Hand Tools?

[Haynie]

Okay. I spent the last couple months finding, cleaning, and repairing big power tools my Father-in-law had spread around the place. Last night I realized that, as a marine mechanic, my father-in-law has a serious lack of woodworking hand tools.

Mechanic tools he had loads of. So, between his and my tools I have serious holes in the hand tool department. Then I realized that I do not even know what I needed. Since I suffer from lack-o-fundacitis purchases need to be well thought out. Here is my list of what I feel I need to make boxes (not on the lathe) and would like some input.

Chisels (I assume not the Ace Hardware Variety?)
Dovetail Saw (Is there a big difference between the japanese style and the more western version?)

Scapers

Hand Planes (what sizes good to have on hand and can someone explain quality differences)

Any other hand tool you could not live without?

 

[Russianwolf]

Chisels. Marples are my go to set. great value.

Planes. #5 or #6 if you only have one. Veritas from Lee Valley are very good, but a cleaned and trued Vintage Stanley is almost as good. I have a #5, and a #7 Stanley myself.

Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke and have a thinner kerf. Both styles should cut very cleanly. I prefer the Japanese versions, but its just MY preference.

 

[Andrew_K99]

Wow, you're opening a can of worms!

I am converting to hand tools from power tools for flat work.

It'll all depend on how much you want to do with only hand tools and what you want to build.

A great book (IMO) is 'The Anarchist's Tool Chest' by Christopher Schwarz. It covers all the essential hand tools you will need to build furiture and explains how you should pick them without telling you brand X.

Andrew

 

[bitshird]

+1 on the Japanese style pull saws.

 

[Lenny]

Mike must have bought his Marples chisels when I did (when they were still high quality) now they are junk!
These were given a best buy by Fine Woodworking awhile back and I don't think you can beat them for the price! ...
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/narex-chisel-set-4.aspx

The Japenese saws are very good ... I like this one but would by it with just the fine tooth blade if I had the option...
http://www.amazon.com/Tajima-JPR-SE...LNSA/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1320874422&sr=8-8

I wouldn't want to be without my Starrett combination squares! (6" and 12") I got mine from a co-worker who works in an antique tool shop on the weekends. Sometimes .... (often times) ... older IS BETTER!

 

[TerryDowning]

As for planes,
a block plane is essential and by far my most used.
a smooth plane for finishing off that board and making it flat and well, smooth.
a Jack plane is in between a smooth and a jointer and my second most used. You can do edges jointing with them and if tuned properly, you can do smoothing work.
a Jointer plane is for edge jointing, these are the big ones you often see. They are long in order to ensure the edge of a board is true.

There is also the fore plane more rare, larger than a jack, smaller than a jointer, many people do not like them (too big for smoothing work, too small for accurate jointing). I have one because it was my grandfather's and he didn't want to lug around a big old jointer plane when he was doing carpentry work.

All of my planes are vintage and restored. Miller's Falls Block and smooth planes, Stanley block, Jack, Fore and Jointer plane. They were all hand me downs from both of my Grand Fathers, through my Father, to me. They are old but they work great once I restored them and sharpened them.

As for chisels. I like my Miller's Falls bench set (Circa 1950's Sometimes older is better) I also have a set of cheapy Stanleys for doing dirty work I'd rather not expose my nicer chisels to.

If you are investing in chisels and planes then make sure you have a good set of sharpening stones (oil or water) if the tool isn't sharp it's worthless.

I use a Sheffield convertible flush cut saw for dovetails. Great little saw for dovetailing and the handle flips so it can do flush cuts from either direction.

I also have several plain old fashioned hand saws back, rip and crosscut. These are also vintage hand me downs. I find these incredibly useful tools, very portable, cordless, and the batteries never wear out before I do.

Good luck on the migration to hand tools, I find them very satisfying to use.

Terry

 

[robersonjr]

Mr. Haynie, look at my shop pictures, there you will see every tool for woodworking you should have. Although I do believe I still need to expand my tool base and am currently working on that. Robbie

 

[D.Oliver]

Marples are sold at Menards now days. That should give you an idea of the quality.

 

[BKelley]

Chisels? I have a set of Sorby with the octogonal handles (Christmas present from wife) but my choice for a chisel would be E.A. Berg of Eskiltuna Sweden. They have been out of business for some years now, but appear on E-bay once in a while.

Ben

 

[Haynie]

Mr. Haynie, look at my shop pictures, there you will see every tool for woodworking you should have. Although I do believe I still need to expand my tool base and am currently working on that. Robbie

Now that is plain cruel. Been drooling over that shop since you posted. Feel like adopting me?

My grandfather was a successful farmer, and was a competent woodworker. When he died his tools sat in the shed because grandma was tired of hearing people "want". I think I was 10. When she passed I was about 30 and asked if anyone had any interest in grandpa's tools. My uncle said he threw them all away because they were old and worthless. If it is not new and shiny he has no use for it. I personally think he has them but that statement really ****ed me off. He also wanted to torch the old barn and could not see why anyone would want old wood. My very rich cousin saved it thank goodness.

The town I live in did not exist before 1950 something so not a lot of antique tools at yard sales but maybe I can find something online. I like the idea of using old tools. Goes with my really old cameras.

 

[robersonjr]

Any time, come on over.... well excet for Christmas I'll be with the kids in Yuma. Hope it isn't too cold there like it is here. Robbie

 

[Haynie]

Getting cold but not too bad. I'ld take you up on that visit but 600 miles is quite a long ways.

 

[robersonjr]

All in a days drive...well one way at least.

 

[Haynie]

Currently looking at the Highland Woodworking tool porn. A guy could get in trouble in that catalog.

I had no idea there was such a huge number of things to choose from.

 

[76winger]

Chisels. Marples are my go to set. great value.

Planes. #5 or #6 if you only have one. Veritas from Lee Valley are very good, but a cleaned and trued Vintage Stanley is almost as good. I have a #5, and a #7 Stanley myself.

Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke and have a thinner kerf. Both styles should cut very cleanly. I prefer the Japanese versions, but its just MY preference.

+1 on Mikes recommendations I've got almost the exact mix of those items in my minimalist hand tool collection.

For boxes the #7 plane would be overkill, but a #5 and a small block plane would be appropriate.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Japanese pull saw. You have better control over cutting the line where you want it using a pull stroke rather than pushing. I LOVE mine for almost everything. Did I mention I LOVE this saw?

Mainly have a few chisels in the sizes that work best for your work. 1/4, 1/2, 1 and 1 1/4 inch covers most of my needs.

The big thing for the chisels and the plane irons, is something to sharpen them with. There's a world of choices for this as well, everything from Arkansas and water stones to grinders and dedicated sharpening systems. I like doing myself with the aforementioned stones myself because it keeps the costs down and I hone my sharpening skills in the process.

 

[Andrew_K99]

Currently looking at the Highland Woodworking tool porn. A guy could get in trouble in that catalog.

I had no idea there was such a huge number of things to choose from.

As I said earlier you're opening a can of worms.

I once thought a block, smoother and jack plane would be all I need. I now have a #3 stanley, #4 stanely and Vertias BU smoother. A #5 stanley and Veritas BU jack plane. A stanely #8 jointer plane. A Veritas plow plane. A Veritas Rabbet plane. A Veritas small router plane. I still want a large shoulder plane, large router plane and a beading plane plus others.

Chisels are similar. I have an 11 pc. set of bevel edge chisels and a 6 pc. set of mortise chisels. There are a few specialty chisels that would be nice to have.

Saws are a whole topic on their own. I have 2 small dovetail saws, one rip and one cross cut. I have 2 medium carcass saws (rip/cross). I have a mitre box saw and about half dozen panel saws (rip/cross). Also a flush cut and a coping saw.

The tools you need will depend on what you want to do by hand and what material you are starting with. If you start with fully dress wood (either bought or dressed with your own jointer and planner) then there are tools you will never need. If you still intend you use your table saw and mitre saw for most of your cuts you need only a few hands saws for joinery. If you intend to use your power router for dovetails, rabbets, dados and profiles then you don't need many of the specialty planes or small saws.

Don't get too confused by all this though, you can cut your first dovetails with a $10 saw and a $5 chisel. If you thought pen turning was a slippery slope you better brace yourself for hand tools!!!

AK