Most people know little about woodworking using hand tools. This may be completely new to you if you are a modern day woodworker.Some woodworkers avoid old tools at all costs. They think that they are outdated, less accurate and slower than the modern day machines. This simply is not true in most cases. This article will provide you with some facts about using planes and saws in your every day wood working projects.
Hand tools are safer. This is a major reason to consider using them. Woodworking machines with their sharp blades move pretty fast. You can have an accident and lose a finger or hand before you know what happened. You can be as careful as you can be but it only takes one small slip and you are off to the hospital or worse. Working by hand can get you hurt but the injury is normally not as severe. When you are operating the tool you usually have more reaction time to stop before it gets out of hand.
You can use a smaller work area. Table saws and planers take up a lot of room. It physically takes more space to operate your home shop with machines. Starting out by hand you can start in the corner of your garage and be just fine.
Hand tools are in some cases faster than machines. You may find that hard to believe but sometimes it is a lot faster. Sure if you are cutting out one thousand boards for a wood factory you cannot touch that by hand. However for the guy at home doing one single project by the time you set up your machine, adjust the fence and make a test cut you will be done and going on to the next step by using old fashioned tools.
It costs less to get started woodworking. Starting out with woodworking machines that are of any quality cost a lot of money. Even though you can spend plenty on high quality planes and saws the fact is you can start with a few tools and get your project done without breaking the bank.
Hand tools make less noise. This is one reason I choose to use to use these tools. There is something to be said about planning a board and hearing the blade smoothing the wood.
Achieve greater precision. Early on when using my table saw it was very easy to cut a little too much off my project. I have thrown away many a good-looking piece of wood because of some small mistake. When I use my hand saw it is much easier to sneak up on my mark and not overdo it.
I choose to use work by hand as much as I can. For myself it is a more sensible way to work with wood. The best system for most would be some sort of combination of the old and the new. Woodworking using hand tools is hard work. The rewards are worth it for me.
Douglas Taylor
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/why-i-do-my-woodworking-using-hand-tools-101956.html
April 2nd, 2009 at 6:48 pm
What tools should I take to a beginners woodworking class?
This is the class description:
Students taking this class will work on a pre-selected project using either hand tools and/or small power tools. The project will include most phases of woodworking skills: cutting, gluing, sanding and assembly. Materials for this project will be furnished, however, students are encouraged to bring their own power or hand tools to use.
Any suggestions?
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Without knowing the size of the project, it is difficult to know the range of tools needed. But I would suggest you take the basics, like : a hand saw, wood chisels (1/2" to 1"), hammer or wooden mallet, ruler, square, sanding block (with medium sandpaper - 120G), a pair of wood clamps, pencil. If you have a small power drill, take it too, with some drill bits. Hope this helps. Good luck!! Oh, I nearly forgot. Do you have a plane? Not the one that flies. The one that shaves timber. If so, take it too !!!
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April 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 pm
That would depend on how well the shop is equipped with shop tools and hand tools. Start by bringing a good apron, tape measure and pencil. If you are serious about woodworking in the future you'll want your own tools because you won't be able to use THEIR tools and shop forever. I do a lot of woodworking in my small garage. I started out slowly and over the course of a few years have 90% of everything I need. The best investment I made was the Ridgid portable table saw and portable sliding compound miter saw which cost me about $500. each, but have already paid for themselves over and over again. I also have lots of portable drills, circular saws and belt sanders. Because I also do remodeling of other people's homes, I own some pneunamatic nailers and power tools and a good air compressor to power them. Good Luck
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Past experiences in construction trades