Thread: 3 One Thumb

Grunt

As an apprentice we were taught this at Tafe as well as at work.

This goes for all sorts of tools. Saws, planes and others I can't think of at the moment.

Originally Posted by Grunt

See the 2 pictures where I'm holding a tool. I know I've got girly programmers hands and this post leaves plenty of opportunities for tool jokes.

I've got a few gay friends and not even the female ones have hands that look that soft.
Yes, I use the same grip when handling a saw to minimise lateral movement. I learned it from one of those shows like Big Strong Boys.
I think it's been taught like that for a long time because my father uses the same grip on a saw. He was in the building trade in England just after the war .

Originally Posted by adrian

I've got a few gay friends and not even the female ones have hands that look that soft.
.

I wasnt going to mention it, but now that someone else has............
Hmmmmmm Swtheetie........

Al :eek:

How bout gettin those "girl poofter programmers hands" dirty and clean up that rust starting to form on the side of that plane!

How bout gettin those "girly programmers hands" dirty and clean up that rust starting to form on the side of that plane!

Why, it aint' like I'm going to actually use it.

Yep that's how I was taught to hold a saw many moons ago in school woodwork.

I still hold it like that so I must have been paying attention for once

"Why, it aint' like I'm going to actually use it."

The darkside force 's are very strong... one day it shall control your mind and make you do things the hard way!

The darkside force 's are very strong... one day it shall control your mind and make you do things the hard way

That's why it's called the dark side.

I was taught to use all hand tools that way. The reason: every one can point straight and that is what the finger down the side is for.

Least, that is why I do it.

I hold my tools that way, even the electric ones. 'Cept a hammer and other preceision tools like a crow bar.

It's interesting that I've never seen "3 One thumb" in a book or any of the woodworking shows. Is it an Aussie thing?

Originally Posted by

I was taught to use all hand tools that way. The reason: every one can point straight and that is what the finger down the side is for.

Least, that is why I do it.

That was the explanation I was given when I had the temerity to ask the woodwork teacher - O those many years ago!.

I've read several times over the years since that this technique assists you to keep moving the tool in a straight line - along with the other important part: looking slightly ahead of where you want the tool to travel (eg, when sawing - look at the line not the tool). You body will follow where your eyes point just as the rest of your arm will follow where your index finger points. That's the theory and it seems to be practised by a majority of the tradies I've observed.

Col

Grunt,
I learnt the same method 30 years ago at school in South Africa. Now I live in the northern suburbs of Perth, possibly close to the school that you attended and I have girly programmer hands like you - strange ... very strange.
Regards
Les

I grew up around North Beach and Trigg. Went to school at Carine. Got my programmers hands in Perth and they moved with me when I moved to Melbourne.

I also have always used tools in that way, simply because it felt like the right thing to do... dont think I was ever brainwashed into doing it btw what ARE woodworkers hands supposed to look like?????