beginning there were hand tools, and then power tools came along and all things were made faster and better because of it.

...and so I shifted my Paradigm brand tablesaw back to it's place against the wall.

- Luke

Re: Hey, hand tools are good!

3/9/04, 5:38 PM #2

Dan Donaldson
Master Craftsman
Offline
5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Funny how that works isn't it ;-)

Dan Donaldson

>I have had the experience of helping different people do stuff and gotten to a point that something needed to be "adjusted". In many cases, they are doing just what you described, trying to figure out how to fixture it or.... In the meantime, I grab a handsaw or plane, or other appropriate tool and just do it. The amazed looks you get are priceless.

I am not a masochist and still use my power tools for the things they are best at. Most of my rough dimensioning etc. is done by killing poor defenseless electrons, but, especially for the smaller type of projects that I normally do, hand tools are easier, quicker, and more satisfying to me. (I think my Leigh Jig is probably lonesome as it hasn't been out of the cabinet in at least a year and a half;-))

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Hey, hand tools are good!

3/9/04, 5:49 PM #3

Brent Langdon, Sterling VA
Guest

I am with you...

Brent Langdon, Sterling VA

>I am slowly starting to shift my hand tool usage. I used to grab a hand tool only when I had a one-off that did not require precision. If I wanted precision I would turn to a power tool. More and more I find that if I want precision I should not turn to the router or tablesaw. It is just too easy to screw up a piece with those tools.

By the time that I set up the right blade or bit, attach the shop vac, set up some featherboards, get the eye and hearing protection out, etc. it is likely that I could be almost done using hand tools.

- Brent

Re: Hey, hand tools are good!

3/9/04, 10:24 PM #4

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
Master Craftsman
Offline
3,699 posts

Registered: 1/5/04

Luke...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>May to force be with you as you slide down the slippery slope!

Re: Hey, hand tools are good!

3/10/04, 12:19 AM #5

Alan Hamilton
Guest

Re: Hey, hand tools are good!

Alan Hamilton

>Luke,

Ah, yes. The surprised looks can be priceless.

A while ago I had a good gloat that some of my dear family had gotten me a set of Two Cherries mortising chisels for my birthday. They had them shipped directly to me, all wrapped and pretty. This last Sunday there was another birthday and another excuse for a family get-together. Those who had chipped in for my chisels--and some who had not--wanted to see where their money had gone; and they all seemed interested in how they are used.

I'm always happy to show off my tools. I explained as best I could how they were put to use; and I even found some photographs in one of my wood working books of someone chopping mortises.

Everyone seemed satisfied, if not fully understanding. Then my sister said, "aren't there machines that will do this?"

Alan

Hey, hand tools are good!

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