The months have passed since I bought one of these. Generally perhaps a lower interest tool and yet for chair making and other tasks they are virtually indispensable. Made for or distributed by Sandford, famed for their layout tools to big box stores and local hardware stores alike, this tool struck as having the makings …
There was a time when imported tools were both cheap to buy and cheap in quality, which of course isn’t cheap but false economy. In the sixties we in the UK were flooded with low grade products from the the German Democratic Republic, Japan, India, China’s Hong Kong and others. Those days are long gone …
Routers online Routers for most people conjure up a range of different images ranging from face shields and dust extractors to dust masks ear plugs hearing protection and other head gear resembling and American football team player or a SWAT team member. Of course for 99.9% of machinist woodworkers this is essential equipment. That equates …
Question: Paul, I am working with your DVD and book and have made great progress with sharpening my tools. I finished the dovetail box and I just started the bookcase. Can you tell me where to get the chisel hammer that you use? Also I would like to take your foundation course in NY. When …
We seem almost besotted with giant tape measures in our western world of woodworking, but of course in construction they are now essential. How we managed before they were developed to what have today I don’t know. I grew up with a three-foot four-fold Rabone rule made from boxwood and I still use it at …
I am going to risk it I own a belt sander 4” wide. It’s made by Trend and it’s a piece of poor workmanship but the price was right because I could see how to improve it for what I wanted it for and this is where I take the risk. It’s really the risk …
Buying good tools cheap – Introducing the hand saws Read More »
I would that someone would have come out with the regular Stanley #4 plane Bailey pattern again. You know, the lightweight one. One with nice Padauk or curly cherry handles. Or even highly polished beech would work for me with no stain. Also, I know the German tool makers Kuntz made a very junky model …
Buying good tools cheap – What planes do you use? Read More »
Bullnose planes are an added luxury until you really need one. I bought my Stanley 90 in 1966 and I am still using it. The nickel plating is mostly gone now and I never altogether understood why they used it because mine never did rust. I just use it a little and a lot depending …
Ebay and smoothing planes I am sure for every good thing I say about eBay smoothing planes there will be someone who can counter what I say, but I have bought about a hundred smoothing planes on eBay in the past three years and only one had a real problem that I fixed and got …
Hand planes are the source of great debate these days. I can’t imagine such a silly thing really. The internet has connected many debaters with little good fruit, but some, a little, maybe. I have been giving some serious thought to many things I have said or say or do or don’t do with planes. …
on Restoring the Jack . . . Plane SpeakingWell, whereas it saddens me that your one bad experience can discolour the whole for those who could never afford a premium plane they really don't need in the first place and peop…
on It’s dark when I arrivePaul, I have similar thoughts as I see so much madness in the world, I think about a quote from the Apostle Paul to the Galatians; “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only d…
on Restoring the Jack . . . Plane SpeakingHi Paul, I couldn’t agree more that having a plane sharp enough to use right out of the box is not very important, however I ram convinced it is an indicator of the overall materia…
on It’s dark when I arriveThis is the first time I have read one of your posts. Well said and I appreciate your thoughts. My time in my own shop is a respite from the world at large and healing. I'm looking…
on Restoring the Jack . . . Plane SpeakingOnce again I find myself starting by thinking I'm reading a piece about doing, when in fact I'm reading a piece about being. I love reading your posts but rarely comment as there's…
on It’s dark when I arriveI love the contrasts between a mowed lawn and natural sprouting grasses or wild meandering bush an a well trodden path. I was thinking digging in clean unpolluted soil how joyful a…
on Prepping Wood VIIAuckland, New Zealand remains in hard lockdown due to the Delta variant of the Covid virus. I don't have much wood in the shed, but I do have some spare lengths of macrocarpa, left…