January 26, 201214 yr If you could break it down to percentages, what would you say is your hand tool usage verses machinery. How often do you reach for that No. 4 smoother rather then take it straight to the planer?Do you enjoy the sweet sounding whistle of that table saw ripping your wood to tolerance?Or do you prefer to go "Cowboy" on it and take a hand saw to your panel to cut to shape and plane it to refinement.How about drilling, the brace or the gun?Dovetails, the templates or the gents saw?I am curious is all. Thanks to all who participate in advance.John Morris The Patriot Woodworker
January 26, 201214 yr I have very few hand tools other than a couple of saws, files and the like. Most everything is done with a power tool.Harry BrinkBulldog WoodworkingMontana
January 26, 201214 yr Author Speaking of power tools Harry, you get a chance to use that ol Woodcraft Gift Card yet!Harry Brink said:I have very few hand tools other than a couple of saws, files and the like. Most everything is done with a power tool.Harry BrinkBulldog WoodworkingMontanaJohn MorrisThe Patriot WoodworkerProud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops
January 26, 201214 yr  About 40% hand toolLots of cutting to do? i flip the "On" switch.   Little cutting to do?  grab a saw.Drilling, BTDT with a brace &bit, I'll stay with a powered drillMortise & tenons:   I chop mortises, I tablesaw tenonsI use both a powered planer AND a handplane( FOUR of them)I also use a piece of glass as a "card scraper'Driving screws; sometimes a hand-powered one works better, other times it's the makita.Dovetails: i have the templates handy for the router, I will also hand-cut as needed.'and may the road raise up to meet ye'
January 27, 201214 yr I am a power tool person. I do have some hand tools and would like to use them more.John MoodyJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
January 29, 201214 yr Guess I'm like John Moody, I a power tools user. Although I do have several hand scrapers, last count 6 hand planes, 2 sets of wood chisels. I do use the scrapes and chisel. Hand planes never yet been able to get the hang of using them, But do get them out every now and then and practice.Wayne EWayne E
January 29, 201214 yr While I have a number of hand planes, the only one that I really use is a Lie Nielsen block plane which I really like. I also have some decent chisels which see regular use. I have some old cabinet scrapers which I use once in awhile. But all of these are in need of sharpening so I need to break out my Work Sharpe 3000. But when I do that I will have to build a stand with some storage for it and the wheels and paper. So yet another project that I have to do before I can do other projects. Talk about a vicious circle. Allen WorshamCorona, CAallenworsham@earthlink.nethttp://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee
February 1, 201214 yr It's gotta be in the mid to upper 90% range for power tools with me. I do use hand tools, but only when I can't easily figure out to use a power tools for the same job. An exception to that (maybe) is hand planes, I use them fairly regularly, but only for flushing/trimming etc. My boards all go through the jointer and planer to get flattened and smoothed.No Ref
February 4, 201214 yr Author Looks like amongst those who use hand tools mostly it's the Hand Plane! Folks seem to reach for it more then anything in the shop when it comes to hand tools. Flushing, trimming, and taking out that bump in the road.Next I guess would be chisels.I am about 50/50 right now. And the ratio on the hand tools side is getting bigger and bigger. I am finding more fun with quiet. Actually, too quiet! I have not been able to do anything for the last few weeks, I am going crazy!John MorrisThe Patriot WoodworkerProud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops
February 20, 201214 yr I really like the feel and sounds of the hand planes and chisels. There's somethig organically pleasing about it.It's sort of like that gorgeous gentle look, glow, and sound of a fire burning low next to me while I'm reading a book.Which is not to say I don't enjoy the instant gratification I get from my tailed devils.
February 20, 201214 yr Author Now that's funny SQSQ said: There are tools without electrical cords? SQ Happiness is wood chips flying! John MorrisThe Patriot WoodworkerProud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops
February 20, 201214 yr Author I am getting there more and more Cliff. I like the sound of my Blue Grass music in the shop over power tools! I am seriously considering on my next solid wood project going cowboy on it with a rip saw to rip down my lumber. One more move away from power. Hopefully by the time I retire, the kids are on with their own life, and my wife and I are living off the grid in a mountain home somewhere, I'll be almost fully converted to hand tools. I don't think however I'll be able to get completely away from the table saw however!Cliff R said:I really like the feel and sounds of the hand planes and chisels. There's somethig organically pleasing about it.It's sort of like that gorgeous gentle look, glow, and sound of a fire burning low next to me while I'm reading a book.Which is not to say I don't enjoy the instant gratification I get from my tailed devils.John MorrisThe Patriot WoodworkerProud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops
February 20, 201214 yr and my wife and I are living off the grid in a mountain home Sounds nice.  Have you looked into Chernov style double bell stoves?  More heat, more reliable, more beautiful, more flexible, and more permanent than the rocket thermal mass mass stove. And you build 'em yourself to suit your needs.
February 23, 201214 yr I also listen to music while i work. I am certainly a hand tool enthusiast and use them in 90% of my work. I do own a powered lathe but I would love to build a treadle lather like Roy Underhill uses. I keep a junky bandsaw for resawing and long rips. And I use a router to make mouldings. A new set of hollows and rounds is about $3000. Adam WelkerRed Car Construction and Fine Woodworking
February 23, 201214 yr Author Well we are not off the grid yet Cliff! We still got a few years to plan. But no I have not looked into those stoves, I have so much to do, and a whole lotta time to do it in when it comes to planning our retirement. I'll probably be regretting that statement as this next decade fly's by! I'll have retirement knocking on our door in no time right?Cliff said:and my wife and I are living off the grid in a mountain home Sounds nice. Have you looked into Chernov style double bell stoves?  More heat, more reliable, more beautiful, more flexible, and more permanent than the rocket thermal mass mass stove. And you build 'em yourself to suit your needs.John MorrisThe Patriot WoodworkerProud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops
February 23, 201214 yr Author Music and hand tools, no other music needed!Adam Welker said:I also listen to music while i work. I am certainly a hand tool enthusiast and use them in 90% of my work. I do own a powered lathe but I would love to build a treadle lather like Roy Underhill uses. I keep a junky bandsaw for resawing and long rips. And I use a router to make mouldings. A new set of hollows and rounds is about $3000. Adam WelkerRed Car Construction and Fine WoodworkingJohn MorrisThe Patriot WoodworkerProud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops
February 23, 201214 yr Amen John Morris said:Music and hand tools, no other music needed!Adam Welker said: John MorrisThe Patriot WoodworkerProud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops
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