Hello, Billy...

I'm a novice myself intend on doing most all work with hand tools. I'm also unemployed and rather poor so I had no choice when I began but to use some of the tools that I had already and some left behind by my landlady's late father including a 15 year old worn out table saw. The main task for me wasn't to buy better or more expensive tools, the task was to learn the basic use of the basic tools that I will be using. I sold a few things that I had and no longer needed on eBay and bought a couple of Japanese hand saws: a detail saw for small, fine work and a single blade razor saw that I use for most everything and taught myself how to cut a straight line, sight across the cut line and square the saw with it. The next tool that I learned to use is a chisel. The best one that I have is a lower-priced Stanley 1/4" bench chisel that I use for a lot of work as well. It takes an edge pretty well and I've learned how to take a little bit off at a time, always see where the edge is, and drive a square straight cut. I also practice on scrap wood with the tools that I have. I spent days learning how to lay out cut box joints and soon I want to practice making dovetail joints. When i get a job I'll start adding more and upgrading my tools. The lesson that I learned is that I don't need to buy a list of tools in order to make stuff. Using what I have and learning how to use what I have is more important than buying a lot of tools at once. Both being beginners, we can both learn together! Keep us posted on your projects and progress.

Russ