Project Information
A lot of times we buy hand tools at the store because we like the way it looks, it is on sell, or we need one quick. I have drawers and walls full of them. I have found that there is no greater pleasure in wood working than using a tool that I made and it performed the task as intended.
When I make a tool I do not make it fit my neighbors hand, my co-workers hand, or for that fact your hand. I make it to fit my hand. I usually start by surfing the net looking at all the shapes of a tool I can find. I then form the tool in the general shape I want and then keep putting my hands on it in the position it will be used as I complete the form. The tool should feel good in my hand.
I added a thumb notch in the mallet that gives me more control when tapping a chisel. This mallet is only used on chisels with leather on the handle. It is not used for heavy scoring.
The scratch awl feels good when I use it to make a starting hole for screws or scoring a line.
I think you get the idea. I just thought I would throw this out to ponder and hopefully get you to make your own custom tools if you have not already.
Jerry
When I make a tool I do not make it fit my neighbors hand, my co-workers hand, or for that fact your hand. I make it to fit my hand. I usually start by surfing the net looking at all the shapes of a tool I can find. I then form the tool in the general shape I want and then keep putting my hands on it in the position it will be used as I complete the form. The tool should feel good in my hand.
I added a thumb notch in the mallet that gives me more control when tapping a chisel. This mallet is only used on chisels with leather on the handle. It is not used for heavy scoring.
The scratch awl feels good when I use it to make a starting hole for screws or scoring a line.
I think you get the idea. I just thought I would throw this out to ponder and hopefully get you to make your own custom tools if you have not already.
Jerry