Handtool Forum Question

Re: Handtool Forum Question

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>Well..., nobody like to be pigeonholed, but there are folks here who use both power and hand tools, folks who use entirely (or almost) hand tools, and some who do not use any tools - they just collect them.

So, it is a collection of people who, to some degree or another, like to talk about hand tool use, collection, history or manufacture, and this is the place to do it. Power tools are occasionally talked about within the scope of using them to make hand tools.

Swing both ways

Eric Hedberg

>I think you'll find a number of people here that use both. I love my hand tools, but given the choice of planing down a big knarly piece of wood, I'll choose my power planer first. Course then I'll hand tool finish it to hide my indiscretion. This is the board, though, to get opinions on hand tools old or new, not to mention the latest gossip. Speaking of which, aren't the guys at Veritas overdue in getting some more toys for us spokeshave lovers? Not everything is hand planes. Eric

I would bet...

Ted Owen, Pittsburgh

>the majority use both hand and power tools. But we're sort of in awe of those who use only hand tools.

For dimensioning, I use a power planer, then a few swipes with hand planes. Table saw or band saw slightly oversized, then finish with planes, rasps, files, etc. as necessary.

For edge treatments, depends on my mood.

For joinery--dovetails and mortises almost always by hand. Nearly as quick, cleaner, and more fun that way. But if casework, probably end up fastening with air brads or staples.

When using power tools, I don't experience the sense of communing with those long since dead that I get with old hand tools. Don't mean to sound creepy, but it's very enjoyable to use a tool previously owned by someone else and think that soul might be happy seeing his stuff taken care of and actually used.

OK, I guess that is indeed getting a little creepy, so I'll quit now.

Best, Ted

Haven't seem my shop for sale in the classifieds

Ernie Miller Topeka

>I still have allmost all of my Power tools I have gotten rid of a few. I got mad and threw my router out to the end of the drive way last year went in the house cmae back it was gone. Wo HOO! a couple weeks later the neighbor stopped when he saw me working and gave it back. I have been giving tools I no longer use to my brothers. but I will keep the table saw band saw and lathe for now.

GET OUT!

Adam Cherubini, NJ

>GET OUT you normite electron killer!! We don't serve your kind here.

(You didn't really expect anybody to say that, did you?) Get to know us and feel welcome.

Het that reminds me. I recall a pretty thoughtful discussion we had sometime ago about whether hand held electric tools were hand tools. Truth be told when I talk about not having power tools, I tend to exclude things like electric drills, palm sanders (ain't got one)etc from that list. In my mind power tools are big heavy, stationary woodworking tools.

Anyway, WELCOME!

Adam Cherubini

Re: Handtool Forum Question *LINK*

walt q

>Tommy,

I've read plenty of your posts on the dark side..welcome to what we,in our more lucid moments, call "the slope"...this will likely be your last chance to step away from the edge; take advantage of it. :-) I, too, at one time was a "normite"; still have the full array of 'lectron burners and still use them when circumstances warrant. But there's a serenity to using hand tools that you don't get with the powered variety and you don't have to worry about slicing your fingers off (except when you're sharpening blades..DAMHIKT). For every tailed demon there's a non-'lectrical way to do the same thing..and if you thought buying power tools was expensive..just wait! 'course you can get away with just one or two planes..but they're sort of like salted peanuts on the counter of your neighborhood bar....very addiciting. Once your hooked, there's no turning back...so, don't try to say no one's warned you :-). It's an interesting ride; best enjoyed by just relaxing and letting it take you wherever it will. here's a bit of what we call tool porn to ease you into it: Vaughn & Bushnell 905

walt Q




brass city tools

Re: Handtool Forum Question

L. Hanson

>I use both - power tools get called on for the mundane or precise work, but I like the intimate work to be done with hand tools. I just am not a big fan of machining wood, but there are many times it is much easier to rip a board on a table saw than with an old Disston.

I find I stay pretty exclusively in the hand tool sections of web sites... I like the slower pace of the hand tool forums - it allows me to keep up with the conversations more. I also like the more historical perspective presented in hand tool forums, something you are less likely to see in power tool section. Not just of the tools themselves, which I also find interesting, but in the construction methods used in building furniture, both historically and in how those methods are applied today.

I find the dedication many knuckle draggers give to learning the craftsmanship of building appealing. Often, it might be (arguably) both faster and easier for many to use a jig and router to do dovetails, for example, but learning how to do them by hand opens up a myriad of techniques (and results!) not afforded by the use of the router. That entire aspect of hand tools intrigues me - it often transcends into art, which is another interest of mine. Not that it couldn't be done with power tools, I just think that the hand tool types are often more in touch with that side of the craft.

Plus, its personal preference. I don't do this as a primary means of income, I do it as a hobby. My goal is more for the enjoyment and personal satisfaction of it than anything.

Leif

NorseWoodsmith.com

Bingo...

Rich Glisson

>...I have several of my grandfather's hand tools. I always smile and say "Thank you, George!" when I use them. It really is a unique and pleasurable feeling. He died in 1963 when I was 5, and I am certain he would be thrilled to know how much I enjoy using his tools. No one else in the family is even remotely interested.

Re: Handtool Forum Question

Tom MacGregor, Vermont

>I use both also. I'm a hobbiest who mostly uses machinery to do the bull work and get to the relaxing and rewarding hand stuff faster. I also find that many things are faster and/or easier with hand tools. Resawed a board too wide for my bandsaw with grampa's Disston D8 5-1/2 pt. ripsaw last week with far less effort than you might think. Removing twist with handplanes requires no fancy setup. But my love of old tools extends to my machines, too, most of which are 40's and 50's era belt drive stuff bought at salvage prices and restored. BTW, nice 905 Walt. Just snagged one myself for $32 (small gloat). Seems to be my year for finding V&B's.

Re: Handtool Forum Question

Steve Kubien

>I switch from both AC/DC to NC (no current). I enjoy handtool work much more than power, I am just slow and terribly under-skilled. Why do I hang out here and not the 'main' board? Well, the people around tolerate me. The chances of finding another group that will seems too unlikely. Besides, I need to learn everything I can about handtool techniques before this "internet" thingamabob dries up and blows away. I hope you realize that it's just a fad?

Regards,

Steve Kubien

Re: GET OUT!

Steve Kubien

>I remember a thread (I believe from the Badger Pond days) where it was determined that plywood would furthermore be classified as a power tool. Boy, I wish I had kept that whole thread.

Steve Kubien

Ajax, Ontario

I'm a hand tooler...

Derek

>I use the tool that comes to hand, including a ta*l*s*w or a smoother as appropriate.

I just glued up a birdseye maple table top. I will use hand planes and scrapers to make it "nice" but I did eat quite a few electrons. Yummy! Burp...

Hi Tommy...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Schlepping on the other side of the tracks eh?

More and more of what I work is being done by hand tools. I'm no pro here, but do get a job here and there. My TS is pretty much an assembly table, but the bandsaw...now that's another story...

What Ted said :)

Mike Rubes, Apex, NC

>Hi Tommy,

I agree with what Ted said. While I seldom post on this side, I do read it often and get a lot from it. Everyone is different and for me, I've found that hand tools work best for fitting joints and for some "final" finishing work on stuff. While I can see and understand the satisfaction that someone might get from handplanning 200 bf of hard maple from 4/4 to 3/4, I'll be reaching for the "on" switch for that task!!! :)

It's all about the enjoyment to me and with that in mind, I use the handtools where I want because it adds to the enjoyment.

Mike

Love my Bosch router and LN handplanes in Apex, NC!!!

Nice subtle hook:)!!

Gerry Doll

>

Re: Handtool Forum Question

Kevin French, Antrim NH

>I'm working to to try to pick up a handtool first. but I'm not going to give up my TS.

One important point though, they don't cotton to talk of killing electrons on this board. That's where the line is drawn in the sawdust. The other side my suggest you try over here to get a better answer. You start talking about machines that kill electrons here and you might find out the meaning of "Hate Mail"

Welcome to our board.

I'll Roger that

Greg B�tit, Vergennes, VT

>Overdue, for sure. Come on guys, cough 'em up!

Greg :)

Thanks, and reason for question....

Thomas Skaggs, Foothills of Mount Level

>Considering my work employs both neander tools and electron eaters I just thought I'd try and see how strict folks here are. I may post some of my stuff some time and I just didn't know if I'd be shunned because parts of the project were done by noisy tools.

Sounds like you folks are ok with a little "cheating". ;-)

Thanks

Tommy

Re: Thanks, and reason for question....

Dennis

>Some of us for one reason or another just don't use power. I had a life time of using the screaming devils and now while i still got most of my hearing and all of my fingers i have no need for them. I can do anything i want with hand tools and for the most part just as fast.

I get a big kick out of watching the local "norm's" around here, the usual " i got to recharge my cordless " to drive 2 screws. What and how other people do things is up to them.

Dennis, who only owns 1 electric drill and that has a broken switch and cord. Guess i will pitch that out.

remove nospam for email

Reasons for no power tools

Ted Shuck, Centennial, CO

>I have a mini-lathe and that's it for my power tools. I have many of the same reasons as the others have posted for not using power tools. I like the quiet, lower dust levels, satisfaction of hand tool use, and relatively increased safety.

Another big reason for me is I just don't have the space. I share my "shop" with two cars. When they are outside, I have some room. But when they are inside, I barely have room to stand in front of my bench.

I am sure I could be more efficient if I had some power tools. But, I know I get more exercise using hand tools. It's a hobby, not a business for me.

I am willing to listen to stories of those who sacrifice electrons. Maybe some day I will move out of this cave and get some modern amenities myself.

Cheers,

Ted

Hey TOMMY! For once & ALL...

HC Sakman

>Tommy & ALL,

Let's get real and do not discuss this again.

Bulk of the labor intensive work is done by power tools. Poor old masters (& their apprentices)were sure got really good at doing that kind of work because they didn't have any other options. If they had access to power tools, I am 100% sure they would embrace them and use them and thanking God every time they use them.

What makes woodworking "fine", happens on the bench. Intricate joinery, inlays and other similar tasks done by hand tools. Most of these tasks can not be done by machines or power tools anyway.

So, this side of Woodcentral rather focuses on woodwork that happens on the workbench, instead of cast-iron.

That's all I have to say about it.

Chico...

Re: Handtool Forum Question

MikeG

>Thomas -

I'm in the same boat you are. I'm relatively new to the hobby from a furniture perspective. I use power tools and hand tools. My skills are not good enough to accurately joint a long board for a panel glue up so I turn to my electric jointer. Over time I would like to master planes and hand saws to be able to do an entire project by hand.

I much prefer the sound of a plane slicing the wood than the sound of the table saw cutting. I do hand plane my panels and other pieces prior to final sanding to remove plane tracks. Yes, I need to ease the edges on my 4 1/2 to stop making tracks.

So don't feel like an outcast here.

my 2cents...

Mike

If you power plane...

Ted Owen, Pittsburgh

>you can still take a few swipes afterward with a bench plane, #8 or #7. The joint likely will look better, may even disappear.

And you can put in a smidgeon of concavity with the hand planes, which might help with alignment at glue-up time.

Best, Ted