Hand Tools, Hand Planes, and Chisels

Non-powered hand tools are still important to any woodworker, and often the only tools in many shops.  Power tools have taken over much of woodworking, but hand tools still have an important niche, especially to the craftsman.  The proper inter-working of  both powered tools and hand tools have opened woodcrafting to new hobbyist and new styles of woodworking.Guide to Hand ToolsMost Woodworkers who do not inherit a wood shop start with simple hand tools.  Having the right ones is a good start on your collection.Hand Tool Basics

Hand tools are still essential for any woodworker.  Power tools may adequately replace many hand tools, but some tasks are still best done my hand.  Some say aw true crafted piece can only be made by hand.

Hand Tools Introduction

Even basic tools have a variety of different types. Know which ones you should have in your tool box.

Hand Plane Basic

Planes are used to  shape, flatten, reduce the thickness, and impart a smooth surface to a rough piece of lumber.  When a wood  piece is large a shape planer can produce a flat inclined surface.

Using a Plane

Operating a plane uses a blade advancing mechanism for depth of cut and a right-left tilt for making the cutting edge straight.  Older planes often offer better positive control than newer planes.

The Wood Chisel

A wood chisel is  shaped cutting edge with a blade on its end for carving and cutting wood.  A wide selection of chisels are available, for the large range of possible tasks and variety of projects that are often completed with a chisel.

The Protection and Maintenance of Tools

The condition of your tools is important to the quality of your pieces. Your tools working correctly and efficiently add to the satisfaction of your efforts, but also ensure your safety.  You probably have spent a lot of time and money collecting your tools, and even more setting them up and arranging in your work space.  But it is just as importance to set up a routine maintenance program to assure everything is running correctly, are correctly sharpen, that calibration are true, and tool are clean.