How-To

Hand Tool Skills

Free online extras for our newsstand-only publication featuring expert hand-tool advice and demonstrations

By Fine Woodworking editors #199–July/Aug 2008 Issue

Hand Tool Skills is a special collection of the best articles from FWW. It includes inside information that will help you buy the right tools and use them to achieve the best results in your shop.

The in-depth videos listed here will augment the great articles in Hand Tool Skills. These Web-only features include hand tool demos as well as information on sharpening, tune up, repair, carving, and much more.

HANDPLANE CLINIC

Handplanes Essentials Award-winning furniture-maker Philip C. Lowe answers eight common questions about choosing and using handplanes.
Tune Up a New Plane Chris Gochnour shows how to tune up a block plane for flawless performance.

CHISELS AND GOUGES

All About Chisels
Contributing editor Garrett Hack answers readers’ questions about chisels.

Easy-To-Carve Diamond Beading
Charles Shackleton takes you step-by-step through carving an elegant diamond beading.

In a separate, subscribers-only video Shackleton also demonstrates how to carve a simple rosette.

SCRAPING MADE EASY

Card Scraper Basics:
Part I and Part II
Renowned chair-maker Brian Boggs demonstrates his surefire techniques for both tuning and using a card scraper.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Tite-Mark Marking Gauge

These gauges can be easily and precisely adjusted with one hand, which allows you to set the tool while holding a ruler or workpiece in the other. The quality is exceptional, and all have sharp cutters that offer great visibility.

Buy at Lie-Nielsen Toolworks

Veritas Micro-Adjust Wheel Marking Gauge

The adjuster runs through the beam from a small knob at the back end right to the cutting wheel, which moves in and out as you turn the knob. This arrangement works well but makes adjustments a two-handed operation, requiring a little more effort.

Buy at Lee Valley

Veritas Precision Square

This precision square is incredibly versatile, from checking squareness to dialing in machine setups.

Buy at Lee Valley

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