One of the secrets to accurate work is in marking out your cut lines. I was taught to use a square and a carpenters pencil when I first started. However a marking knife is far more accurate and can also be used to form a cutting guide (or kerf) for the saw. This prevents tear […]
Hand tools
Moulding plane basics
Wooden moulding planes are relatively easy and quick to use. The modern electric router is capable of making the same shapes, however a well tuned wooden moulder can complete the work in the same time as it takes to set the electric router up (and with 1/100th of mess to clean up).You can pick up […]
Holdfast there
Holding your work piece in place whilst you cut, chop or drill it is a critical part of wood working. There are numerous devices out there to assist you. Some are multifunctional others are more like one trick ponies. One of the most useful is the bench holdfast. Whilst essentially a primitive device, it works […]
On Drilling – Egg beaters
The humble but trusty egg beater drill is often eschewed in favour of a power drill, but they are often easier to use on small jobs, so should be an essential piece of kit for a woodworker . They come in many shapes and sizes . These are my most commonly used drills. The top […]
On Drilling – Shell bits
Shell bits are one of the oldest types of bit you will find, they have even been found in Viking era graves. The ones above probably date from the early 1800s as they are designed to fit a hand brace with a tapered square chuck. Shell bits and their more substantial big brother, the spoon […]
On Drilling – Auger bits
Auger bits come in various designs, but they all excel at one thing. Making a clean hole in timber quickly . Here we have three common types: Left – Russell Jennings type auger Center – Irwin type auger Right – Cook type auger The Jennings and Irwin are similar in cutting action and both have […]
A Case for Augers
An alternative to the traditional roll up canvas auger bit case. Some sets of auger bits were sold in rather fancy wooden boxes. I decided to try making my own to transport my auger bits when working away from my workshop. The starting point for this project is a length of oak of suitable […]
Irish Pattern Chariot Plane Restoration
It is not often you come across a 18th Century hand plane that has not been used. These types of plane were often sold as unfinished castings to journeyman carpenters, who would finish them to their own requirements and style. This one never quite got finished for some reason. Not so much a restoration, it’s […]