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Buying Hand Tools

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

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

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 30 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

The Best Woodworking Marking Knife

November 2, 2017 By Richard Maguire 40 Comments

strong marking knife

  All my tools are fairly rough and basic. I've never had much bother finding tools that work, although two things have always troubled me. The first; finding drill bits that don't rag out the work in slow hand powered drills. And finding a good marking knife. The drill bit hunt … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Hand Tools, Woodworking Hand Tools

Chisels For Dovetailing

November 4, 2016 By Richard Maguire 18 Comments

Removing waste with a fine dovetail chisel

No matter how quick and functional a build may be in everything we make, we should be aiming at clean, tight joints. I don't like excuses for shoddy joinery. For the most part my Marples bevel edge chisels are up to this task. But some joints demand a bit more refinement and more importantly, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Hand Tools, Woodworking Hand Tools

Chisels For All Needs (Almost)

October 28, 2016 By Richard Maguire 18 Comments

Chisels are a simple tool. Simple but useful. For hand tool woodworking, we really can't be without them, so your skills with a chisel should be built up early. But which chisels do you need? Traditionally, there was a different chisel for just about every job. But like a lot of areas with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Hand Tools, Woodworking Hand Tools

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