Funny you should publish this article tonight. Just yesterday I wanted to change my Ridgid oscillating sander from belt sander mode to spindle sander mode but the locking knob was so tight that I couldn't turn it by hand. I tried a pair of vise grips but realized that it was just tearing the rubber cover off the knob, so I grabbed a scrap piece of the birch wood I was working with and traced out the outline of the knob, cut it out and fitted it to the knob and now I have a home -made wrench for all future problems.
That’s a great little plane, Vic. I made one similar to it a couple of years ago from a piece of figured walnut that was gifted to me specifically for that reason. It adds another dimension to making your own tools: when I pick it up I remember that thoughtful gift and the person who gave it.
What I find I love about wooden hand planes made to fit your hand is that they become less of a tool to wield and more of an extension of your hand. Something so special about that.
I love looking at Woodpeckers catalogs. They make lots of thoughtful well-designed tools. But I haven’t purchased one yet. Most of the tools are tools that I can make and that is what I do. I make my own version. I started doing this because I didn’t want to spend the money. But I have developed the appreciation that you describe and I realize that I make many tools for the pleasures you outline. Thank you for another insightful post!
Great article! So true that there’s great satisfaction in using a tool you’ve built to build a piece. I’ve made a marking gauge (Bob Van Dyke design), winding sticks with inlay, a “big ash mallet” (from a Woodwright’s Shop episode you can find at PBS), a couple of straight-edges (“Euclid’s Door:….” book by Tolpin and Walker) and made a block plane from a Hock kit (Lee Valley) after talking with Ron Hock about them as he demo’d at Handworks. Love using that thing - and you’ve inspired me to build another. Thanks for sharing!
I’m one more good article away from an Online Metals impulse purchase of O1 sheet stock. Thank you for sharing.
Funny you should publish this article tonight. Just yesterday I wanted to change my Ridgid oscillating sander from belt sander mode to spindle sander mode but the locking knob was so tight that I couldn't turn it by hand. I tried a pair of vise grips but realized that it was just tearing the rubber cover off the knob, so I grabbed a scrap piece of the birch wood I was working with and traced out the outline of the knob, cut it out and fitted it to the knob and now I have a home -made wrench for all future problems.
Well alright!
That’s a great little plane, Vic. I made one similar to it a couple of years ago from a piece of figured walnut that was gifted to me specifically for that reason. It adds another dimension to making your own tools: when I pick it up I remember that thoughtful gift and the person who gave it.
What I find I love about wooden hand planes made to fit your hand is that they become less of a tool to wield and more of an extension of your hand. Something so special about that.
Enjoy the class!
I agree. Wooden tools are special and come to the hand differently. Especially if you’ve made it yourself. 🙌
I love looking at Woodpeckers catalogs. They make lots of thoughtful well-designed tools. But I haven’t purchased one yet. Most of the tools are tools that I can make and that is what I do. I make my own version. I started doing this because I didn’t want to spend the money. But I have developed the appreciation that you describe and I realize that I make many tools for the pleasures you outline. Thank you for another insightful post!
Come up with shop-made solutions is the best! Thanks Paul!
Great article! So true that there’s great satisfaction in using a tool you’ve built to build a piece. I’ve made a marking gauge (Bob Van Dyke design), winding sticks with inlay, a “big ash mallet” (from a Woodwright’s Shop episode you can find at PBS), a couple of straight-edges (“Euclid’s Door:….” book by Tolpin and Walker) and made a block plane from a Hock kit (Lee Valley) after talking with Ron Hock about them as he demo’d at Handworks. Love using that thing - and you’ve inspired me to build another. Thanks for sharing!
That’s a great collection of hand made tools! Now, make more! 🙌
As an aside I have tools my grandfather made, using those always brings a smile.
That is truly special.