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The Hand Tool Approach

Simple Work Holding For Ploughing Grooves [Without a Tail Vice]

July 29, 2022 By Richard Maguire 5 Comments

Simple work holding without a tail vice

Sometimes the biggest challenge of a project can just be getting the wood to stay put while we try to work on it. I suppose it's why it's so easy for us to get lost in the hunt for a perfect workbench design. And drawn in towards all kinds of vice bling and fancy work holding … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach, Vices & Work Holding

Hand Tools Make Machines Cheap

March 19, 2020 By Richard Maguire 25 Comments

Felder planer thicknesser

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 perfectly square would have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach

The Perfect Hand Tool Workshop

January 30, 2019 By Richard Maguire 23 Comments

workshop for hand tool woodworking

Sadly I ain't one of those that can say he’s been in a generations old workshop all of his working life. There aren't tools still hung on the wall that my grandad put up, or boxes full of secrets who's keys were lost lifetimes ago. Instead I seem to move workshop like a Viking. I’ve never … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach

Look Forward & A Merry Christmas!

December 21, 2018 By Richard Maguire 44 Comments

beginners guide to hand tool woodworking

Next year is set to be very busy for us in terms of video projects, but we're also going to be starting out with something new, and tailoring our content to suit different skill levels. We're putting a more structured educational scheme together. It's something we've had in the pipeline for a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach, Premium Videos

What Makes You Tick?

September 25, 2018 By Richard Maguire 72 Comments

shavings woodworking by hand

Wood has always been in my life. My old man did it for a living. I always remember the sawdust in his pockets, and even when he got home, the forgotten pencil lodged behind his ear. He also had a massive moustache. It feels very strange when I stop to think. Apart from the tash, my pockets … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach

Rough Tools. Fine Furniture.

June 13, 2018 By Richard Maguire 21 Comments

learn woodworking online

When people meet me they see the unkempt facial hair and questionable mop on the back of my head and they can weigh me up pretty well. Then I start to speak and it's confirmed - this is definitely a pretty rough chap. And I'm not one to try and mystify or tart it up, I'll call a spade a spade. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach, Premium Videos

Ever Considered A Hollow Chisel Morticer?

May 25, 2018 By Richard Maguire 28 Comments

Wadkin Morticer

As noises go, there's nothing much worse than banging. About the only thing that's completed in my life at the moment is my workshop door. I spent far too much money to get it right. We focused on the acoustics to keep out the noisy world when filming, and put in some beautiful reflective glass … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach, Woodworking Joints

The Route To A Profitable Workshop

April 18, 2018 By Richard Maguire 21 Comments

how to become a furniture maker by hand

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 tools. It’s perfect for low … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach

Gappy Joints, For Speed & Strength

January 12, 2018 By Richard Maguire 33 Comments

Good chairs stay together forever if the chair maker understands what wood does. They know it will move, and use this to their advantage. Bone dry legs going into a slightly wetter seat. The seat drys over time, the legs take on a tad of moisture and everything stays tight. A good furniture maker … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach, Woodworking Joints

Efficiency In Marking

December 8, 2017 By Richard Maguire 19 Comments

I've said it many times (though I'm sure I'm on the wrong page). I believe that hand tools are the most efficient set up for the individual maker. And not just the hobbiest. If you're building one-off pieces for clients then hand tools are still where it's at. Most that would disagree lack … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach, Marking & Measuring

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