Transitioning to handtools?

Mart – I am absolutely an advocate of hand tools. Like many, I’ve found myself over the years transitioning more and more to the use of hand tools. Acquiring proficiency in their use has made me enjoy the craft in ways I never thought possible. I hope you enjoy your journey as much as I have.

-- Keith Cruickshank, www.woodtreks.com - on-demand woodworking videos

Mart, I’m not ready to give up my power tools, but I love my hand tools, and I do a lot of joinery on my furniture with hand tools. Mainly because I’ve found it to be quicker to cut certain joints with them, rather than make a jig to do it with a power tool. Sometimes I find that I can’t even figure out a jig to do the job and resort to the hand tools.
Don’t lock yourself in to a specific brand of tool, unless you’re planning on becoming a collector. Most of the American made tools are good. I have several different brands of planes, that I’ve up graded to Hock and Lie-Nielsen blades and chip breakers, that work great. Like Keith said, get a book to get a little education, then start shopping the flea markets. Watch Ebay to get an idea of what the items you’re interested in will sell for.
And on your last comment, I’ve found that you can do better work with power tools, if you know how to do the procedure with a hand tool.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

I use a lot of my hand tools, That’s how I was taught. But I will not hesitate to use a power tool when I can.
Some jobs just scream hand tools and some don’t. That’s how I look at it.

-- Bob K. East Northport, NY

You are not alone. Some refer to it as being a “hybrid woodworker”. No need to toss your power tools, there is no shame in using both. Walking into my shop I don’t think anyone would realize that I have about 20 kinds of hand planes tucked away. From first glance the tablesaw, bandsaw, and jointer are overpowering optical elements in the shop. Not a problem and most of my stationary tools get used on every project. But the joinery and fine work is best left to the hand tools.

Okay, what was the question again? Oh, good brands. I dunno, typically I try to stick to the stanley stuff for vintage planes. There is a ton of them. They are easily recognized by even novice users. They also hold value quite well. Chisels, I go new here. You can find deals if you run around, but I prefer the matched set. Saws, disstons are the standard answer there.

As far as books go I would recommend investing in some of the Clarence Blanchard books. I have the little big book as my stanley plane guide. But he also has several other books of interest for a vintage tool hunter.
Amazon link

-- Doug, woodworking in Alabama

Toss me in the hybrid pile. I think mostly for the reason that when starting out its easier(meaning cheaper) to buy hand tools than a shop full of power tools to get some jobs done. Just ordered the veritas beading tool for a christmas present and cant wait to learn how to use it.

-- Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Another hybrid here. For a lot of what I do (resawing thin wood and thicknessing it evenly), bandsaws, planers, and thickness sanders are huge time-savers.

However, for lutherie, hand-tool expertise is absolutely necessary – you can’t cut a perfect miter in place on an instrument with a power tool, no matter how skillful you are.

-- Death before dishonour; nothing before coffee

Guess I will come out of the closet and admit I am a hybrid user also. Hand tools can give finishing work that special touch you just won’t get from a power tool.

I use tools to work wood. Some use electricity, some don’t.

I honestly never understood the “power tool woodworker” moniker of folks who completely ignore hand tools. Maybe it’s another way to say “Woodworker who doesn’t know how to sharpen?” =8^0

Once upon a time, I can remember spending large blocks of time aligning and test cutting to make four tenons.

Folks who choose hand tools only often have specific reasons for not using power. Many of them don’t have much space, can’t make noise, or choose to study the historic and traditional methods of silent woodworking.

I prefer to think of my stationary tools as apprentices. My apprentices will provide me with stock that’s close to perfect dimensions, and nearly flat. The apprentices are also very good at repetitive work. With the proper shop made jgging, I can make identical parts ‘till the cows come home. My sharp hand tools allow me to quickly and precisely finish surfaces and fit tight joinery in typical small shop numbers.

We live in a fantastic time to pursue the craft, as we have enjoyed unprecedented low prices in power tools and machinery, as well as a fantastic selection of fine hand tools that are arguably the best ever.

Oddly enough, I use a power tool to sharpen! <g>

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I use a lot of hand tools, and see a lot because of a project I run that gives away tools to young boys. Guys send me a lot of hand planes, chisels, brace and bits, gauges, saws, etc. The Mid-West Tool Collectors(http://www.mwtca.org/) swap meets is absolutely the best place to buy used tools. User tools are cheap at these things, as the collectors are constantly culling out their collections and there are unbelievable buys. Well worth the cost of membership, and the swap meets are nation wide. Another source is old tool dealers, and I will give up a jewel: http://www.toolbazaarcatalogue.co.uk Scottish tools at great prices. Here is the definitive treatise on hand planes: http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html Pat Leach is a great guy and also sells only the best tools. This should get you started.

Sam,

Excellent link to MWTCA. Thanks for posting!

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Sam,

Thanks for the link. That is some great information and thanks to all of you for the great input. I have a vintage Sargent plane due here any day and am looking forward to Garrett Hack’s book that I ordered. I can see that whatever free time I do have is going to tied up in vintage tool research for a while. It’s almost like a fever.

Mart

Mart,
This is a good place to find out hand tool information
The Index of Fossil-Fuel-Friendly Woodworking Knowledge
http://www.cianperez.com/Wood/WoodDocs/Wood_How_To/INDEX_How_To.htm
When hand tools are sharp they are a joy to work with, learn to sharpen and tune them up.
Mike

-- mike, www.schoolofwood.com

mart,

If I may, I would like to suggest Hand Tools Their Ways and Workings by Aldren A. Watson. Almost every major woodworking hand tool used in the latter part of the 19th century through the 20th is covered. This is a no-nonsense guide on usage and it’s illustrated beautifully with pencil drawings by the author. 450 of them to be exact.

I’m a ‘hybrid’ or ‘blended’ woodworker who is forced to work in a basement in the winter where I cannot have power tools. Everything I’m doing now is sans electricity except what’s needed for the radio. This book has been a great learning guide as well as a reference when I pick up a new tool. Aldren will not let you down because he’s succinct yet knowledgeable. Best of all, he’s not selling anything (besides the book of course).

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Ekim and Jeff,

Thanks for the links. That Fossil Fuel Friendly site is some great info. Many gratitudes.

Mart