Shoutout to a retired cabinetmaker I met at a garage sale last Saturday

He was selling off his old chisels and talked to me for almost an hour. Told me he never used a single domino joiner in 45 years, just dovetails and dados. Said 'you kids rely too much on batteries and lasers.' Made me think about how much faster I go now but how much more sturdy his stuff probably is. Any of you ever slow down and try doing a whole job with just hand tools?

2 comments

2 Comments

aaron_flores844d agoTop Commenter

Last summer I spent a weekend building a nightstand with nothing but a No. 5 plane and a set of vintage Marples chisels I got off eBay for 30 bucks. Took me three times as long as normal and my wife kept asking if I was actually working or just playing around. But every time I sit down in my shop and see that thing, I run my hand over the joints and they're tighter than anything I've pushed through the Domino. Old guy was probably right about the batteries part, but I wouldn't trade my cordless drill for a brace and bit. Compromise is using power tools for the rough cuts and hand tools for the joinery.

hugog434d ago

@aaron_flores84 ever try a shooting board for final fit? Game changer with hand tools.