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…
I've been standing on top of my workbench again. Strangely I'm up there quite a lot. Sometimes I just lay on there... and think. I've been a long time obsessive of Japanese woodworking. I find it truly fascinating and have promised myself if I make it to retirement,...
Despite writing my sensual spiel about the whys of the bandsaw, I haven't actually used it since closing the workbench business. That's because I discovered the frame saw (that thing that the savages use). Prior to four months ago, the most experience I had with one...
We don't do many reviews. That's because I'm human and that makes me biased. But sometimes, something comes along that's quite special, it's then that I find it hard to shut up. I discovered this hand plane when looking at commercially made frame saw blades for some...
My most well used tools are like mates; I accept them warts and all, and they're dependable without needing to be pampered. I'm careful not to cross the line though, and some job's around our building site of a home would be plain abuse of a good friendship. For those...
Since ranting about using the cap iron for dealing with tear out, the question 'why do you only use it when smoothing?' comes up a lot. This question is best answered by me asking you to go and do something. Go and set your hand plane up to take a shaving with the cap...
I doubt that any two tool kits are the same. They're brought together in such an individual and accidental way, and with so many varieties of tool, the probability of any two collections matching exactly must be infinitely small. My tools for example are a fairly ugly...
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KpbIG5emVA] UPDATE - The Full Build Is Now Available! CLICK for details. What You'll Need If you plan to build along with us then here's what you'll need to follow the same Jack Plane design: Iron - I'm using a Hock blade...
Anyone used to using machines or power tools can be surprised at just how quickly a joint can be banged out by hand. There might not be any motors, but there are many tasks which can be completed well before you would have had time to find the bits and set up a...
When I decided to start woodworking I chose do it with wooden planes. Perhaps this was heavily influenced by what Richard felt would be a good route to take, but also because I've always felt a great attraction towards them. Setting up a wooden hand plane is...
Today I want to talk about basic hand tools, which are new, cheap and practical. There's been a huge interest in the second hand tool market in recent years. Second hand prices are variable, but on the whole they're popular because they're cheap. Cheap is an awful...
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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...
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...
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...