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Early Access Video: Power Tools for the Hand Tool Shop (Patreon)

Published:
2019-09-21 16:22:34
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Friends: 

Today, we're trying something a little different. You know I'm all about hand-tools, but some of that work is just drudgery. There are aspects of my work that I really like to outsource to machines. 

I think even the most die-hard neanderthal might consider adding a couple of small machine tools to the shop. These tools aren't very dangerous and they can help you save time for the stuff that matters most. 

It's food for thought. 

Happy Saturday!


--Rex 

Files

Previews only

Power Tools for the Hand Tool Woodshop

More video and exclusive content: Get the FREE Tip Sheet: Tools in this Video:

Comments

Bill Smithem
>>27066970

No idea where it came from. It was old when my father got it back in 1960. I've been using it off and on for almost 60 years. It's mine now.

Michael Ross

Hi Rex, We are converging on the same tool choices. The pride that comes from never lifting a power tool wanes when I spend more time than I can find in my 9 hour a day occupational routine.

Michael Ross
>>27072942

I still want to work up my own lumber without buying a giant band saw, but I keep reducing the size of the logs I try to use. I have 4 foot frame saw, but If you use it on a 5 foot long by 20 inch diameter log, just holding it still becomes a real challenge. I happily use a drill press (a bequest), I have a bench grinder, I have cordless tools, sometimes the horrible angle grinder is just necessary for fixtures, I don't use lanterns and torches, I have a bunch of freebie floor lamps with LED bulbs in them. I think a band saw fits in the mix to save time for hand work. But that pretty much covers it. My table saw is covered with stuff fro months and months, and my jointer is off in a junky corner. I never turn on a router. Biscuit morticer never comes out of its box; I have time to dig out a few mortices. I do use the chop saw for rough carpentry that is ex garage. When I do rough woodwork off premise I find that hand tool skills are really useful. People snicker when the plane, hand saw, or chisel comes out, but all is quiet when it is obvious how fast they can be. to be sure

James Boatright

Bench grinder, cordless drill, cordless impact screwdriver, circular saw, angle grinder, dremel. I bought my most recent cordless tools as a pair from home depot when a Makita set was being discontinued for $69. Grinder and circular saw were the result of garage saling for a few weeks for $10 each. Angle grinder is fron a pawn shop, as is the dremel.

MOHMMAD SAAD

Recently I bought a bandsaw It's a game changer. I think it's the only power tool that has no equivalent in hand tools world.

Jim Williams

For the basics, those are good ones to have. After that, it becomes a case of how much money can I get from the wife. :) A side benefit to a random orbital sander is the you can keep the dust and make your own wood putty that matches your project. Dust + Elmer's Glue = Putty! I got that somewhere on the internet, so it must be true.

Nic Beurskens

Impact, table saw, good plunge router, chop saw, random orbital. I framed in highschool and have hung onto most of my power tools. I keep the sander with 150 grit to break up planes surfaces when the finish calls for it. The only power tool I use for finish stuff is the router, it's amazing how useful they can be for waste removal. I also cut circles with the router. You nailed it when you said you get to spend more time on the hand tools with a few good power tools. My table saw and chop saw help me break down and dimension stock so I can get into my absolute favorite part of woodworking: joinery!

The Poor Man

I can get behind the drills and the sander, but I've been terrified to touch a bench grinder since I was 22. About 14 years ago (as I'm 36 now) I worked maintenance in an iron foundry (awesome job btw) and one day while using the shop grinder I got my hand pulled into it nearly lost my left ring finger and pinky. I've used them since but they still scare the crap out of me. I wonder if an angle grinder and a vice could be used in place of the grinder (just no wire wheels those things fly to pieces on angle grinders). Not going to lie I was worried if you were going to mention like a table saw or a sliding miter saw, maybe even a circular saw and am so happy you didn't, would be hand tooling it anymore.

The Poor Man
>>27075228

I actually used this method but with titebond 3 and it does work wonders, you can even add a bit of stain to it, if you notice something after getting 3/4 of the way through finish. Not going to lie with or without the stain it smells GOD AWFUL during the drying process so make sure you have plenty of ventilation otherwise you will have a painfully massive migraine for a few hours.

Adrian Abshire

It just dawned on me where I can build and actually use these tools! I have a motorhome in Maryland where I’m working. I took all my ‘good’ tools home but will now start making these hand tools when I am at the RV! Thanks for all your videos!

Adrian Abshire

Quick question: my wife really wants to do scroll work - can I use a band saw and which size would be good to start? I want a BIG bandsaw to Re Saw some lumber with or at least dream about cutting raw lumber down with it... which size / brand would you recommend (money is not a big hinderance and I would rather buy good stuff than have to replace it later). ROOM is a challenge in our two-car garage workshop... maybe I should save my money and build that shop I always wanted instead of buying tools!!! Lol

James Boatright

You can reduce vibration in sanders by wrapping the top with a pound of wire and wrapping it with duct tape. The paper vibrates. The top doesnt mostly.

Rex Krueger
>>27072942

You're in the same position I am; I want the skills and the portability of hand tools, but some things are just faster with a little help. The balance is tricky. On one side, you're an unthinking traditionalist, on the other, you're letting the robots to everything.

Rex Krueger
>>27075138

I totally agree. My bandsaw is the only tool I own that I can't really replicate with hand-tools. I once heard someone refer to it as the "apprentice replacer" I laughed.

Rex Krueger
>>27080823

That's really interesting. I've never had a moment's trouble with my grinder. Then again, I never had a problem with my table saw until I stuck my thumb in it. I'll be careful.

Rex Krueger
>>27081080

I think if she wants to do scroll work, she's going to need a scroll saw. They're really cheap and easy to find. You can do some scroll work on a bandsaw; just get the skinniest blade you can find.

The Poor Man
>>27080823

I was being lazy, I didn't check to see if the guard had been moved away from the grinding wheel and just went to fixing my flathead and wham, I've always checked the guard before I've had to use one since, before I moved back to Michigan I had an old wizard tool company bench grinder but I never really used for anything other than a lawnmower blade or two, for most things I pulled out my file or some sandpaper. I think having a healthy respect for power tools is a good thing, but it shouldn't stop you from using them. One day I'll get back on that horse but for now I'll sit in the bleachers and let others ride.

Howard Tuckey

Thanks for this one, Rex! I was (almost) feeling guilty about using power tools in conjunction with the hand tools I also have, to build the bench and some of the projects you and others have posted here on Youtube and Patreon. For the workbench, I would love to be able to use the plane to level and smooth the top, but at 77, and with some serious health issues, I don't think I would be able to do that. So I'm planning to build a surfacing jig, and will do the smoothing/leveling with my big plunge router, then finishing it with a belt or orbital sander. I'm also re-purposing a solid core door as a first bench/work table to use as a base for the glue-up of the $30 bench. My son-in-law wonders why I need "two workbenches?" I hope to be able to show him the difference before long! And I'm with you 100% on the drill and driver - I have that same DeWalt combo, as well as a 14 volt DeWalt saw that works just fine for what I need to cut plywood panels that are too big to do comfortably on the table saw. A sacrificial (reuseable) sheet of foam insulation flat on my worktable provides the support I need for that, as well as protection for my benchtop. Anyway, thanks again for your videos - excellent, informative, and entertaining content indeed!

Duncan

I love you shot the video with a nice drill press in the background. Great video!

A1BASE
>>27072942

Routers are amazing tools. You’d be amazed at the precision of work you can do with them. A planar thicknesser and bandsaw / circular saw on a track let’s me break down almost all sizes of stock.

Rex Krueger
>>27095630

No guilt needed! What matters is getting the work done. If you have physical limitations (and most people do) then power tools are the obvious solution. I don't stress hand tools in my shop because I think they're more "pure" or some nonsense like that. I focus on hand tools because they're compact, affordable, and safe. They make woodwork accessible for people who might not get into the craft otherwise. Your power tools keep you in the game, so they're great!

Jim Williams
>>27075228

That sort of thing might be a good video subject. Tips and tricks of the Master.

William Allen

My garage came with a really cheap bench grinder. That was 30 years ago. I'm a farmer, I use that thing every day, yes, every day. Did I mention it was free? I have a hand cranked drill press, and a pair of braces, and an egg beater drill for small holes. I also have a cordless drill, which I use a lot. If I need a clean precise hole, hand tools, if the hole will be filled or hidden, I use the electric drill. I use to wish I had band saw, and then I bought a frame saw. I simply can't afford a band saw right now. There's really no point in buying a hobby band saw, if you need a band saw it's for knocking big stock down to smaller part. So, I bought a frame saw blade from blackburn tools. I made the saw, and gave it a shot, OMG!!! For ripping straight stock down it is way faster than any band saw I've ever seen. Wow. I also got two Disston Crosscut saw, a 14 and an 8. They are fast, 10 strokes and a 1x8 is cut perfectly to length. I also bought the Bosch random orbit sander, and I use vibration gloves when using it. Even though I can get awesome smoothness with a hand plane, a lot of projects need a quick finishing sanding after final assembly to remove any assembly dings and bangs. The random orbit is just great for that, once I'm done with it, I use a quick hand sand with the grain to remove any remaining scratches from the random orbit. Bench Grinder, Cordless Drill, Random Orbit Sander, check, and I could not but fail to agree with you more.

Rex Krueger
>>27124614

Man, I really need to build a frame saw (or three). I'm glad to hear you like the blackburn blades. I've been looking at those.

Ryan Roberts

I have a table saw, band saw, scroll saw, drill press, bench grinder, angle grinder, miter saw, jig saw, belt sander, random orbit sander, cordless and corded drills, and quite a few others I'm sure I missed that I've accumulated over the years and I'm trying not to use any of them right now. Not that I have anything against using power tools, I love them. When I decided I wanted to get into fine woodworking though I decided I also need to get the hand tools that go with it and learn with those. You can learn so much more about the wood with hand tools than power tools. I guess I'll wipe the dust off the power tools when I'm ready for them again haha

Rex Krueger
>>27177014

Man, we're really on the same page! I own all the toys, but since I've been doing WW4H, I've kind of been learning the craft all over again. It really is instructive to slow down and think harder about how the wood wants to be cut. Good luck in your journey!

Ryan Roberts

Thanks! Next step is to build a shooting board so that I can finish up a box I started making. Kinda jumped the gun on that one haha need to get the ends squared up so I can start cutting the dovetails and finishing the box. Still not sure what I can use the box for as it's quite small but it's a practice piece either way. I also left it quite thick so I can try my hand at some carving on it as well. Inside dimensions of the box are roughly 3x5 inches and about 5.5 inches deep. 3/4 white oak firewood from work so it was free

A1BASE

I used to have a bench grinder and it’s been superseded by a 48” belt grinder. It does everything a bench grinder does, better, and is infinitely flexible.

Rex Krueger
>>27181470

I have a 6 inch grinder, but I would really kill for a 2x72 or 48. We use those at my smithing club and they are fantastic!

Ryan Roberts
>>27181470

I would love to have one but my bench grinder was free and does just fine for what I use it for. Maybe once i build a shop out back I'll find a reason to justify buying one though haha

Mark L

I'm hanging onto and continue to use my portable table saw. I truly enjoy using a hand saw--unless I'm ripping a five or six foot length of rough stock. The table saw with the assistance of an outfield roller is a huge time saver. I've considered a band saw as a table saw alternative, but my very first formal job was working in my uncle's grocery store. One of my regular Saturday duties was helping to clean the butcher shop. Roy, the eight-fingered butcher never allowed me to touch the band saw. He said it was personal. The impression has been lasting.

Rex Krueger
>>27233772

Yeah, stories like that make my blood run cold. One thing about band-saws is that you can make them a bit safer my using a finer blade. A 10 tpi curve-cutting blade is a lot safer than a big 3 tpi resaw blade.