Woodworkers! Any of you still use hand tools?

rikus

Hi,

Any old school wood workers still around? I've been trying to acquire a handful of decent hand tools and it's proving surprisingly difficult. I've been to Hardware Centre in Cape Town, and while their tools are really beautiful I can't justify spending R900 on a small dovetail back saw...

All online tool recommendations are buying old tools on ebay and restoring, but I'm really not keen on shipping rusty tools to SA for more than I paid for them...

Trying my luck here, are there any local online or small little shops somewhere that still stock decent stuff that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Chocklit_Thunda

I use hand tools all the time ? its more fun and less dangerous!
I actually got a big box of old hand tools for R150 bucks a while back
That being said, I don't know where would be best to get them... My old man is always using Rockler and Lee Valley tools in the US/CAN but thats for new tools.

Brastep

Most of my favourite tools (besides the ones I inherited) come from local junk shops, flea markets and boot sales. For the most part I go by the rule, older = better quality. It does not always apply but often its easy to recognise quality thru the rust.

But you also have to be prepared to fit new handles, re-grind blades, re-set and sharpen saw-teeth, etc.

rikus

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: I use hand tools all the time ? its more fun and less dangerous!
I actually got a big box of old hand tools for R150 bucks a while back
That being said, I don't know where would be best to get them... My old man is always using Rockler and Lee Valley tools in the US/CAN but thats for new tools.

That sounds like a cool score. Lee Valley is pricey. Never checked Rockler... might as well see what the shipping costs would be.

Brastep wrote: Most of my favourite tools (besides the ones I inherited) come from local junk shops, flea markets and boot sales. For the most part I go by the rule, older = better quality. It does not always apply but often its easy to recognise quality thru the rust.

But you also have to be prepared to fit new handles, re-grind blades, re-set and sharpen saw-teeth, etc.

Happy to restore, if only I can find them! I picked up a old No 6 Stanley plane for R20 that I'm gonna try and restore! ?

Shibbibilybob

Lee Valley for me.

Milnerton Market has plenty of lovely old planes (that need some work) but other than that, Hardware centre is the only spot I know of.

I bit the bullet around a year ago and bought myself a set of Veritas bench chisels and a low angle bench plane from Lee Valley.
It cost me a gold mine, but they are just so so so so so satisfying to use.

As for the saws, I recommend the japanese saws they sell at hardware centre (They've also got some Silky WoodBoys, which are worth getting just for the name) that work well.
I can't really speak for your applications, but for me, the japanese saws, my band saw, or a very cheap stanley back saw are capable of doing everything I need...the band saw will re

Shibbibilybob

rikus

Shibbibilybob wrote: Lee Valley for me.

Milnerton Market has plenty of lovely old planes (that need some work) but other than that, Hardware centre is the only spot I know of.

I bit the bullet around a year ago and bought myself a set of Veritas bench chisels and a low angle bench plane from Lee Valley.
It cost me a gold mine, but they are just so so so so so satisfying to use.

As for the saws, I recommend the japanese saws they sell at hardware centre (They've also got some Silky WoodBoys, which are worth getting just for the name) that work well.
I can't really speak for your applications, but for me, the japanese saws, my band saw, or a very cheap stanley back saw are capable of doing everything I need...the band saw will require some tidying up with the chisels in tight spots.

Thanks for the advice! Those tools really are gorgeous to look at. I'll probably go and have a look at Milnerton Market and see what I can find there...

beardedmoose

I inherited most of my tools from my grandfather who was a excellent woodworker. Check out Milnerton Market on sundays or gumtree has the odd garage sale now and then.

Hand tools are fantastic dude.

rikus

beardedmoose wrote: I inherited most of my tools from my grandfather who was a excellent woodworker. Check out Milnerton Market on sundays or gumtree has the odd garage sale now and then.

Hand tools are fantastic dude.

Thanks man! Planning on give the market a look-see soon.