Handtools seem to evoke thoughts of neanderthals who just won't move into the future of power tools, but there is much more than that involved.
Most of us have handtools around (ie. chisels, handplane, handsaw, etc.) that were either handed down to us or bought for, or by, us in hopes of evoking some skill to build projects that we have always wanted. We have all, at one time or another, had visions of a piece of heirloom furniture, adirondack chairs, a picnic set, or something else that we could stand over proudly and claim as our own handwork. Hand tools were the gateway to that dream, but as soon as we attempted using them, we dreamed of owning power tools so that we could build the next project that came along from Norm on the New Yankee Workshop. Power tools were the future and the bigger, the better. After making the lawn furniture type of projects, we wanted to move on to a cabinet, chest, table or some other sort of a finer type furniture. These projects can be built using mostly power tools, but finishing them off right required the use of handtools. Chamfers were used to set screws, flush cut hand saws for trimming off the tops of plugs, block planes were used for cleaning corners. Other tools can be used for these jobs, but they are not as quick as using the above mentioned tools when in a skilled hand.
Which leads me back to the reason that I'm writing this, usage of handtools. how many of us have really tried to learn how to use, sharpen and properly care for our hand tools. The usage part takes less time learning than one might think, practice is what it's all about, practice makes perfect. Sharpening is a skill all in it's own, but with tools such as the Worksharp 3000 and it's counterparts having come along it's much easier, with a much shorter learning curve. This allows us more time to practice. Eventually it will become second nature, like riding a bike, and your hands will know what to do without having to use much thought. Now comes caring for your tools, this should be second nature, since we all upkeep and care for our power tools, right ? Well if you don't you should :gar-La;.
Hand tools can change your way of thinking about woodworking, they will truly empower you. You won't have to stay in your shop all of the time since hantools are truly portable. You can enjoy the outdoors on some days and even do some woodworking for relaxation when away from home. It starts with the basics of using a block plane and moving on to #'s 4-7, shaving off curls with a standard chisel to carving with many different syles, crosscutting with a handsaw to making tenons and dovetails by hand. Hand tools are not as expensive as people think, you do not need Lie-Nielsen or Clifton planes, Two Cherries chisels, or Wenzloff saws. Antique furniture, which has lasted for hundreds of years, were made with tools that are truly subpar by todays standards.
Don't be afraid to dive in and learn new hand tool skills, it's actually much easier to do than learning computer skills, DAMHIKT :gar-La;.
Calling handtool users neanderthals, referring to their lack of wanting to use power tools and move forward would be ridiculous if you don't want to move forward and learn new skills. People not wanting to learn a the true "Neanders" . Use a smoothing plane and make thin wisps of wood curls, or complete your first set of dovetails and then tell me how you feel about hand tools.
Ending this post, I would like to hear what others feel about hand tool usage. Are you for, against, or just too scared :mrgreen: to try them out ?
Most of us have handtools around (ie. chisels, handplane, handsaw, etc.) that were either handed down to us or bought for, or by, us in hopes of evoking some skill to build projects that we have always wanted. We have all, at one time or another, had visions of a piece of heirloom furniture, adirondack chairs, a picnic set, or something else that we could stand over proudly and claim as our own handwork. Hand tools were the gateway to that dream, but as soon as we attempted using them, we dreamed of owning power tools so that we could build the next project that came along from Norm on the New Yankee Workshop. Power tools were the future and the bigger, the better. After making the lawn furniture type of projects, we wanted to move on to a cabinet, chest, table or some other sort of a finer type furniture. These projects can be built using mostly power tools, but finishing them off right required the use of handtools. Chamfers were used to set screws, flush cut hand saws for trimming off the tops of plugs, block planes were used for cleaning corners. Other tools can be used for these jobs, but they are not as quick as using the above mentioned tools when in a skilled hand.
Which leads me back to the reason that I'm writing this, usage of handtools. how many of us have really tried to learn how to use, sharpen and properly care for our hand tools. The usage part takes less time learning than one might think, practice is what it's all about, practice makes perfect. Sharpening is a skill all in it's own, but with tools such as the Worksharp 3000 and it's counterparts having come along it's much easier, with a much shorter learning curve. This allows us more time to practice. Eventually it will become second nature, like riding a bike, and your hands will know what to do without having to use much thought. Now comes caring for your tools, this should be second nature, since we all upkeep and care for our power tools, right ? Well if you don't you should :gar-La;.
Hand tools can change your way of thinking about woodworking, they will truly empower you. You won't have to stay in your shop all of the time since hantools are truly portable. You can enjoy the outdoors on some days and even do some woodworking for relaxation when away from home. It starts with the basics of using a block plane and moving on to #'s 4-7, shaving off curls with a standard chisel to carving with many different syles, crosscutting with a handsaw to making tenons and dovetails by hand. Hand tools are not as expensive as people think, you do not need Lie-Nielsen or Clifton planes, Two Cherries chisels, or Wenzloff saws. Antique furniture, which has lasted for hundreds of years, were made with tools that are truly subpar by todays standards.
Don't be afraid to dive in and learn new hand tool skills, it's actually much easier to do than learning computer skills, DAMHIKT :gar-La;.
Calling handtool users neanderthals, referring to their lack of wanting to use power tools and move forward would be ridiculous if you don't want to move forward and learn new skills. People not wanting to learn a the true "Neanders" . Use a smoothing plane and make thin wisps of wood curls, or complete your first set of dovetails and then tell me how you feel about hand tools.
Ending this post, I would like to hear what others feel about hand tool usage. Are you for, against, or just too scared :mrgreen: to try them out ?
