Product Description

Hand tools (tools that are not powered, such as hammers and chisels) are currently the hot trend in woodworking purchases.

Hand tools require specialized training. Without it, the experience will be disappointing.

Learning to use woodworking hand tools properly makes it easier to understand how power tools work, plus they offer a quieter, safer and more pleasant woodworking experience. This book shows the woodworker how hand tools can be used in tandem with their power tools to produce superior work, improving and enriching their woodworking experience. Readers will learn to use mallets, chisels & gouges, wood- and metal-bodied planes, wood- and metal-bodied spokeshaves, measuring and marking tools, rasps, awls, Eastern and Western handsaws and other hand tool accessories.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #72650 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

Terrific book
In summary, this is just a terrific book. Unlike the other reviewer, I did NOT contribute any articles to it, and hence can be considered unbiased.

The book is actually a collection of articles, the primary emphasis of which is on the basics of tool preparation, and in particular on edge tools. I think this is appropriate since poorly set up and mis-sharpened tools are virtually impossible to work with. Thus, mastering the basics of tool preparation is a pre-requisite to successful and enjoyable woodworking just as mastering the basics of "blocking and tackling" is necessary for a successful football team.

The book typically offers different viewpoints by different authors -- numerous approaches to sharpening edge tools are covered, for example. Again, this seems appropriate since it gives the newcomer to the hobby a variety of different approaches with different entry-dollar requirements to choose from.

I particularly liked the detailed instructions on how to make and use certain fairly basic tools---the article on drawboring, for example, was just superb. On top of all this, the book concludes with several really first-rate projects: an arts and crafts tool cabinet, a workbench, and a sawbench that I really like. I'm actually planning on building all three projects, and I can't remember when I last saw even a single published project that I wished to build.

This is probably the best single book on hand tools you can buy. If you're just starting out, get this first---it'll save you lots of time and trouble. The more experienced woodworker will also find some very useful stuff in here.

My only complaint is that I wish the book had had more material on saws and more material on tool making. But then it would be a different book, wouldn't it?

Impressive collection of information
Knowing that this was basically just a collection of Popular Woodworking articles, I was prepared to be underwelmed. Talk about disappointment! I HATE being wrong like this! In short, this is a truly impressive collection of information that looks more like a group of knowledgable hand tool experts put together, rather than just articles grabbed and put together in a book form.

The book is laid out in a logical way, starting with a "Why Handtools" section, going into sharpening (a must for any hand tool user), then saws, chisels, and the like. The last section are a couple of projects that blend hand tools and power tools well, and that will serve any workshop well for years to come. Honestly, the beautiful tool cabinet of Christopher Schwarz's is worth the cost of the book by itself!

This is a must have for, I believe, any woodworker. There's no preaching about hand tool supremacy, nor any reference to "quaint" ideas of woodworking. Instead, this book offers the modern woodwork a glimpse of the realms where hand tools still excel, and how they can be incorporated into the modern workshop. At the same time, it shows how a hand tool only shop can still produce quality work equal to that of the powered shop.

Get up to speed with Hand Tools
I contributed 4 articles to this book. When I signed the form, I wasn't sure which 4 or what sort of book would result! I just got my copy and I'm thrilled with it.

The editor, David Thiel, is an expert woodworker and author. My articles aside, he didn't choose esoteric stuff that you'll never do. There are many articles on sharpening, articles on chisels, saws, and planes (the big three!). There's an article on outfitting your shop on a budget, and plans for Chris Schwarz' "French" workbench.

There are no "filler" articles or driftwood Santa carving articles. Thiel chose articles that will bring the reader up to speed on the latest hand tools and techniques. If you want to learn how to get the most from your chisels or learn what Master David Charlesworth's "Ruler Trick" is all about, you'll find it here.

What you won't find is concensus view. And you may even find some contradictory or controversial views. But that's where we are with hand tools. You get to sort it out.

Woodworkers are always asking me for good introductory books on working wood by hand. Now I have an answer for them. I think this is a must read.

Adam Cherubini