Shop Talker Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Hey all I Am really new to the hand tool woodworking world my experience is lacking in all accounts. What I am trying to figure out is what is in a hand tool shop. I know the bench is the heart of the shop but what other things are there like saw bench, jointer bench and that's where I'm stuck I don't know any of the other things. What other shop fixtures and tool benches or jigs make the work easier that would help me in my new found passion. thanks for all the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 In for learning as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Welcome to the forums! Suggest spending a couple days tripping thru youtube so you can understand what a loaded question you're asking. I don't say that to be a horses back side and certainly don't mean any disrespect. Being brand new tho, it may help you to understand fully what you're in for and how many variations are out there. Suggest checking out Roy Underhill, Chris Schwarz, and our very own Graham Haydon (you're welcome G) on youtube. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 I'm no hand tool expert but here are some basics that are needed in a hand tool shop, and pretty much every shop for that matter. The individual tools will depend on what you're looking to build, for instance you don't need a scorp or adze if you're not hollowing out chair seats and doing that kind of work. A LARGE WALLET - this gets expensive =) Measuring tools - rulers and such Combination Square - a good quality square is invaluable Crosscut saw - gotta cut your stuff to length when you build Rip saw - if you're going strictly hand tools you'll want it for ripping wood Hand planes - block plane, jack plane, scrub plane, jointing plane, smoothing plane. You've got a million choices here, but a block plane and jack or smoothing plane should definitely be in the mix Miter box - for making 90/45/etc cross cuts Dovetail saw - joinery is inevitable and a good dovetail or gents saw is a good option Chisels - This could get messy, there are all sorts of different kinds for different purposes Marking knife/marking guage - more of a luxury and you can get by without them but they are really nice to have I'm sure I'm forgetting some really stupid things but I'm kind of spitballing here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Llama Posted January 6, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Yes loaded question indeed! Here's my opinion First and most importantly, you need a good bench capable of holding your work. This is the most important tool in a handtool shop. Planes, oh the planes You need the following: Jack, block, smoother, jointer. The others will come as you need them. Although I'll throw in a Stanley #45 in the mix. I prefer low angle planes. Just my preference. If you can only afford one block plane now, get an old stanley knuckle. If you want a shinier one, get a skew rabbet block from ln. It's the only block plane you will need for a long time. Saws: You'll need a few saws. Big rip, and a big crosscut. Your first joinery saw should be a sash saw. Something in the 14" range., if you only get one get a crosscut or hybrid tooth configuration. Layout: Marking gauges, I prefer the ones with a wheel style cutter. Marking knife, I like the dual bevel ones. Machinist style dividers. Good quality combo square. Misc, I don't want to write all night Sharpening stones. Won't get into this. Rabbit hole of there ever was one. Chisels, you'll need a few sizes to start out with. 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and a larger maybe 1" one. Mallet. I like the round ones. I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff, it's late and I haven't had enough to drink yet. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Bailey Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 just popping in to recommend a book that probably speaks well to this topic http://www.amazon.com/New-Traditional-Woodworker-Popular-Woodworking-ebook/dp/B005JEKJYE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420556521&sr=1-1&keywords=new+traditional+woodworker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomwolf Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Here's another good book, mine is full of bookmarks: http://lostartpress.com/collections/books/products/the-anarchists-tool-chest Vic Tesolin is going to be publishing a book this fall called `The Minimalist Woodworker`, and it is going to be about woodworking in a small space (his shop is only 175 square feet). One of the projects that he will have in the book is a 5' Nicholson-style bench that you can build from 2x6's using a workmate, panel saw and a chisel. http://www.minimalistwoodworker.com/philosophy/ Shannon Rogers runs the `Handtool School`online, and has a bunch of great articles and videos on his site:http://www.renaissancewoodworker.com/ Bench and Appliances - A large bench is not a requirement for hand tool woodworking (though it does make it a lot easier!); I started with a Workmate, then upgraded to a 2' by 2' sheet of MDF clamped to saw horses. I got lucky and got a factory-made bench from someone on Kijiji, but this DVD(below) set tells you how to make a bench from home center materials. I would recommend building a bench over buying (my bench is a light POS that wracks horribly), but don't feel like you *need* a bench before you can make anything. Making a couple of boxes on a workmate will teach you plenty, and make it easier when you go to build the bench. http://lostartpress.com/collections/dvds/products/the-naked-woodworker You'll also want a bench hook and a shooting board. There are plenty of videos/articles on how to make them, just make sure you use something stable (MDF or dry white pine) and use a good square to keep all the reference surfaces at 90 degrees. Planes - if you can find a person/take a course that will give you access to a good quality hand plane and a little instruction as to how they are to be used, it will be time (and money) well spent; knowing how a place is supposed to work makes it a lot easier to refurbish one. Th. ere are a *lot* of different options here (wooden bodied, metal bodied, Japanese-style pull planes) so do some research (and, ideally, try some out) and find what works for you. Planes (and panel saws) are arguably the tool where buying vintage makes the most sense . Chisels - there's a pinned topic on this forum with all sorts of info on chisels. I like the Narex brand, Lee Valley sells sets of 4 and 7 of them. Honestly, a set of four (1/4", 1/2'", 3/4", 1") bevel-edged chisels from any good brand is all you really need to start, and then you can add in more sizes and types as needed. Sharpening - as mentioned, a huge rabbit hole of different techniques. Find something that works for you, sharp edge solves 90% of problems. Japanese waterstones are popular. Some people use sand paper on a flat surface. It has a low start-up cost, but the lifetime cost can become considerable depending how much sharpening you do. Measuring, marking, and layout tools - basic kit would be mechanical pencil, striking knife, a couple of marking gauges (any style will do), tape measure, combination square, and maybe a speed square or engineer square. The squares absolutely need to be in good condition and should only be purchased from a reliable source. everything else on the list can be second hand. Saws - If you are breaking down your stock by hand, you'll need a couple of panel saws (panel saws are 22"-28" long back-less saws). If you have access to machines to do most of your stock dimensioning you can wait and go straight to a cross-cut carcass saw for cutting joinery. Don't feel the need to get a special dovetail saw off the bat, a crosscut saw can cut dovetails fine (based on my own experience). Boring/drilling - honestly, a good cordless drill is amazing, and can do double duty around the house. Have a brace and screw drivers handy for high-torque applications though. Also, this article is worth reading:http://blog.lostartpress.com/2014/06/27/set-up-shop-with-the-naked-woodworker-part-2/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Also a good video for starting out is The Naked Woodworker. I probably would have more cash in my wallet if that DVDS was available when I started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycleproud Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 The unplugged wood shop host Tom has a video up right now of the hand tool box that he takes with him to his summer place. Seems like a good start as he goes through in great detail what he considers the essentials that he might need over the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Cheers Tiods Shop Talker, I think this is a great list. Of course it does not have to be like for like but it's a good way to get started. Buying tools is the easy bit, finding time to make stuff is the hard part! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shop Talker Posted January 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Thank you all for this great stuff I never thought about it being a loaded question after reading this I understand now I have thick skin so tiods dont feel bad thanks for all the replies they really help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Thank you all for this great stuff I never thought about it being a loaded question after reading this I understand now I have thick skin so tiods do feel bad thanks for all the replies they really help Pretty awesome part of this community is their willingness to lend a hand! I should have also tossed in Renaissance Wood Worker as a good source of youtube material. He'll be a great source for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shop Talker Posted January 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Pretty awesome part of this community is their willingness to lend a hand! I should have also tossed in Renaissance Wood Worker as a good source of youtube material. He'll be a great source for you! ya and the do was suppose to be a don't my skin is thick not my spelling skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellardoor Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 I agree - the Anarchist's tool chest is extremely comprehensive and really uses the tool chest as a stand-in for the hand tool shop. Each tool is covered in adequate detail for a beginner to understand its use. Personally I feel that if you think too much about a total inventory of tools your head will explode. Rather you should familiarize yourself with the basics of most tools so that you know what you need them for and acquire them as you need them. It's very hard to make a good purchase decision about a tool you're not using yet. Often when questions are asked on forums you can tell that someone is trying to plan ahead and the answers can be just as vague as the question. When you need a tool it's the perfect time to buy it because you know exactly why you need it and what it will do. This will help tremendously in its selection. So here's the sequence I've been following that I've seen prescribed online by folks a lot further down the path than myself... 1. Start with planes, chisels, saws, marking & measuring, and sharpening media. With these you can build simple furniture at most scales. A great place to start is shop furniture. Work bench, saw bench(es), tool chest, etc. Simple boxes, end tables, etc. are easily achieved with these tools. 2. Add some moulding planes to add some detail. I've found using these doesn't require too much more in the way of motor skills and can be applied to the majority of furniture made with the above. 3. Carving seems to be a good third step and requires, of course, all sorts of fun new tools and some new skills. I've taken a class on this and while it's not my cup of tea in terms of the result, the work is a lot of fun and a real challenge. 4. Next might be curved work with files, rasps, spoke shaves, etc. This really takes furniture outside the limitations of shaker style. Now you have to think dimensionally in a new way. This is the part I'm starting on and some parts seem very easy and some I find to defy intuition - since I'm used to working on one plane at a time. Not just new tools, but - to me - the first time I've really had to adjust how I approached the project in three dimensions. 5. Turning gets thrown in there somewhere, too. I think of it as both a crucial part of nearly every discipline of furniture construction, but also a rabbit hole unto itself. Unless you're Shannon you're likely to introduce some power for this part! Hopefully that's helpful. I'm barely conversant in the boxy world of the beginner, but I've dabbled in most other areas enough to see which ones seem like a natural next step and which seem like a total reworking of my knowledge and skills. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RenaissanceWW Posted January 13, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 If I'm understanding your question correctly, you are not asking about which tools to get but which "appliances" are helpful. Like as had been said above, a lot of this depends on the work you do. But assuming general furniture work and since you already mentioned a workbench I would start with a saw bench. Actually I would built a sawbench before I even build a workbench. Don't obssess over the workbench too much at first as that can be improvised easily with some saw horses and a few planks. I built a dining table recently up at my in-laws house in Maine and had nothing but a rickety table and a saw horse to use and it worked just fine. Also in no particular order, bench hooks, shooting boards, try squares, straightedges, sharpening bench (or at least a dedicated space), saw bents, saw til. In fact, it you visit my Semester 1 page of The Hand Tool School and look at the applied projects for each lesson you will see that this is exactly how I have structured the curriculum for the starting out hand tool woodworker. Building these aids will allow you to hone your skills while building very useful stuff that you don't have to obsess over it looking perfect. Moreover, if you design them right you can focus on a single skill for each project. For example, my sawbench is designed to be built using only a saw and it highlights the 3 types of saw cuts you will encounter. I could have made it differently with more intricate joinery but then it would have drawn upon other skills and not allowed the student to focus on just the sawing. (easily the most important skill in hand tool work in my opinion). Anyway, this is starting to sound like a commercial and that's not my intent. Good luck and keep asking questions, the gang here will treat you right. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 I can highly recommend Shannon's site. If I had had it as I muddled through getting into the hobby I'd be much further along. I'm hoping the next 'sale' on semesters lines up with when I have some cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 [see full post above] ShopTalker - Give Shannon's advice some extra weight...he knows his stuff. http://renaissancewoodworker.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CStanford Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Hey all I Am really new to the hand tool woodworking world my experience is lacking in all accounts. What I am trying to figure out is what is in a hand tool shop. I know the bench is the heart of the shop but what other things are there like saw bench, jointer bench and that's where I'm stuck I don't know any of the other things. What other shop fixtures and tool benches or jigs make the work easier that would help me in my new found passion. thanks for all the help This piece linked below could be built with well less than a $1,000 in hand tools, including material for a basic bench. The talent to do so, well that's something totally different. Hand tool woodworking is not expensive. Wood, fittings, and fitments for a project are expensive. The tools are the least of the investment - even if you have a couple of power tools around for an assist from time to time. Buy reasonably decent tools and you've made a one-time purchase for life. http://www.ronaldphillipsantiques.com/GEORGE-MAHOGANY-KNEEHOLE-WRITING-DESK-DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=6&tabindex=5&OBJECTID=536521 Find a Charles Hayward book on woodworking -- Junior Woodworker, Carpentry (actually about furnituremaking; carpentry is the general British term), Beginning Cabinetmaking, et al. He covers all the basic tools you'll need and first shop appliances to build and how to make them. You need less than you think. Woodworking is in some respects like cooking -- your job is mainly to transform ingredients, not manufacture the pots and pans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autorotate Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 Joshua Farnsworth has a nice web site called Wood and shop http://woodandshop.com you might want to check out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumpnav Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Get: 1. Jack plane 2. 1/4 & 1/2 inch chisels 3. Tenon saw...Veritas saw is the best deal going for a starter 4. Good combo square 5. Wood Start building something...anything. If you start by buying all the tools in the world you'll bog down and not have much fun. READ!! Lots of good stuff for free on Shannon's site....get The Anarchist Toolchest....join Shannon's Handtool School semester 1 and do all of the projects. You'll learn tons and end up building lots of shop appliances that come in handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Check out Tom fidgens site at the unpluggedwoodshop.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4square Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 A good framing square, try square, dozen or so various length clamps, (12" to 24" long) hand drill,miter box, carcass saw, dovetail saw (a good gents saw will suffice), L/A adjustable mouth block plane, #5 jack plane. 1/4" to 1/2" chisels, chisel mallet, striking knife, dovetail gauge(if you're brave you can make one), fret saw or coping saw, sizable piece of thick glass, A/O sandpaper (grits 220- 2000 min.) used for sharpening your chisels and plane irons. You don't have to spend a pile of money to get started. Look on ebay for a couple of decent used hand planes. Set your price limit at say $30.00 for a #5 jack and $20.00 for a L/A block plane. Good Gent saw's can be bought new for $30-$35.00. Narex chisels are an inexpensive quality chisel. LeeValley sells them. I would advise spending as much as you can afford for a good striking knife and carcass saw. Sandpaper sharpening (scary sharp method) is probably the least expensive method of sharpening. And you never have to worry about flattening stones. You should be able to find higher grit paper at most auto parts stores. Try-squares and framing squares can be bought at a big box store (good starters) if you already have or know someone who has a true machine square bring it with you when you go to buy your new squares and use it to test for true 90 degrees before you buy. Look for deals at WoodCraft or even Harbor freight for the clamps. Even Sears. I bought 6 12" clamps at Sears right after Christmas for $7.00 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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