Handplane Essentials

Everything you need to use your handplanes! There is no woodworking tool that's more satisfying, quick and precise to use as a handplane. Planes can process timber in its rough state, bring boards up to a glimmering smoothness, cut rabbets, dados, grooves and other joints, and trim wood with a precision that has yet to be matched by power tools. Yet many woodworkers--both beginners and professionals--are intimidated by choosing the right tool, sharpening its cutter and putting it to use. And that's why Christopher Schwarz wrote this book. Handplane Essentials contains everything you need to choose the right tool for your budget and projects, take it out of the box, sharpen it and use it successfully. The chapters in this book have been compiled from more than 10 years of the author's writing on the subject of handplanes in magazines, trade journals and blogs.

Everything you need to use your handplanes! No woodworking tool is more satisfying, quick and precise to use than a handplane. Planes can process timber in its rough state, bring boards up to a glimmering smoothness, cut rabbets, dados, grooves and other joints, and trim wood with a precision that has yet to be matched by power tools. Yet many woodworkers--both beginners and professionals--are intimidated by handplanes. This book is here to set the record straight. Handplane Essentials contains everything you need to choose the right plane for your project (and for your budget), sharpen it and use it successfully. Compiled from more than 15 years of the author's writings on the subject of handplanes in magazines, trade journals and blogs, this book is an indispensable guide for woodworkers. This revised edition includes 14 new articles as well as new and updated tool reviews.

Hack reveals the rich heritage of this classic tool by presenting a treasure trove of information about handplanes, focusing on the 19th and early 20th centuries. 175 photos. 152 drawings.

With this book and a well-chosen and correctly maintained set of planes, you will be able to handle any type of wood in every woodworking situation.

Once you master the use of handsaws, you'll be awed by the simple power of this humble tool. If you can see and follow a line - any line - you can cut the line. There's no need for crazy setups or jigs; just grab the right saw and start cutting - any angle, any shape. Complex joinery becomes no more than a series of lines to cut on your stock. Yet many woodworkers - both beginners and professionals - are intimidated by handsaws. Handsaw Essentials - compiled from more than a decade's worth of blog entries and magazine articles - will change that. Christopher Schwarz and the editors and contributors to Popular Woodworking help you choose the right saw for your budget and project, use it successfully and keep it cutting like new.

Of all the hand tools used in the modern shop, planes exert a special fascination. Though quite simple, planes are enormously versatile and practical when skillfully used. The articles in this book, collected from Fine Woodworking, illustrate a host of topics, including basic plane operation, how to choose the right plane for the job, and specialty planes. Step-by-step instructions show how to build wooden planes - a popular project for hand tool fans - and how to correctly tune and sharpen, essential for proper plane operation.

Sharp Tools Work Better! If you've never experienced the pleasure of using a really sharp tool, you're missing one of the real pleasures of woodworking. In The Perfect Edge, the mystery of the elusive sharp edge is solved by long-time sharpening expert and tool maker Ron Hock. You'll soon find how easy and safe hand tools are to use. This book covers all the different sharpening methods so you can either improve your sharpening techniques using your existing set-up, or determine which one will best suit you needs and budget. Ron shows you the tricks and offers expert advice to sharpen all your woodworking tools, plus a few around-the-house tools that also deserve a perfect edge.

Everything in its place.... Whether woodworking is your hobby or your profession, you'll get more enjoyment and satisfaction from the craft when you have a practical and functional workspace. The Practical Workshop is your guide to setting up a sensible shop with an efficient workflow and everything you need to make the best use of your time. From workbenches to shop furniture to storage solutions, this book covers the essentials. You'll learn strategies for machine and fixture placement. You'll discover ways to streamline your operations and get plans for all the shop furniture you need to outfit your space. • Get started with guidelines for putting together a basic toolkit and some quick sawhorses. • Focus your shop around a central workbench--you'll find complete plans for two benches, a gallery of bench designs and ideas for personalizing your workbench for your specific needs. • Get helpful advice for placing machinery and instructions for building shop furniture and fixtures. Woodworking can be a respite from the bustle of daily life, especially if your shop is well-organized and your tools are where they're supposed to be. This book can help you set up a great workspace, avoid clutter and get the most out of your woodworking.