Thread: Anarchists cutting back on tools

Originally Posted by Woodwould

If I'm allowed to count sets of chisels, screwdrivers, drill bits etc. as 'one' tool, then yes, I can juuuuuust squeeze under my thirty (hand) tool claim.

And the spare leads for your propelling pencil set may count as one tool too!

Between the metric, imperial, whitworth tool sets, let alone taps and dies, I'm glad this is just cabinet-making tools...

Originally Posted by Blue-deviled

Between the metric, imperial, whitworth tool sets, let alone taps and dies, I'm glad this is just cabinet-making tools...

What... you haven't discovered Metrinch?

Originally Posted by Woodwould

What... you haven't discovered Metrinch?

Dumped 'em and got a shifter.

Well, the mystery parcel in question did indeed contain the book, along with some stuff that Josh had ordered, (which is why I chose not to open it), so now I have to stand in-line to read it, although I've been treated to a succession of quotes during the afternoon in the workshop. I work while he reads....

Probably the best so far, is a handy hint on how to make in-fill planes, in the section where he describes various planes he refers to infill planes as being infused with "mystical hooey".... damn, that's the ingredient I've been looking for. Where can you buy "mystical hooey" does it come in 20L drums?... might be a hot seller on ebay.

Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

Probably the best so far, is a handy hint on how to make in-fill planes, in the section where he describes various planes he refers to infill planes as being infused with "mystical hooey".... damn, that's the ingredient I've been looking for. Where can you buy "mystical hooey" does it come in 20L drums?... might be a hot seller on ebay.
Regards
Ray

Try your local parliamentarian (or failing that, the Murdoch press)
Cheers,
Jim

Think I just might keep on collecting 'em. It'll be hard but that's what I'm good at.
Had a local blacksmith make me up a very nice canthook the other day.
Works too.
Best,
richie

Originally Posted by RayG

Well, the mystery parcel in question did indeed contain the book............
Probably the best so far, is a handy hint on how to make in-fill planes, in the section where he describes various planes he refers to infill planes as being infused with "mystical hooey".... damn, that's the ingredient I've been looking for. Where can you buy "mystical hooey" does it come in 20L drums?... might be a hot seller on ebay.

Regards
Ray

Ray,
I've heard about that stuff...the "mystical hooey"....Very expensive stuff.
Apparently the market for it has been cornered. Sadly, we won't be getting any of it.

Think I know where it all is.....it can turn a very effective, simple wooden nosing plane into something like this....
SE Crowning Plane - What's New - Tools - Bridge City Tool Works

Regards,
Peter

Originally Posted by lightwood

Ray,

Think I know where it all is.....it can turn a very effective, simple wooden nosing plane into something like this....
SE Crowning Plane - What's New - Tools - Bridge City Tool Works

Regards,
Peter

Hi Peter,

I get mixed feelings whenever I look at BC stuff, it seems as if they are trying to manufacture their own "mystical hooey" , not my cup of tea I'm afraid, but at the same time I can't help but admire the engineering...

BC isn't the "real stuff" I'm afraid.

Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by Blue-deviled

I haven't seen anybody else mention Christopher Schwarz's new book, The Anarchist's Tool Chest Restricting the kit to 48 tools (or less) may be a little too much for some people.

However, with spring approaching, I'm ordering a copy!

Hi BD

I haven't read the CS book (and really have little desire to purchase it), but many have posted the list of tools he recommends as well as discussed his words, and so I am familiar with his rationale. My understanding from a distance is that this book is about (1) his personal journey, (2) the tools that he finds useful, and (3) They had to fit into his toolbox.

Personally, I don't know what all the fuss is about. Whether one owns 48 or 4.8 different tools, it is only possible to use one tool at a time. The measure of a craftsman is how he manages that tool.

One must not forget that Chris Schwarz is a hobbiest woodworker. As such he spends a great deal of time thinking about, writing about, and evaluating tools (especially some BIG tools, such as work benches). How many of us do the same? Professionals, on the other hand, do not - tools are a means to an end. Not for fun. How unfortunate for them

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by lightwood

Think I know where it all is.....it can turn a very effective, simple wooden nosing plane into something like this....
SE Crowning Plane - What's New - Tools - Bridge City Tool Works

Regards,
Peter

Oh no, it's the Terminator's foot all over again (no, that was a block plane wasnt it). What exactly is a crowning plane?

Cheerio,
Virg.

PS I don't know how many tools I have. I do know that I have two Chris Schwarz book. I wonder how many of them one needs, and just how big the book box will be...?

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Hi BD

I haven't read the CS book (and really have little desire to purchase it), but many have posted the list of tools he recommends as well as discussed his words, and so I am familiar with his rationale. My understanding from a distance is that this book is about (1) his personal journey, (2) the tools that he finds useful, and (3) They had to fit into his toolbox.

Personally, I don't know what all the fuss is about. Whether one owns 48 or 4.8 different tools, it is only possible to use one tool at a time. The measure of a craftsman is how he manages that tool.

One must not forget that Chris Schwarz is a hobbiest woodworker. As such he spends a great deal of time thinking about, writing about, and evaluating tools (especially some BIG tools, such as work benches). How many of us do the same? Professionals, on the other hand, do not - tools are a means to an end. Not for fun. How unfortunate for them

Regards from Perth

Derek

No photos of tools this time?

I suppose I fall into the category of 'professional' as I used my tools in my profession of thirty plus years. My tools were workhorses, but I had immense fun with them – I still do – and if I had ceased to enjoy them I would have changed vocation. Oh, hold on... ... there!

In case you are interested, I have added to my review of the book in this thread. This time I consider how Schwarz sets out his explanation of his tool list

Originally Posted by lightwood

Ray,
I've heard about that stuff...the "mystical hooey"....Very expensive stuff.
Apparently the market for it has been cornered. Sadly, we won't be getting any of it.

Think I know where it all is.....it can turn a very effective, simple wooden nosing plane into something like this....
SE Crowning Plane - What's New - Tools - Bridge City Tool Works

Regards,
Peter

Lawks Peter, that's quite a plane. I thought the price wasn't too high for something so shiny...until I read further and realised it was the price of the box I'd noticed.

Maybe I'll curtail the mystical hooey hunt, and find myself some magic tool beans instead

cheers,
B-D

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Hi BD

I haven't read the CS book (and really have little desire to purchase it), but many have posted the list of tools he recommends as well as discussed his words, and so I am familiar with his rationale. My understanding from a distance is that this book is about (1) his personal journey, (2) the tools that he finds useful, and (3) They had to fit into his toolbox.

Personally, I don't know what all the fuss is about. Whether one owns 48 or 4.8 different tools, it is only possible to use one tool at a time. The measure of a craftsman is how he manages that tool.

One must not forget that Chris Schwarz is a hobbiest woodworker. As such he spends a great deal of time thinking about, writing about, and evaluating tools (especially some BIG tools, such as work benches). How many of us do the same? Professionals, on the other hand, do not - tools are a means to an end. Not for fun. How unfortunate for them

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hey Derek,

Indeed, the number of tools that anybody else has isn't an issue. However, the number of superfluous tools that I freely admit to accumulating (and I will confess to having a particular soft spot for infill planes and backsaws) has become silly. With a young family (aside from other less important commitments such as work), I have limited time for woodwork, and anything that distracts from what little time I get to spend making wood smaller has become increasingly annoying. So, the publication of a book that seems to be running along a similar vein of thought to one I've been considering, is interesting to me. After all, I'm sure most of us would rather knock out a few pieces approaching Woodwould's quality of work (not that I'm saying that the Lord of Wood actually, er, knocks them out) with a ballast-free tool collection, than have a massive array of tools that impedes production by its sheer bulk, or becomes the end, rather than the means.

Does Chris really qualify as a hobbyist? If so, he seems to have gained that enviable state of turning his hobby into his profession.

cheers,
BD