Tom Cancelleri 2064 Posted October 8, 2016 Report Share Posted October 8, 2016 For me it was the hand tools and Roubo. I used to do everything with a machine of some kind. I used to think that power tools could do everything, until I had nice hand tools and blades that stayed sharp 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Unknown craftsman 265 Posted October 8, 2016 Report Share Posted October 8, 2016 For me it was Japaneese chisels.Not only did my work improve but my attitude too. I still have a nice set of Stanley socket chisels,But when I am trying my best I get out my Japaneese steel. Aj Quote Link to post Share on other sites
estesbubba 1446 Posted October 8, 2016 Report Share Posted October 8, 2016 I thought this thread was meant as a joke but I guess the joke is on me. After finishing my bed my current favorite tool is the Fuji Mini Mite 4! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gixxerjoe04 416 Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 tough question, from starting out, every upgrade I've done has helped a lot in some way. Guess it would be my 8" grizzly jointer with the helical head. Of course my 6" porter cable bench top jointer was a game changer at one time haha. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Byrdie 395 Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 Probably the biggest single change for me was stepping up to a quality table saw. It's not a serious, expensive saw but it's the single largest purchase I've made for my shop and the only tool besides the dust collector that gets used on nearly every project. That said, for some reason I enjoy working with the oscillating spindle sander. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark J 2054 Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 well... ahh... actually I... ahh... haven't got that much better, yet. But I'm workin' on it and I got help right here! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Freddie 640 Posted October 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 I'd have to say technique over tools for me is what made my woodworking experience better. Over the years I had upgraded tools, but never set my shop up to utilize the new tools to their fullest. I got a cabinet saw, but never built an outfeed table. I invested in hand tools without a proper bench. Basically, I was always fighting myself in the shop, but I never let my work suffer from that. At my day job however, my tool box is about as organized as you could possibly imagine. OCD to the max. My wood shop on the other hand, a disaster! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Immortan D 1686 Posted October 9, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 My LN planes let me do my woodworking during the night (and I live in an apartment). Sure game changers. Rabbeting right now: 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
prov163 698 Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 Chisels. Better though, sharp chisels. It's amazing how often I reach for them now that I've figured out how versatile they are. Need to buy some Japanese chisels and try them out. But chisels. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rapid Roger 560 Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 19 hours ago, Brendon_t said: Are you leaving the hobby? Yes, I'm quitting my wood working ,although I'm still interested and will keep up with the community. I've been doing it for 15+ years and have built everything from scroll saw work to a dinning room table and rocking chair. I've made toys for the grandkids for Christmas, a windmill and some customer work of end tables and benches. I'm getting older, (72) and have trouble breathing even without sawdust in the air (I doubt it has anything to with my cigarette smoking however ) and have just generally lost the inspiration to start any more projects. My boys (son and son-in-law) would like to have some of my tools but, just don't have the space and time to start another serious hobby. If anyone is interested in some used tools (big and small) and can come get them (I'm not going to get involved with shipping things) just ask and I'll give you some prices. Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to post a list in the proper area. Thanks for the inquiry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mat60 1061 Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 Well that stinks. I do understand about it not being not fun like it was. Sounds like you would feel alto better as I would if we quit smoking also. No offense there. I hope you have other things to enjoy and take up your time. After all your only 72. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark J 2054 Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 1 hour ago, Rapid Roger said: Yes, I'm quitting my wood working I'm getting older, (72) and have trouble breathing even without sawdust in the air (I doubt it has anything to with my cigarette smoking however ) and have just generally lost the inspiration to start any more projects. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gilgaron 94 Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 Roger, if you want to quit: my dad recently quit by switching to the vapor e-cigs and then stepping off the nicotine. He still puffs on his e-cig out of mechanical habit, but is planning on quitting that too, ultimately. While those are probably still not super awesome for your lungs, they're better than inhaling the slew of everything else that is in cigarettes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gee-dub 3114 Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 This is like trying to pick a favorite child. In the tailed world, a quality jointer/planer team freed me to make my own boards. I started picking the best parts instead of taking what gave the most yield. In the hand tool world, PM-V11 actually did make me a better woodworker ;-) In all fairness a Veritas Apron Plane taught me what a tool can do if properly sharpened and setup. I had sharp starter chisels and the softer metal actually helped teach me to sharpen (since I had to do it so much). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cochese 271 Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 It was a mindset for me: the willingness to spend more for better tools led to a mindset of expecting more out of the results. You can have the latter without the former, but for me it was the motivator. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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