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

Starrett 4" Double Square

Head is easy to remove, replace, and lock down; narrowest blade, at 5⁄8 in., made it easier to fit into tight places; hard to read under bright lights.

Buy at Woodcraft Buy at Amazon

Bahco 6-Inch Card Scraper

The size and thickness are what matter here. A consistent performer, this Bahco scraper is found in many shops we visit.

Buy at Amazon

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

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