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 was thinking this morning whilst pluging down on the slightly broken handle of my pillar drill that I am always stood at this machine. It's a tool that I barely take account of and really didn't give any thought to it's quality or durability when I bought it as I'd...
It’s often said that a woodworker can never have enough clamps but this isn’t something I‘ve really considered to be true (Unless you build workbenches for a living!) . When it comes to buying clamps I could think of a lot more exciting things to be spending my money...
Wooden Hand Planes Might Be Old Tech, But They're Not Outdated I think for many people wooden planes bring nostalgia and a nice sense of tradition but don’t necessarily seem relevant to use today. We get used to a very different tool with metal planes, especially with...
I’ve never been fond of working out of a box, even if it’s a well organized one. Instead my hand tools are stored on the walls around me in a fairly simple but functional layout that keeps everything to hand. I find a tool box is excellent for storing, keeping your...
I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a new Veritas PM-V11 plane blade last year (the nice chaps at Veritas; Steve and Wally kindly dropped one at my bench at last years European Woodworking Show). That’s a rather technical name and Veritas describe it as an...
Don’t worry, I haven’t hit myself in the nuts or cut off a finger… but to some of you I’m sure this might seem far worse! For the past 4 or so years I’ve been using this hefty lump hammer as the sole ’mallet’ in my workshop. I always used a wooden mallet prior and my...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7qGISLyCDs&feature=youtu.be We had a great time at the recent European Woodworking show and have a few snippets to share with you over the coming weeks. My favourite moment was trying out an antique moulding plane brought along by...
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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...
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...
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,...