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The Hand Tool Approach

Blood In The Workshop

April 9, 2015 By Richard Maguire 30 Comments

There's rarely anything fun about a woodworking injury, and yet when I make videos about using hand tools I don't feel the need to put up a big disclaimer about keeping safe. I don't feel irresponsible for a lack of this but it is certainly a subject worth writing about. Injuries from hand tools … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach

Out Lives It’s Favour

October 28, 2014 By Richard Maguire 20 Comments

As woodworkers I'm sure that we all see furniture purchasing in a different light to most. There's nothing that makes sense less than knowing that people are happy to spend on a rickety flat pack which won't last two minutes, but can't justify spending for a solid, well made piece which could last … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture, Hand Tool Approach

Planing Wood By Hand – Rough Prepping

March 17, 2014 By Richard Maguire 26 Comments

Thicknessing with hand planes might seem like a slog. It's certainly physical work, and if there's a lot of boards to thickness, then it could soon become a workout. But with the right technique, planing wood by hand should feel more like a nice brisk walk, than an uphill … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Planing, Hand Tool Approach, Woodworking Techniques

They All Bite!

October 25, 2013 By Richard Maguire 18 Comments

I'm not one to talk about safety often because I don't like to come across as patronising. I noticed recently though just how many cheaply made machines have become available for 'DIY' and I thought I'd have a moan - I will try to keep this short and sweet! I'd seen 'table saws' for sale as low … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach

The Perfectionist In Me

October 22, 2013 By Richard Maguire 15 Comments

If I was ever able to take a woodworking course I'd have to do it with David Charlesworth. That may seem like a bit of a shock given my rather simple and fast paced approach seen in my videos but the truth is I'm a perfectionist at heart. After my apprenticeship the leash was released and I was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach, Lifestyle Posts

The Power Tool I Love

October 17, 2013 By Richard Maguire 15 Comments

After establishing that I don't hate power tools I wanted to give an extra bit of praise to the one tool I feel I really wouldn't want to be without; the cordless drill. I still love my bit and brace and appreciate the control and feedback that it can give me, which I find essential in some cases. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach

I Don’t Hate Power Tools

October 11, 2013 By Richard Maguire 39 Comments

Despite being a die hard hand tool user there's nothing that irritates me more than hearing people try to class hand tool use as being superior. The reason I bring this up is because whilst taking a jimmy riddle at a recent show I heard "You're the chap who hates power tools?". I've been told … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach

Moving With The Times?

October 3, 2013 By Richard Maguire 13 Comments

When I was younger I did a stint working on new builds, doing truss roofs with my old man. I learnt a lot through the process; things about wood, things about building, and more than I could hope to know about my Dad. Another thing which I learnt could only be appreciated on reflection... When I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach, Lifestyle Posts

Tool Tales

September 13, 2013 By Richard Maguire 15 Comments

"It's not bodge... it's character!" - an old geriatric work mate used to say to me. And I felt this come to mind as I built my tool chest last weekend. I knew it would be nothing fancy since it was pretty much built as the hand tool equivalent of banging some boards straight through the thicknesser … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach

Where To Sit The Bench?

August 28, 2013 By Richard Maguire 23 Comments

It seems to be normal practice to sit a workbench against a wall and this is something I've often done myself. But having worked in many different layouts I now tend to favour bringing the workbench right out away from the wall instead. In a small workshop this can feel like a huge waste of space … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Tool Approach

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