I have recently decided to start using older tools. One of my favorite sayings for this is NeanderTools. Basically using tools that were created before electricity was widely available in homes.
The biggest reason for this is my kids. The only time I have to build things is when the kids are sleeping, or when they are playing in the back yard. Either way, I can't use loud or dangerous power tools. I was sawing a large piece of Oak firewood into a thick board with my hand saw and my daughter who was then 1 1/2 was dancing under the saw dust thinking it was so cool. she couldn't reach the saw and I didn't have to worry about power tools throwing debris.
 I have recently put together a little shop in the basement on the opposite side of the stairwell from the kids playroom, just for my Neander projects. I'm stuck with the Cat's litter box and such, but at least i'm out of the cold garage. My daughter loves to poke her head through the cat's entrance and watch me work. This picture shows the entire extent of my basement shop space.Detailed Tool info: Drills  Consolidated Tools Brace, I leave a 1/4" bit driver adapter in this for all my screw/bolt driving needs. It has a very smooth ratchet.  This is a Stanley no 923 that I use for most of my drilling needs. My Taper Shank bit set in the original box, I have a few other misc bits to fill in the odd numbers not included with the standard sets.  Millers Falls 77a enclosed egg beater drill. This is a very smooth operator with a nice side handle that i like. I had to replace the main handle as it was broken when I got it.  Millers Falls No97 Continuous motion drill. This thing is so cool. The transmission actually allows you to set a ratchet mode where it will drill on a push stroke and a pull stroke of the handle. This is a direct replacement for my cordless 14.4v Dewalt drill that doesn't hold a charge anymore. I use it mostly with my pocket hole jig and any time I have to drill holes in Metal.Saws    Rip and Panel Disston #7. These were in tough shape when i got them. There were a few bends in them, they were not at all sharp, and the teeth were not set properly. I have since straightened them as best i could, sharpened them, and set all their teeth. These are amazing. I read lots about them online and how good they are but i didn't think anything could work better than my Keystone. I have been thoroughly proven wrong. I also picked up a 3rd Disston #7 which is a larger cross-cut saw. I have not cleaned it up or sharpened it yet since I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it. The Panel saw has done all the cross-cutting I need. One of the only new tools I own. This is a Lee-Valley dovetail saw.  Moore Bros Back saw. This is the saw I let my Son use when he want's to make something. The teeth are are a strange cut that i haven't seen before, not sure if the previous owner didn't know how to sharpen or if this was intentional. It cuts just fine though.Planes   Craftsman 306-16 Block Plane 7" long Sears Hand Plane, I use this for all my rough planing. I don't really care about it too much. I'm planning on grinding the iron into a scrub plane for the initial smoothing of the pallet boards I use for many projects.My Favorite Users are my Transitionals  Siegley #31 Transitional Jointer Plane 24". Stanley #37 (Jenny) plane 13". This is my most used plane, I like it most of all. Molding planes. The only picture I have is the Before shot. The bodies cleaned up really well but I have not had enough time to tune the irons yet.Other Stuff   Union Hardware Socket Chisel. I still need to clean this up, sharpen and make a new handle for this. I picked up a 1" wide, about 12" long socket chisel at an estate sale. I think it's called a Firmer chisel. I need to make a new handle for this as well. Spoke Shave. This is one of the other few items that I purchased new. This is a hand crank grinder. I picked it up at an estate sale for $5. It wouldn't even turn when I got it. Spent a while taking it all apart and cleaning it. I didn't realize until later that you have to use some Gasket sealer between the two sides when re-assembling as the oil just sits in the bottom and is brought up while turning. I picked up a 6" Norton 3x grinding wheel which makes quick work of sharpening and shaping.  My shop mallet. I made this out of some heavy pallet boards. I'm pretty sure the head is oak but the Handle I'm unsure of. Possibly a form of Eucalyptus. |
