Take one look at the hands of Eleanor Rose and you’ll see evidence of the hours she’s spent in wood and metal shops. As she says, “I’m more callus than girl at this point.” After going to college for woodworking and graduate school for metalworking, she’s made a living machining, casting bronze, making furniture, and creating wooden patterns. Though she has refurbished her fair share of tools, her artistry speaks when she’s making her own specialized tools. Here, she shares some of her favorites.

Replica of the iconic HO Studley mallet

Traditionally cast with a handmade pattern. Dainty and yet packs a punch. Rosewood, brass, beech.

Levels

Vaguely based on Stratton levels. Brass bound to help with wood movement (doesn’t hurt that it looks good).

Ornate level

This one is about 4 in. long. Nickel and gold plated brass. Interior has Delrin inserts that have slightly eccentric centers, allowing for easy releveling.

Stanley No. 1 cast bronze replica

Cast iron, brass, wood, steel. Every part of this was raw material when I started it. One of my proudest moments in making.

Mini frame saw

This is brass, steel, and grenadilla. Brass is tensioned via hundreds of light taps of a hammer before finish filing.

Scraper shave

Frequently known as a chair devil. This one is actually a permanent resident of Chris Schwarz’s tool chest (the anarchist one).

Trapping plane for use in conjunction with a lathe

Let’s end on a weird one. More commonly found in European green woodworking (but works just as well on kiln-dried and the rest of the world). Used to cut tapered spindles/legs as the bottom lever allows for pressure sensitive closing. Great for Windsors.

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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

Veritas Precision Square

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

Buy at Lee Valley

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