I got this e-mail this morning……
Hello David,
I am interested in your comments about tool manufacturers and, since I am thinking about getting another plane your info on Clifton is appreciated. However, I do use power tools because they get the job done faster. I use a “Work Sharp 3000 for chisels and gouges. It is much faster than using water stones and a grinder. I use a long bed 8” jointer and a planer to square up timber before a project. There is enough hand work in making Chippendale style chairs and other 18th century style furniture without having to slow down the process by adding more hand work than is necessary.
Best regard,
John Jory
Hi John
Thank you for your response, I agree, there is no point in unnecessary work. The point of what we do is to add quality where we can. Hand tools can achieve that over machines, we can butt joint long surfaces straight off the machine but its better to do that THEN hollow with just two strokes of the bench plane. That takes skill and knowledge. The objective, the definition for me of skill is speed with accuracy.
My beef is not with you but those guys who seek to eliminate the handwork saying it is no longer needed. We can do it all with CAD, sanders and curtain coaters . We can do a lot for sure, and no harm that, if it saves time and energy, but its not a place to start from .
Since makers have made anything we have argued about the best way to make and I love that.
All the best
david
