Popular Woodworking 2003-06 № 134, страница 45

Handsaws might seem like an antiquated way to size lumber, but a straight and sharp saw is highly effective (ana a joy to use).

work being carried out. Yet he was shocked and astonished by this simple, straightforward bit of work. Why?

I believe the primary reason was that the work he typically observed was carried out almost exclusively with power tools and machinery. And, based on that experience, he shared an assumption that is common on construction sites (and in woodworking circles), that critical and quality work cannot be effectively accomplished using hand tools. For him to see someone deliberately drive a chisel into a completely installed and all but completed, curved, custom handrail, must have seemed an act of madness.

Hostility and Camaraderie

In a way, I was not surprised by his reaction. Typically, when I show up on a job site with my carving tools, a roll of chisels, a plane or two and possibly a small back saw, I can tell that my presence creates a stir. There are a variety of reactions. Sometimes it's mild hostility ("Hey, don't you know they've invented routers?"), most often from those in other woodworking trades. Sometimes it's simple curiosity. And, sometimes it's instant camaraderie with other tradespeople whom I've never met before. These latter, I've observed, are often accomplished in an unusual trade, and may also feel anomalous on many job sites.

The brace and bit produces immense amounts of torque that your cordless drill could only dream about. Plus, many models (not the one shown here) have a ratcheting feature that allows them to be used in corners and right up against wall moulding.

My purpose in relating this anecdote is to illustrate there is a widely shared perception that exclusive use of power tools and machinery is the only "sensible" route to take in woodworking. To offset this, advocates of using at least some traditional hand tools often argue that hand tools are safer, quieter, less polluting and less expensive. Additionally, there is often the (sometimes implied) message that it's easier than it looks.

While there is a good deal of validity to these arguments, I think they fail to address the fact that many power-tool woodworkers (vocational or avocational) do not consider hand tools to be safe, easy or effective.

They may have, in fact, attempted to use hand tools at one point or another, only to be utterly frustrated. Or, worse yet, they've spoilt the work.

This could be for any number of reasons, including an inadequately sharpened or tuned tool, an inappropriate tool for the job, and/or lack of experience, skill and knowledge needed for success. Whatever the reason, for these woodworkers, the "safe" course of action seems that of continuing along the path they're already on.

Risky but Rewarding

Truth is, there is risk involved in deciding to use hand tools. Risk, if nothing else, in the form of a real, and sometimes steep, learn

ing curve. There will be failures and frustrations. It takes time and effort to learn about the tools, how to sharpen them, when, where and how to use them, along with the equipment and appliances needed to use them effectively. Without the appropriate sharp chisel and the necessary skill, I would have been "mad" to use it on the handrail.

Despite this, I believe there are a variety of valid reasons to consider the possibility of making some use of hand tools. For example, you may have some historic interest in what it was like to work in some bygone era. Or, you might simply desire to explore some design and construction details which don't readily lend themselves to a machine-only approach to woodworking.

It is not the purpose of this column to convince every woodworker to use hand tools. Rather, it is to encourage those with such an interest to "live dangerously" and begin, or advance, along the lines of that interest. In a sense, the existence of this column is based on the presumption that many woodworkers have such an interest. Though, in today's woodworking climate, they may not have acknowledged that interest, even to themselves.

The good news is that the knowledge, skills and techniques are eminently learn-able by anyone with average motor skills and abilities. And it is the primary purpose of this column to help that learning process by discussing the tools, trade techniques and applications in a manner which I hope will be informative and provocative.

Learn to properly tune up a plane, and you'll be hooked. Planes are capable of a great variety of tasks, from producing crown moulding to preparing lumber for its final finish.

popwood.com

43