The English Woodworker

Learn Woodworking Online

  • Blog
    • Video Posts
    • Hand Tools
    • Techniques
    • Workbenches
    • All Posts
  • The Videos
    • The Nest of Tables
    • Build A Danish Stool
    • The Trestle Table
    • The Industrial Desk
    • Build A Retro Sideboard – Online Video Series
    • Build A French Workbench
    • The Raw Edge Coffee Table
    • Chair Building – The Basics.
    • Build A Hall Table
    • Get Sharp – Sharpening Edge Tools
    • The Side Table & Bridle Guides
    • How To Build A Workbench – Online Video Series
    • The Spoon Rack – Hand Tool Course
  • About Us
  • Gallery
  • LOGIN

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…


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

Drill Bits For Hand Drills

January 22, 2018 By Richard Maguire 33 Comments

best drill bits for hand drills

I'm always whinging about something. So the thing this blog is good for is that someone always has an answer. And it shuts me straight up. When I was moaning about drill bits in the marking knife post, we got plenty of suggestions for bits that you find overcome my problem. You weren't … [Read more...]

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

Dead Expensive Dovetail Saws…

December 15, 2017 By Richard Maguire 29 Comments

... and why you need one. Most of you will know that the vast majority of my tools are what I would call good quality 'workman like' tools. I have a few modern posh things, but they're not in daily use. It's nothing against them, but my old friends are like comfy old work boots. They let in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Hand Tools, Woodworking Hand Tools

Tools That Need No Box

November 7, 2017 By Richard Maguire 24 Comments

I don't know if this is just me. Whenever I have a jolly good tidy up, I find there's the same old handful of tools, and odds and sods that I don't bother to put away. This is because if I put them away, I'd get them straight back out... again. Off the top of my head, these are things like … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Woodworking Hand Tools

  • Blog
  • The Videos
  • Sign Up!
  • Contact Us
  • Keep Up To Date
  • LOGIN
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 7
  • Next Page »
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • YouTube
More Categories
  • Buying Hand Tools
  • Make Your Own Tools
  • Sharpening
  • Hand Planing
  • SEE ALL CATEGORIES

  • Blog
  • The Videos
  • Sign Up!
  • Contact Us
  • Keep Up To Date
  • LOGIN
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2022 · The English Woodworker

Scroll Up