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Hand Tool Posts

Understand Your Hand Tools – Improve Your Woodworking

Hand tools are the core of what we do and how we build.
There’s many ways to approach your woodworking, but I’ve always believed that a minimal tool kit is the best.

Fewer tools means we  get to understand each one that bit better. We learn how they work, and build up skill with less confusion.
And in all honesty, woodworking by hand is simple. So you really can be minimal.

Below you’ll find all our posts on hand tools.
From saws to hand planes, & drills to marking tools.

There’s thoughts on buying, videos on setting up, and ideas for building you own…


Which Saws Are Best For Ripping Thick Stuff? [Video]

December 14, 2022 By Richard Maguire 14 Comments

What hand saw is best for ripping?

There's a lot of choice when it comes to rip saws. And unfortunately options usually just make things more complicated.So hopefully the video above will help clear up some of the confusion around which saw to reach for or at least give you something to think about when you've got a lot of ripping … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Hand Tools, Free Videos, Sawing, Woodworking Hand Tools

My Posh Fillister Plane is Just a Roughing Tool

September 2, 2022 By Richard Maguire 8 Comments

Fillister plane for accurate breadboard ends

Every now and then I feel like I see something with new eyes. I’m often blow away at the beauty of say the sea, or the sky with a pretty sunrise. It's as though my brain has had a system reset and deleted its memory so I get to see it again like it's for the first time.  Imagine if you could … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hand Planing, Woodworking Hand Tools, Woodworking Joints

Quick Homemade Clamps – Small & Large [with video]

August 26, 2022 By Richard Maguire 6 Comments

Make your own woodworking clamps

In this post I share my favourite design for homemade clamps. They can be made really large or really small to suit your needs. Further down we also include a short video segment from our latest series where I explain further how the clamps work. I've just been sitting staring into the bottom of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Free Videos, Woodworking Hand Tools

Perfect Mortice Walls – With A Router Plane

January 28, 2022 By Richard Maguire 16 Comments

Cut mortice walls with a router plane

[Video Post] The router plane is one of those rare tools that seems to always be in my hand despite not really being an essential in my minimal tool kit.In doesn't quite have the versatility of a chisel which can pretty much come in for anything. But when it does suit a job it offers precision … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Free Videos, Woodworking Hand Tools, Woodworking Joints

Simple Straight Edges

March 1, 2019 By Richard Maguire 15 Comments

homemade straight edge flattening board

Many of you have pointed out my shoddy array of straight-ish, straight edges. I'm often asked if there's a reason why I favour these home made things over something more posh. This is one of those questions where I really wish I had a good answer. I don’t, but I'll still cobble one together … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Woodworking Hand Tools

Second Hand Jointers – Hand Plane Buying Tips

September 21, 2018 By Richard Maguire 23 Comments

Home made Wooden Jointer Plane

I’m always going on about how much I love a minimal tool kit, but in this post I’m going to rant on a bit, and give you a few pointers if you feel limited by the length of your hand plane. A Number 5, or Jack plane, will comfortably see you through most jobs, but as you get more experienced or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Hand Tools, Hand Planing, Woodworking Hand Tools

Used Hand Tools – What’s Worth Buying Old?

June 7, 2018 By Richard Maguire 37 Comments

used woodworking hand tools

I truly believe that most people quit woodworking because they don't ever get started. Obsessing over the perfect workbench and buying too many used hand tools can lead to this problem. You should dedicate a weekend to build your workbench. Get it done and stop over thinking. And then another … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Hand Tools, Woodworking Hand Tools

Saw Horses – Do You Need A Set?

May 4, 2018 By Richard Maguire 24 Comments

wooden saw horses

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 of art will depend on how … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Make Your Own Tools, Sawing

Which Hand Tools Do I Need To Get Started?

April 26, 2018 By Richard Maguire 88 Comments

essential woodworking hand tools

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 woodworking. It’s an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Hand Tools, Woodworking Hand Tools

Choosing The Best Mallet

April 3, 2018 By Richard Maguire 28 Comments

thor mallet for woodworking

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 hard you hit it, nowt … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Hand Tools, Woodworking Hand Tools

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