A simple question

Re: A simple question

Ernie Miller Topeka

>I don't know if you are in the right place this is a hand tool board. To answer your question from out perspective you will need a sharp hand saw, a sharp chisel, mallet, possably a coping saw if you want to cut the waist out instead of chopping. Some layout tools. You could get by with a ruler and a T-bevel or even a block of wood that had been cut at the right angle in a pinch. Practice wouldn't hurt either.

Re: A simple question and another question HELP!

Adam Cherubini, NJ

>half of a box has 5 sides in my world. So dovetails alone won't get you there.

Judging only from your post (and please forgive the presumption) I suggest a visit to the public library. When people ask me what books I recommend, I think about where I am now and make my recommendations accordingly (sorry if this sounds really presumptuous).

But when I first started, I read everything my library had on the subject and I'm sure I was aided and encouraged by these books (that don't come to mind now). I remember liking Graham Blackburn's books, Jim Tolpin, Alex Bealer, FWW compliations.

So here's my question to everyone: Do you agree that you would recommend different books according to the experience level or aspirations of a woodworker interesting in hand tools?

I've posted my rec.s for people interested in historical woodworking. But these probably aren't approrpiate for beginners. Could we make an article or something that gave beginners a list of books (maybe with a short blurb reviews) that we collectively think would be helpful?

We should try to limit the list to readily available books (that doesn't neceesarily mean in print or in stock at Amazon) and limit the list to 10 or so books.

Would everyone agree that the Woodwright books be among them? I think Dunbar's book, "Restoring tuning and using Classic hand tools" should be on the list.

Any interest in making a WC readers' "Introduction to Using Hand Tools Book List"? We could make another list for people interested in restoring hand tools, maybe add my list for folks interested in history.

Or do book lists like these already exist?

Wouldn't it be cool if we could steer people somewhere with this info?

Maybe it could be like a consumers reports of books. We could make a mongo list then we could all vote good better best for our favorites for different categories. Anyone?

Anyway, to the original poster, good luck and please don't forget to post your e-mail address next time so we can contact you offline. If you are worried about spam, add something to your address as others here sometimes do. See my address for an example.

Re: A simple question and another question HELP!

Dave Mount

>I think Hoadley's "Understanding Wood" should be one of the first reads for any woodworker, traditionalist or otherwise. You have to understand your medium to work in it, and I think Hoadley's book provides highly technical information in a very digestible form.

In terms of tools, design, and technique, I think different people learn differently. Some can read material on a tool or technique and internalize the information. Others learn much better by doing.

With regard to the latter category, I think Woodsmith magazine is an excellent instructional series for beginners through intermediates. It was very influential for me. The things I liked about it (aside from no ads) include: 1) it doesn't presume you have an excessive amount of tooling at your disposal (e.g., even projects that require lathes are presented with "no-lathe" alternatives; 2) the technique articles are presented in the context of their application in projects, which is an effective teaching approach for many; 3) the "how to" instruction is generally very clear (a recipe for completing a project, not just plans); 4) and although some of the projects are moderately involved, they are executed using techniques within reach of even fairly inexperienced woodworkers. Their projects are also varied enough in scope and style that most anyone can find something they'd like to build. And, most significantly, most all of the back issues are still available, and can be browsed at many woodworking stores.

While Woodsmith deals less with hand tools than power, I still think it is valuable for folks that want to use hand tools, because many of the principles of woodworking are dictated by the medium, and not by the tools you use to achieve the end product.

My $0.02,

Dave

A link, a book *LINK*

Christopher Schwarz

>We all have books we love, usually the ones we started with.

I read a lot, here are two I like:

Graham Blackburn's "Traditional Woodworking Techniques."

It's in part a compilation of earlier books of his that are no longer available. Yes, it's a bit pricey. But I bought it myself and am glad I did. It starts with making a simple box and moves on from there.

http://blackburnbooks.com/Product/TWT.html

His companion book "Traditional Woodworking Handtools" is tool-centric. Not a bad thing. Just different.

Also, below is a link to a meta-site being built by the oldtools folks. There is lots to explore here if you like staring at your screen. I find something new everytime I visit. Definitely worth a bookmark.

Chris


Hand Tool Knowledge Base

Re: A simple question

Greg B�tit, Vergennes, VT

>Taking your question literally, all you need to make dovetails is a saw and a chisel, something to strike the chisel with, and something to scribe straight lines on the workpiece.

The saw should cut a fine kerf so the hand saws you have may be too coarse. The chisel will need to be razor sharp. That's not a figurative exageration, you should be able to literally cut hair off the arm with it. For that you'll need sharpening paraphernalia. An assortment of coarse to fine sandpaper works for this. You may also need something with which to whack the chisel. This list can grow- there are nice layout tools, wonderful saws, super high quality chisels, de luxe mallets, and whole sharpening systems you can acquire depending on your committment to making the best dovetails ever, or the number of them you intend to make, and how much you feel like spending, etc.

Greg

Re: A simple question

Robert Cox

>Thanks, I'll do some reading.

What I'm after is a lid for the back of my daughters Jeep Wrangler. Basically a trunk.

It needs a panel against the seat backs and a lid. Thus my poor description of half a box.

I couldt just hinge 2 panels together but I want to make it strong.

Thus, my foray away from the lathe.

A simple answer...;>)

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs

>First tool:

I think you need a saw filed about 15 TPI, or a 15 point dovetail saw as it is usually referred to.

Second tool:

A sharp chisel and some way to keep it sharp. Size is determined by the size of the dovetail you are cutting.

Third tool:

Something to pound/tap the chisel with.

Fourth tool:

A clamp to clamp the board(s) to a bench.

Fifth tool:

A bench

Oh yeah....a pencil ;>)!!

Robert, I really like The Frank Klausz Video on making dovetails. He illustrates his technique by making a drawer which, to answer your specific question, is very similar to 1/2 a box, right?

Sometimes, if you ask someone, "What time is it?", you will get a response that ends up telling you how to make a watch. Hope I didn't do that!

If the above doesn't work, buy the Akeda DT jig!

Re: A simple question and another question HELP!

Ron in Kokomo

>Adam

We did this a few years ago over on the "porch" and I have forgotten. I do remember that one of the favoriesa was an out of print classic that had recently been republished in paper back and the name escapes me. " "Complete Woodworker" or something like it. I really believe that you are correct in that there are some books that are much friendlier and more useful to beginners than others. I would add that in 2005 there can be an argument that at least half the "books" might better be video tapes. I'd also agree that Roy should be represented. I'd also include "Make a Chair From a Tree".. Gotta have Dunbar and Graham Blackburn. Garret Hack has a good one also . I'd have to include some Klingshott videos and probably "Klausz'z Dovetail a Drawer video.. although it is a little like watching pro golf on TV. The unitiated have trouble because they think they should watch his video and make a pracice joint and be ready to go... Yeah.... right