To become efficient in anything I find it's much better to specialise rather than use one size fits all. So how can a minimal hand tool kit become anything other than a set up for getting you started? The answer is in understanding your cutting edge. We can use...
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Saw Horses – Do You Need A Set?
Saw horses are a clat to get out and I'll only use them if I have to (perhaps I'm lazy). But of course they are extremely useful, and it’s nice to know there’s a couple stashed away ready to grab if needed. Whether you need something cheap and nasty, or a sturdy work...
Which Hand Tools Do I Need To Get Started?
It’s a question that we’re asked weekly, and whilst I’m often babbling on about specific tools, I wanted to use this post to bring together a list of the essential stuff that will get a beginner going. You probably know that I like to use minimal tools throughout my...
The Route To A Profitable Workshop
For most of you time is not money when it comes to your workshop. But I will always stand by my belief that it could be. Small scale furniture making can be a profitable business, and as crazy as it sounds hand tools are the key. Single maker, small workshop, minimal...
Choosing The Best Face Vice
Recently I wrote a post about why you don't need a tail vice on your workbench. now we're looking at the other end of the bench and going through my favourite options when it comes to choosing a face vice. What Do We Want From A Workbench Vice? A face vice should be...
Want To Design, Can’t Draw?
Design is a balance between function and looks. It won't work if you focus too much on one and ignore the other. But if it involves both art and science, then surely design must be skill that only very few are capable of? The truth is, anyone can do design, and the...
Choosing The Best Mallet
I'm the most untraditional woodworker who came to traditional woodworking. I just can't stand wooden mallets. To get any sort of clump from them they have to be massive; these huge cumbersome things. And on top of that, they absorb everything. It doesn't matter how...
Chair Building Basics – New Video Series!
https://youtu.be/NBTqW5t3HGs In our latest series we learn how to build a chair. Chapter One is already live. This series can be purchased by Clicking Here. If you're already a Member then you may need to Login First. Chair building can require specialist tools...
Why Your Workbench Needs One Vice (Or Less)
A workbench is only a success if it can keep itself still and provide means to hold your work. A woodworking vice is not an essential feature of this. Typically though we can expect to see two vices on a workbench today. One will be installed on the front of the...
Removing Twist, Or Creating It?
Teaching and woodworking are two very separate skills. That's something I realised when we started making our videos. The big difference is, you can't work on auto pilot while you demonstrate. Everything has to be deliberate, almost exaggerated so it can be replicated...
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Hand Tools Make Machines Cheap
As you know, to become fast with hand tools you have to understand that perfection isn’t a thing. You need to learn where the inaccuracy can be hidden, and deliberately place it there. A good example of this, were those table legs in the hall table build. Getting them...
Completed Project – The Sideboard Build
Our Retro Sideboard build is now complete. If you're interested in this build then have a look at the full details here. Or you can Click Here to Buy Now This is an involved build, but it's broken down step-by-step. With Over 4 Hours of Footage, The Online Series...
Slightly Over The Top… Top
I was having a good old rummage through the timber store the other day and found an old off cut from a workbench top. It's from one that I made when I was building them for a living. I used to keep these off cuts and put them to the test. Sun exposure, damp, all that...