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Neanderthal Woodsmith

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Neanderthal Woodsmith

#1

Neanderthal Woodsmith

Rob in Peoria

>Last night I was perusing a back issue of Woodsmith magazine. This has always been one of my favorites � chock full of useful tips and methods of work. My point of view has changed some, though. It�s like they do everything with a router in that mag!

So, I got to thinking, what we need is a Neanderthal version of Woodsmith Magazine. If not a paper publication, maybe some experienced Neanderthals could take the initiative to share their experience and expertise with us who are relatively new to the ways of the hand tool - possibly a series of articles right here on WC.

Here�s what I�m picturing:

1) How do you approach a handtool project? What considerations need to be made?

2) Once the project is designed (are there any shortcuts inherent in the handtool methods?), what do you lay out first? Is there a way to work and put things together that makes more sense or less work?

3) Show us pictures of actually using the various tools required to complete the project. How are you holding that plane? How do you set the depth stop? Do you strike the line first, or just go after it with the rabbet plane? That sort of thing.

These are my thoughts � anyone interested?

Re: Neanderthal Woodsmith

#2

Re: Neanderthal Woodsmith

David Miller from Iowa

>Interesting idea. The first article should be selecting the wood - clear, straight grained, and AIR DRIED. Not taking away from their skill, but we sometimes forget the old timers had absolutely primo wood with which to work.

I often dumpster dive in the Chicago neighborhoods for wood. Found yesterday 4 big dresser drawers, solid ONE PIECE bottoms 22"x38"x3/8" with a handplane bevel - I think its gumwood. They will be the bottoms for my next drawered piece after the #112 gets done. The curly maple fronts were pretty sweet too. Trashed the rest of the drawers (pine) - weren't even dovetailed.

👍 This page answered my questions

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