Let me start with, this is what it is all about to me. As a woodworker I can geek out about a table saw or a power drill, but the old school hand tools… That it where it’s at. I started with a bunch of OLD hand tools from my Grandfather (later found out my Grandmother’s father was a woodworker) and realized it takes real talent to use some of these almost century old tools. Failing miserably, I ended up going to the “Train Your Hand” workshop by Master Woodsmith Rob Cosman. This is where my tools, and some new ones, became the coolest new journey I have ever been on!
What are the key woodworking tools for traditional woodwork?
- Wood Planes
- Chisels
- Hand Saws
- Marking Gauges
- Mallet
- Clamps
- Sharpening Stones
- Squares
- Measuring Tapes
Stepping into the world of traditional woodworking, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the vast array of tools available. However, among these many tools, some have stood the test of time and have proven to be indispensable in the workshops of artisans and hobbyists alike. These tools include hand planes, chisels, and hand saws, which, despite their centuries-old designs, continue to play a crucial role in creating beautiful, functional and durable woodwork. Whether you’re a seasoned craftsman or a budding woodworker, gaining a deeper understanding of these tools will surely elevate your craft.
Authors Note
If you are serious about getting into traditional woodworking, I really recommend checking out this little book, A Museum of Early American Tools by Eric Sloane. It really deep dives into the traditional art and knowledge of wood tools.
I am an affiliate marketer, but once you see the price on this book you will see I recommend it because it’s good, not because it would make me rich.
Traditional Woodworking Tools: Hand Planes
While power tools might be a staple in the modern workshop, there’s nothing quite like the craftsmanship, precision, and satisfaction that comes with using hand tools in traditional woodworking. A timeless essential in every woodworker’s arsenal, hand planes have a certain romantic charm, combined with functionality that leaves a magnificent finish on pieces.
Let’s dive right into the world of hand planes, and explore the ones that are the most pivotal for all traditional woodworking enthusiasts.
Jack Plane
The Jack Plane, aptly named for its versatility, fits the bill for a “jack-of-all-trades” tool in the woodworking world. The historic jack plane’s length, approximately around 14 inches, bridges the gap between smoothing and jointing tasks. It’s used for squaring off, leveling the wood, and even for creating chamfers. The key to mastering this tool is setting the blade to a depth that allows for effective removal of waste material.
Smoothing Plane
The Smoothing Plane is another game-changer. Typically, 9 inches in length, a finely tuned smoothing plane can deliver an unrivaled finish on your workpiece, akin to a carefully sanded surface. A smoothing plane is adept at handling end grain and woven grain details, making it crucial for final finishing tasks. The thin, sharp blade is perfect for achieving that mesmerizing mirror finish.
Jointer Plane
Enter the Jointer Plane, often considered an intimidating piece of equipment due to its sizable length, spanning between 22 to 30 inches. But one must not underestimate its power in transforming rough lumber into straight, flat pieces. This plane specializes in squaring and straightening edges. It is able to maintain its course along a piece of wood due to the length of the sole, making it essential for preparing lumber before final finishing.
Block Plane
Finally, we come to the Block Plane. This compact wonder, ideal for one-handed operation, is designed for end grain work and precision tasks. It’s perfect for cleaning up components like miters, dovetails, and for removing glue lines. The block plane offers versatility and ease of use that is unparalleled, making it a loyal companion for all woodworkers.
To choose the right plane, remember to consider its type and size in relation to the job at hand. Always opt for high-quality blades that allow for finer shavings and deliver a smoother finish. One cannot quantify the sheer joy of seeing that thin, curly shaving peel off the wooden surface, revealing a flawless finish beneath, all with the power of mere hand tools.
Mastering these traditional tools will provide any woodworker with a deeper understanding of the craft, making the journey just as enriching and fulfilling as the final result. Traditional woodworking is not just about reaching the destination, rather, it’s about enjoying the route taken, the shavings made, and the pieces created from mere slabs of lumber, all thanks to the invaluable companionship of hand planes.
Traditional Woodworking Tools: Chisels
Whenever traditional woodworking presents itself as a topic of discussion, it’s almost impossible to omit the mention of the mighty chisel. Yet often overlooked in favor of power tools, chisels contribute a sense of authenticity and precise detail, characteristics that make traditional woodworking a valuable craft, full of nostalgia and heritage.
With a design that’s as simple as it gets – a handle and a perfectly cut blade – a chisel is a depiction of simplicity at its finest. The beauty of chisels lies in their ability to perform the most intricate tasks. They are incredibly versatile, giving woodworkers the freedom to carve intricate designs, dovetails, mortise and tenon joints, and execute precision paring. The precision that chisels offer is unmatchable by any machine counterpart, again, pinpointing their importance in traditional woodworking.
Among the chisel family, bevel edge, mortise, and paring chisels have proven indispensable in the woodworking landscape.
Bench Chisel or Beveled Edge Chisel
The most common chisel and probably what you think of when you envision one. Bench, or Bevel Edged chisels are the most versatile type of chisel, used for general woodworking tasks like chopping, paring, and joinery. Bevel edge chisels, with their tapered sides, allow for a much smoother manipulation in tighter spaces, a quintessential feature for tasks requiring particular attention to detail.
Mortise Chisel
Mortise chisels, on the other hand, are stronger, thicker, and built for heavy-duty work. Used for chopping clean, square mortises, often paired with a tenon chisel for creating joinery. It has a long, narrow blade and a steep bevel angle of about 45 degrees.
Paring Chisel
Paring chisels are used for fine trimming and paring work, such as smoothing edges and cleaning up joints. It has a thin blade and a low bevel angle of about 15 degrees.
Corner Chisel
Regular chisels have a single bevel, making it difficult to achieve perfectly square corners without risking tear-out (chunks of wood breaking off). A corner chisel, on the other hand, has two blades at 90 degrees to each other, ensuring clean and accurate corner removal.
Important notes about Chisels
To maintain the optimal performance of chisels, proper sharpening is key. A well-sharpened chisel enhances control and safety. Sharpening chisels also gives a sense of pride, a rhythmic ritual that adds to the charm of traditional woodworking.
Choosing high-quality chisels is equally essential. They offer durable, sharper edges that hold their shape for a longer time, providing a consistent, smooth finish that emphasizes the beauty of the wood grain. I personally (partially due to the “Training the Hand” Workshop mentioned above use the IBC brand of chisels. They are very high quality and hold and edge much longer than most due to their composition.
It’s not all about the technique and the final product though. Working with chisels invites a moment of mindfulness, a unique opportunity to connect deeply with the craft, the material, and the rich history dyed in its grain. Skillfully guiding the edge of a chisel through the wood, realizing the material’s sound, touch, and aroma, brings an elemental art-form to life, nurturing the soul just as much as it brings form to the wood.
What really sets chisels apart is their silent communication with the artisan, creating an intimate bond that elevates traditional woodworking beyond a hobby or a mere profession—it’s a lifestyle, a labor of love, where passion meets precision and patience. Through their versatility, chisels enable the carving of a wide range of projects, helping to draft a narrative composed of shaves, cuts, and whittles.
So, now that the lead role of chisels in traditional woodworking is clear, get back to the shop, take a chisel in your hand, and chisel your way to mastery. There’s no telling what story your project will tell, and who knows, your next masterpiece could be just a few shaves away.
Traditional Woodworking Tools: Saws
Moving forward in our journey of understanding traditional woodworking tools, it’s time to delve into the importance and functionality of hand saws in this age-old craft. Saws are found in many forms and sizes and are adapted for a multitude of tasks. Adding to their indispensability in the traditional woodworking toolkit. Let’s take a closer look at why this tool is hailed a hero in woodworking.
Figuratively speaking, if you consider your project as a blank canvas, a hand saw is like the paintbrush through which woodworkers craft their masterpiece. It is through sawing that the initial shape of the project starts to form. Large pieces of wood are tamed into more manageably sized pieces using these essential tools.
The artistry in sawing isn’t simply in rough cutting of wood, but also in the precision that it offers. A hand saw can accomplish intricate tasks of detailed cutting with precision, unmatched by power tools. Dovetail joints, mortise, and tenon joints, which are often seen in cupboard making, window frames, and furniture can be cut immaculately using a hand saw.
The versatility of hand saws is another winning factor. From ripsaws for cutting with the grain, crosscut saws for slicing across the grain to coping saws for intricate, curved cuts; each serves a unique purpose. The nuanced differences in their structural design, such as the blade thickness and tooth pattern, make them unique in their abilities to perform distinct tasks, thereby confirming their imperative presence in any woodworking toolkit.
Hand saws are an ode to slow, attention-to-detail woodworking, which is often lost when using power tools. They embody the philosophy of ‘slow and steady’ — providing the craftsman the much-needed opportunity to slow down, carefully observe and understand the nature of the material in hand. This intimate understanding is fundamental in creating woodwork that is both beautiful and functional.
Hand Saws
An undeniable advantage of hand saws is their relative quietness compared to power saws. Hand saws, with their unobtrusive hum, do not disturb the serene atmosphere within the workshop, and even across walls, it respects quiet neighborhoods.
With its simplicity, a hand saw is an easy tool to maintain. Basic blade cleaning and occasional sharpening can keep your hand saw in prime condition for long. Moreover, you’re less likely to be halted mid-project by unexpected mechanical breakdowns or power outages. This makes hand saws reliable companions for any woodworking project.
Lastly, the sweet reward of using a hand saw is the sense of accomplishment. Every slicing stroke, every rip and crosscut grants a sense of fulfillment and connection with the craft. Just like planes and chisels, hand saws allow the woodworker to experience woodworking in its most authentic form – a connection between the craftsman, the tool, and the wood.
From the echoes of sawmills from yesteryears to modern-day artisan’s workshops, hand saws have never lost their significance. They promise precision, induce patience and humble the craftsman, constantly reminding one of the beauty in the process. It is safe to say hand saws are more than just tools, they are an integral part of the woodworking tradition and its storytelling. So, why wait? Start sawing, start creating!
What is a Kerf?
A kerf is the distance in width of the amount of waste a blade removes. This is an important concept when just starting in fine woodworking because choosing the wrong kerf blade will drive you crazy when doing something like dovetails. You will think to yourself time and time again, why doesn’t my joint fit together well? It’s because the blade removed too much material.
Generally Rip and Cross Cut Saws have a larger kerf, whereas detail saws like the Dovetail have a very thin kerf.
Rip Cut Saw
A rip cut saw, also known as a rip saw, is a specialized hand saw designed for making long, straight cuts along the grain of the wood. It’s a vital tool for woodworkers who need to efficiently cut large boards into smaller pieces for furniture making, construction, or other projects.
Cross Cut Saw
In contrast to the rip cut saw, a cross cut saw is a hand saw specifically designed for making cuts across the grain of the wood. This means it excels at tasks like chopping firewood, shortening boards, and making intricate joinery cuts. The smaller teeth and alternating bevels make the cross cut saw slower than a rip saw, but it offers:
- Reduced tear-out: Minimizes splintering and chipping on the cut edges, especially important for fine work.
- Greater control: The finer teeth provide more precise cuts and prevent the saw from wandering off course.
- Wider range of uses: Handles both thick and thin materials due to its sturdier blade and controlled cutting action.
For long, straight cuts with the grain, go for a rip saw. For clean, controlled cuts across the grain, choose a cross cut saw.
Dovetail Saw
A dovetail saw is a specialized hand saw designed for the delicate and precise task of cutting dovetail joints. These elegant and sturdy corner joints are a mainstay in fine woodworking furniture construction, and a good dovetail saw is essential for achieving clean, accurate cuts.
Compared to other hand saws like rip saws or crosscut saws, a dovetail saw has a remarkably thin blade. Typically around 0.018 inches (26 gauge), this thinness minimizes the “kerf” (the width of the cut made by the saw) to preserve as much wood as possible for a tight and strong joint.
Fret Saw
Fret saws are designed exactly for what you think of when you say fret, lutherie or guitars. It is a specialized saw that is used for making intrecate and precise cuts, like on a dovetail. The very thin kerf allows the blade to slide down the shaft cut by the dovetail saw, and then the flexiblity if the blade allows you to turn and cut out the bottom waste of the dovetail. They are small, moveable and nimble saws that really allow you to get precise work without tearout or damage to your overall project.
Kerf Saw
The term “kerf saw” isn’t a specific type of saw in the traditional sense. It’s more of a descriptive term used for any saw that prioritizes a narrow kerf (the width of the material removed by the blade). This means, regardless of the saw’s actual type, if it’s designed to minimize material waste with a thin blade, it can be considered a “kerf saw.” For Dovetails we use a backsaw kerf blade which is used for intricate joinery cuts, these saws have thin blades with high tooth counts (14-20 TPI) for smooth cuts and minimal kerf.
Traditional Woodworking Tools: Marking Gauges
Wheel Marking Gauge
This unique gauge utilizes a small rolling wheel blade to score lines on the wood. Its main advantage lies in its ability to mark around curved edges, making it perfect for laying out intricate designs or marking circular cuts.
Conical Pin Marking Gauge
This classic gauge, also known as a scratch gauge, features a sharp, pointed pin that scratches the wood surface to mark lines. It’s ideal for marking lines with the grain but isn’t as effective against cross-grain or end grain due to potential tear-out.
Cutting Marking Gauge
Equipped with a sharp knife instead of a pin, this gauge cuts fine lines into the wood, leaving a clean and visible mark. It excels in marking across and end grain but requires careful handling to avoid accidents.
Wrapping it up!
As we delve into the specifics of each of these craft-essential tools, it emerges that despite the advance in technology, the time-honoured tools such as hand planes, chisels and hand saws remain just as essential today in crafting quality woodwork. Their versatility and intrinsic connection to the material make them not only practical but also an extension of the craftsman’s hand, thereby transforming the woodworking process from a mere job into an art form. So, as you embark on your woodworking journey, don’t overlook these traditional woodworking tools. With understanding and skill, they can help you transform a simple piece of lumber into a lifetime masterpiece.
Make sure to check out the rest of my website and blog! My store has many of the common items I personally use and the WHY behind it.
Have a great one!
Royce
Hill Country CNC & Woodworking is an affiliate marketing business, but it is one with ethics and morals. We only promote the items that we use in our daily business. Let’s help each other! I will give you my experience (and discounts sometimes) and you can help me grow.