Who uses hand tools, and which ones?

[CARPENTERDON]

I use many hand tools in my daily work. Actually I prefer to use them over my power tools. Who else here uses hand tools on a daily basis, and which ones do you use the most. . .other than a hammer and tape measure!

Here are a few of the tools I use on a daily basis.

[SteveA(MD)]

I use many hand tools in my daily work. Actually I prefer to use them over my power tools. Who else here uses hand tools on a daily basis, and which ones do you use the most. . .other than a hammer and tape measure!

Here are a few of the tools I use on a daily basis.


Neanderthal..... :D

Only kidding.

Like many woodworkers, I do find occasions to using hand tools, sometimes that are just required other time not.
I suppose you can call me a Normite. ;)

[Keyser Soze]

Where do they plug in....??

LOL

I am a product of science, engineering and all things power.

That said I still use a slide rule. Drives people in my office nuts. :D

[Newman]

Other than an occasional chisel and hammer, it's power all the way! :p

[drtyhands]

Welcome to the forum CarpenterDon,I used to wear your Vaughn rigging axe back in the eighties when we used to notch the tops of floor joists for gas systems.
Did the plumbing on a log cabin a couple of years ago,the canadians who came down here to put their fabrication together told me to leave at least 6" for settling on this two story.
Do you build your cabins from scratch or out of the box?Your use of the drawknife leads me to believe you go from scratch.

[Cephus]

While I don't use handsaws much, I certainly have a good selection of chisels and planes that get a good workout, I really find it hard to believe that people can do good work without at least some handwork. There are just some things that require a hands-on approach, rather than just pulling a trigger.

[wbrooks]

Here are the tools I use most when building projects. Not shown are the scrapers, chisels etc. Looks like we have the same draw knife

http://www.nexicom.net/~wbrooks/handtools.jpg

[CWSmith]

I think the usual measuring tools are part of most everyone's shop/tool kit. Certainly my old framing square, level, measuring tape, etc. are part of every home reno project. I've also got a few drawing instruments, squares, and marking devices that I've carried over from days on the drawing board.

I also regularly use a couple of hand saws which include a small carpenter's saw, back saw, razor saws, and a flush cut, double-edge saw. I've got a few hammers of course, a couple of mallets, chisels, scrapers, rasps, and a small block plane. I also have a few sanding blocks and shapes as well as a wood brace a bit set. The latter is preferred when boring as I think it's more enjoyable to use for deep holes, especially with deck work.

What I don't have is any good planes or shaves, which I hope to add at some future date.

CWS

[Ken in Arkansas]

I use my tape measure and/or zig-zag wooden rule and Starrett combination square on almost every project. I use hand saws for smaller cutting jobs, it's quicker than getting my P-C circular saw out or setting up the table saw. I also use a variety of planes spokeshaves, rasps, chisels etc.

Outdoors I use an axe or handsaw for many jobs, only getting out the chainsaw (Husquvarna 51) when necessary. I use power tools less than I have in the past.

It is hard to find decent hand tools; I get good used ones at flea markets or antique stores or good new ones from Lee Valley or Lie-Nielsen.

[garager]

My favorite hand tool, has got to be the Japaneses pull saws. I own lots of them, and I use one about every other day for one reason or another.......

Tape Measurer
Speed Square
Carpenter Square
Levels
Hammer
Nail Pullers
Bevel Gauge
Pry and Wonder Bars
Chalk Line
Straight Bar
Screw Driver

These were the tools I used just today, and just about every day......

[Woussko]

Here are the tools I use most when building projects. Not shown are the scrapers, chisels etc. Looks like we have the same draw knife

http://www.nexicom.net/~wbrooks/handtools.jpg

Very nice collection, Wayne.:wave:

[Evil Gopher]

Doing HVAC work...wire cutters/stripers. Nut drivers and screwdrivers and Duct knife almost all the time.....boss dude gets all nervous if he sees me with a hammer :) Tape meassure.....humm why..cut 5 times measure later.:D

[LONGHAIR]

Sure, other than the usual measuring/marking tools there are chisels, planes and hand scrapers. My pull saw gets frequent use too.

[VASandy]

That's some great collections there!

I love planes and chisels! I've been contemplating purchasing the new floats from Lie-Nielsen as well as their beading plane. Currently I have my Dad's old Stanley hand plane, and a newer smaller Stanley, along with a selection of carving tools and chisels. I find myself often reaching for a hand saw instead of using a power tool.

[CARPENTERDON]

Welcome to the forum CarpenterDon,I used to wear your Vaughn rigging axe back in the eighties when we used to notch the tops of floor joists for gas systems.
Did the plumbing on a log cabin a couple of years ago,the canadians who came down here to put their fabrication together told me to leave at least 6" for settling on this two story.
Do you build your cabins from scratch or out of the box?Your use of the drawknife leads me to believe you go from scratch.

My log cabins/houses for the last 8 years are from scratch, but I have built from the kit side too. Hand hewn is mostly what I do now. Usually I build one every two years or so.

I have 5 planes, all wood, that my uncle's uncle made. They are from 1870, 72, 76, 79, & 81. I really enjoy using them and when I am using them I think about the history behind them.

I, as well, have a rabbeting plane, router plane, tenoning plane, beading plane, round-over plane, all from the 1880's, that have been passed down to me.

Both of my draw knives are hand forged from the James Co. made in 1901.

[BHD]

Depending on the job I use hand tools many times they jsut do a much better job, here is one project that hand tools are used nearly exclusive on,
the face is wood that was in the stalls in our old barn and the back is elm wood except for the ebony it is wood off the farm, or has been on the farm for over 100 years, it has a very rich and mellow sound to it, very very pleasant, my Daughter plays it very well, mostly play fiddle type music on it.

[CARPENTERDON]

This is my newest acquisition and addition to my hand tool line up. I purchased it for $30 at an estate sale this weekend.

It is brand new, in the box, and it still has the protective coating on the shoe. The date stamped on the box is: 07/1965

[wbrooks]

Nice find but definitely older than 1965 lucky for you, Type 20 (62-67) had blue japanning and were generally a POS. Type 19 (48 - 61) exhibits most of the features you have on your plane from what I can see except yours seems to have a straight top to the cutter which usually means it is a Type 18 (46-47) but I have read that some planes had straight (instead of curved) tops before the mid 50's.

[bmh032]

My chisels and planes (see picture) get a workout every time I'm in the shop. My planes are great for jointing boards before gluing and shaving down a surface that may be just a bit to wide. They're cheaper and more rewarding then a jointer, and they leave a fantastic surface. Also, I find it easier to reach for a chisel when I need to clean up an edge or fine tune a joint. My power tools are essential, buy my hand tools really allow me to fine tune my work. Not included in this picture or my chisels and gouges, and I'm looking to make a spokeshave here pretty soon to add to the collection.