Hand tools and Garrett Wade

[scribe]

Hi all,

I wanted to start working on my first project, a replacement boat paddle, using the tools I already owned. Honestly, I wanted to make sure I was really going to stick with this carving business before I sank any money into it. Long story short, I read a couple of books about making paddles, and I'm about halfway thru the project. Now that I know I'm definitely going to stick with this (it's bloody addictive), I've been compiling a list of tools I'll need. I'm only carving paddles and the like now, but will hopefully be moving up to wooden canoes and other vessels later. I only use handtools; the power tools are staying in the shed. I have a rusty old hacksaw, straight edge, speed square, framing square, dinky little coping saw, block plane, 2 clamps, chalk line, a tape measure, and that's about it.

Scribe's Want List:

-New hacksaws, 2, one with course teeth and another with finer teeth

-spokeshaves, 2, one flat and another curved

-a larger plane (mine is only 8") (please suggest sizes)

-a proper vice and more clamps

-gouges and chisels (suggestions would be great)

And I'm sure lots of other things I haven't thought of yet. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Also, spokeshaves seem to be hard to come by. Garrett Wade sells them, and they seem reputable. Does anyone have any experience with this supplier? Can you recommend any others?

Finally, I would really appreciate it if y'all could suggest some name brands for hand tools. I don't need the fanciest stuff out there, but I don't want junk, either. I usually buy quality items that aren't too fancy, or at least something along these lines.

Thanks for any info!

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[papasar]

Scribe,
IMHO GW has high quality tools.
Stopped by there once and got great buys on Henry Taylor carving tools.
Bill K.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Scribe,
Don't know much about G. W. , seems like they have some great tools. As for carving tools and supplies, here are a couple good suppliers.

Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply

Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers

The Woodcraft Shop 1-800-397-2278

Dave

[Dan S]

Garrett Wade is a nice company to work with. If you are going to use planes your choice will be dictated by what you want to do. The different planes all had different uses. Numbers 1 and 2 were small smoothing planes but are really too small to do much. The Number 3 was an OK smoother but still a bit small for my hands. The four fits my hand nicely and is the plane I reach for the most. the 5 was a jack plane. Sort of a general use tool. The 6 was a fore plane. Used to dimension wood after a scrub plane (40). The 7 and 8 were both jointers.
If you go to this website you will find all sorts of information on planes. The Superior Works - Patrick's Blood & Gore: Preface
For my money I would find an old stanly #4 or a 5. If you can find an old bedrock, also by stanley, it will out perform almost any of the newer planes on the market. You can find these on Ebay for about 20-30.oo each. The bedrock will be higher. I'd look at the planes with the "sweetheart mark" (1920's) They were about as good as Stanley made.
As far as spokeshaves I cannot help much there. I have been wanting a set by Lie Nelson but I have to save up for a bit. Look for a tool that has a blade you can adjust with a screw. If it doesn't have this feature they are harder to tune. Look at a Stanley 151 or a 67 for examples. Again the older tools were better quality.
As far as a saw, A hacksaw was made to cut metal. Here again your choice of a saw will be dictated by what you want to cut. Try the japanese saws. They cut beautifully and really don't cost all that much. The are different from a western saw in that they cut on the pull stroke.
For a vise, buy the best you can afford. Look at wood craft for an example. I have been fighting a cheap one for years and I loath the sight of it. I have a replacement but I have to get my new bench built to install it. If you have spare cash look at a pattern makers vise. The origional was made by Emmert. (possibly misspelled.)
As far as chisels, what are you wanting to do?
Dan

[BobD]

I prefer Lee Valley's spokeshave's (Veritas). They have redesigned the so you can adjust the dept of cut with a thumbscrew rather than with a tap of the hammer.

Bob

[markken5889]

I'm with Bob. I prefer Lee Valley, and also Tools for Working Wood and Traditional Woodworker. All have excellent web sites and great customer service!

Mark

[scribe]

Originally Posted by Dan S

As far as a saw, A hacksaw was made to cut metal. Here again your choice of a saw will be dictated by what you want to cut. Try the japanese saws. They cut beautifully and really don't cost all that much. The are different from a western saw in that they cut on the pull stroke.
For a vise, buy the best you can afford. Look at wood craft for an example. I have been fighting a cheap one for years and I loath the sight of it. I have a replacement but I have to get my new bench built to install it. If you have spare cash look at a pattern makers vise. The origional was made by Emmert. (possibly misspelled.)
As far as chisels, what are you wanting to do?
Dan

Thanks for the great reply. I should have said hand saw and not hacksaw, as I've been using an old "western style" handsaw. I've never heard of the Japanese saws, and I see what you're saying. they look to have very thin blades, too, which would help me make finer cuts.

Now a quick question: I read about "combination saws" when I was looking at the japanese saws. These feature both eastern and western blades integrated, so they cut in both directions. Should I perhaps consider this as well, or should I stick to the Japanese saws for their finer cutting ability? I'm sure this is ultimately a personal decision, but I'd still appreciate your take on it.

Thanks to all of you for the great information and replies, and please keep them coming!

[Dan S]

I haven't heard about or tried the combination saw. I'm happy with the traditional version. Try the Japan Woodworker and see if you like them. As far as the comments about the Veritas spokshave those guys are probably right. The stanley is an OK tool and what I wanted you to look at was the adjustment. I've read great reviews about the Veritas spokeshave. I'm sure you would be happy with it.
As a side note, be careful with Japanese tools. They are addictive. Probably worse than crack.

Dan

[GW Tech]

Hi Scribe,

My name is Petra and I am a technician at GarrettWade. I woud be happy to help with any questions you might have about our products, or about tool choices in general. You can email me at pope@garrettwade.com

By the way, this fall we'll introduce a Patternmaker's Vise. It's based on an old Ulmia design and, in my opinion, is an ideal choice for oar and paddle carvers. Take a look at the attached photo and let me know what you think.

All the best,

Petra

[BobD]

Welcome Petra!
I'm glad you've found our little corner of the web! Unfortunately, your photo didn't come through. If you e-mail it to me at duncan@foxchapelpublishing.com I should be able to get it posted for you.

Best regards,
Bob Duncan
Technical Editor