Hand Tools and Tool Making

Oil Stones

Leif — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:54:59 -0400

A brief overview of some of the more common oil stones being used today... as a preface to the sharpening gouges article.

Some additional references: The Museum of Woodworking Tools has an excellent Guide to Honing and Sharpening available on their web site. Much of the information below is similar to what you will find there, with the only real difference being that I am sharpening a gouge, rather than a chisel. Also, the Norton Abrasives company has a consumer web site available that addresses many questions.

Tools Needed

Hand Saw Basics

Leif — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:40:29 -0400

There are 3 separate sections to this article, as you can see above - I've provided links to the various sections at the beginning and end of each section, so the reader can skip over parts they have read or aren't interested in and get directly to the part they want to see. There is also a "NEXT" link at the top and bottom right of the page for those who want to go through it all sequentially.

Jonathan's "Saw Chops"

Leif — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:27:59 -0400

The following dialogue is taken from portions of email conversations I had with fellow woodworker Jonathan Skipsey, whom I've corresponded with regularly for quite a while now. These particular quotes are in relation to a discussion we carried on concerning saw vises - Jonathan had seen field built vises and was considering making one for himself. I thought it might be of help to others, so asked if I could add it here.

Riveted Split Nut Screwdrivers and Carving / Marking Knives

Leif — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 23:37:42 -0400

Here is a version of a split nut screwdriver appropriate for most classic split nuts, using a thin blade at its core. Thinner steels are not very well suited when using a tang to hold it in the handle. A better method for thinner steels is to rivet the two sides of a handle (or scales, as they are known to knife makers and blade smiths) onto each side of a blade that runs its full length, like the wooden scales on a steak knife.Now, I am no master blade smith (more like a bleating novice, to tell the truth), so may commit a great deal of heresy to those schooled in that discipline. If you are one of those, look away now! My main focus for doing this is to show a simple and economic way of constructing simple tools in a wood shop, with tools available to most woodworkers.Also, since the construction is similar and since I wanted to try making a couple marking/carving knives, so I will document those being made here in the same article. If you are interested in genuine blade smithing, I would point you to a few excellent online sources, including knivesby.com (look for the tutorials link) and also to read the articles on knife making by Terry Primos