• Shop the Store
  • Best Sellers
  • eBooks
  • Books
  • Plans

  • Videos
  • Tools & Workshops
  • SketchUp

  • Finishing
  • Turning
  • Joinery
• Books
• Plans
• Videos
• Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Give a gift

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Issue
  • Online Extras

  • Magazine Index
  • Contact Us
• Subscribe
• Renew

• Blogs
• Knots
• Gallery

The Editors Mailbox

UPDATE: Book Giveaway: Choosing & Using Hand Tools

Betsy Engel, contributor

4 users recommend

Buy this book here

Photo: Courtesy of Lark Books

Add Comment
Print

Choosing & Using Hand Tools by Andy Rae.
Lark Books, 2008
$17.95; 208pp.

Choosing & Using Hand Tools by Andy Rae starts with a chapter on buying and caring for tools, then seems to cover every hand tool you might need including holdfasts, prying and drilling tools, rasps, scrapers, planes and saws. The book also includes lots of helpful color photos illustrating how best to use a tool and how to keep it sharp and in good working condition. There is even info on making some of your own precision tools.

Lucky MrHudin is this week's winner! His comment was chosen at random.

Click here for a chance to win this week's giveaway, Traditional American Rooms by Brent Hull and Christine G.H. Franck.

Add Comment Print

Fine Woodworking Author Quoted in New York Times

Back to List

Sam Maloof: 1916-2009

Comments (54)

johnmoorhead writes: This would be a great addition to the High School Wood Shop Library. So far I have had three freshman ask "What's a Hammer" when I asked them to bring me one. 'nuff said.

John Moorhead
Clear Lake High School
Lakeport CA
Posted: 9:15 pm on September 18th

poplin writes: I would love to win a copy--thanks!
Posted: 7:51 pm on May 29th

xirebos writes: Raising hand politely.
Posted: 10:23 pm on May 27th

GoRedsUS writes: Would be a great addition to my library.
Posted: 12:20 pm on May 23rd

WouldWorker writes: I'm in
Posted: 9:06 am on May 22nd

Palotito writes: It's always a wonderful experience to use hand tools! I'm moving more and more to them. Congratulations to Andy for his book. Pls, sign me up!
Posted: 1:58 am on May 22nd

emvark writes: Oh, this sounds like a fabulous book--thanks for the chance!

emvark at gmail dot com
Posted: 11:05 pm on May 21st

Matthew Lawrence writes: Books and tools. Tools and books. Even better, book about tools. I'd love a copy. Thanks.
Posted: 9:31 am on May 21st

MasterSarge writes: I have a small collection of hand planes that I haven't even started to tune up, yet alone use. Hoping to find the time!
Posted: 10:55 pm on May 20th

Tyblack writes: This looks like a great book i never know what is the best hand tool to use
Posted: 5:07 pm on May 20th

Boomer1001 writes: Sounds like a great book. As with all hand tools, precision comes with usage. Ones muscles must learn the nuance of the tool, like riding a bike. I am interested in the discussion of precision cuts. How the old masters did by hand what we use machines to do today.
Posted: 3:48 pm on May 19th

cs314 writes: Sounds good...
Posted: 11:35 am on May 19th

JLYoung writes: I've thumbed through this book several times and it's full of great stuff and beautiful pictures. I'd love to have a copy for myself. Count me in!
Posted: 11:18 am on May 19th

slydogx writes: sure, I'll have a copy
Posted: 10:06 pm on May 18th

chairmannz writes: There is always time to learn more about hand tools.
Hope this book will do this.
Posted: 7:39 pm on May 18th

jldevries writes: winner?
Posted: 5:41 pm on May 18th

bo5ephus writes: could always learn more about hand tools
Posted: 4:09 pm on May 18th

woodrae writes: My apologies, Ralph. No copper or flint. However, there's plenty of brass, bronze, steel and rosewood in the pages. Good luck!
Posted: 2:09 pm on May 18th

D11RDozer writes: I could certainly use the information that book is sure to provide. That and I could make a replica of the tool cabinet on the cover to enter the tool cabinet contest! :-)
Posted: 1:33 pm on May 18th

tman814 writes: Being one of the many beginning to have an interest in owning and using more hand tools, I think this would be a good book to have. And winning one would be even better.
Posted: 12:56 pm on May 18th

sk2tobin writes: I'd love to own this book. count me in

Posted: 12:41 pm on May 18th

granite36 writes: I'm hoping to get some ideas on the ideal turning tools and chisels.
Posted: 12:36 pm on May 18th

wolf23 writes: Sure, I'll go in for a chance to win.

When are we going to see a reprint of "The Essential Woodworker?" Used-book prices on this one are crazy.
Posted: 12:05 pm on May 18th

mrwonderful writes: I luvs han' toolz! Gimme da book paleez.
Posted: 10:52 am on May 18th

mike05 writes: books to me are the next best to working in the shop
Posted: 10:24 am on May 18th

philh writes: I'd love this book, I drool over it at the store all the time.
Posted: 9:57 am on May 18th

MrHudon writes: Never can have to many woodworking books!!
Posted: 9:33 am on May 18th

LBF writes: I have always found hand tools challenging. This would help immensely.
Posted: 9:32 am on May 18th

BUILDERS695 writes: I'm in
Posted: 9:18 am on May 18th

RockDoggy writes: I'm in! Looks like a good reference, I'd be glad to have this one.
Posted: 8:43 am on May 18th

PlaneandSimple writes: Sign me up!
Posted: 8:24 am on May 18th

fritzfratz writes: I seldom use hand tools because I've never really been taught how to use them. Andy Rae is a great writer and teacher so this book would really help me!
Posted: 7:39 am on May 18th

nznix writes: hi,
how to use handtools would be most useful.
Posted: 11:39 pm on May 17th

tommyd100 writes: Andy Rae is a great writer and I would enjoy this book.
Posted: 11:14 pm on May 17th

srtjase writes: It'd be nice to have this book.
Posted: 10:54 pm on May 17th

tazzer writes: I really,really,really need this book!
Posted: 10:12 pm on May 17th

jonnieboy writes: Is this like the givewaway on your home page, where I sign up for the Delta Unisaw seventeen times day?
Posted: 9:09 pm on May 17th

jonnieboy writes: Me! Me! I wanna win, I wanna win! Pick me! Ohhhpleeez...
Posted: 9:07 pm on May 17th

jonnieboy writes: What's a hand tool?

Posted: 9:06 pm on May 17th

benito writes: oops--my apologies...
Posted: 8:14 pm on May 17th

benito writes: I believe I'm due for a win; if not, this looks like one I might buy anyway. Books and tools, tools and books, these are why my wallet looks so empty.
Posted: 8:13 pm on May 17th

benito writes: I believe I'm due for a win; if not, this looks like one I might buy anyway. Books and tools, tools and books, these are why my wallet looks so empty.
Posted: 7:58 pm on May 17th

frank T writes: You can't have too many hand tools.
Posted: 6:55 pm on May 17th

RalphBarker writes: Does it cover the flint and copper tools I'm still using? ;-)
Posted: 5:37 pm on May 17th

DaveHarrison writes: I'm mainly a 'machine man' but some advice on using hand tools would be really useful.
Posted: 5:30 pm on May 17th

toobguy writes: I thoroughly enjoy reading these books, and Andy does a great job writing. Always looking for a chance to add to my library - and pick up something useful to use in the shop.
Posted: 4:29 pm on May 17th

picaraza writes: I'm in.
Posted: 4:28 pm on May 17th

Chrislac writes: Since I buy so many books from Taunton Press and I really need help with hand tools this would be a great addition for me.
Posted: 3:25 pm on May 17th

MikeLingenfelter writes: I'm always looking for a new book on hand tools.

Mike

Posted: 11:51 am on May 17th

pezeshki writes: Same here!
Posted: 11:39 am on May 17th

hubiedoo517 writes: I'm a big hand tool user and a big book worm. When you combine those two loves of mine, this woodworker is in heaven. Thanks for the chance to win the book....
Posted: 11:34 am on May 17th

Smith5963 writes: I'm in.
Posted: 11:08 am on May 17th

RVH writes: I use hand tools on every project.

RVH
Posted: 10:55 am on May 17th

baudi writes: Count me in!
Posted: 10:42 am on May 17th

You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.