ff

"foggytown"

10/08/2006 5:36 AM

Hypothetical question for wreckers

Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
a keen woodworker? Be honest.

I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
guess it does!

FoggyTown


This topic has 29 replies

Pn

Prometheus

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

12/08/2006 9:25 PM

On 10 Aug 2006 05:36:51 -0700, "foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
>a keen woodworker? Be honest.

Yep. I've even been there, when I was first starting out- even when I
first got into turning, I used a bow saw, axe, and splitting maul to
harvest wood, then roughed the blanks with a handsaw. Of course now I
have and appreciate a chainsaw, but not having one never stopped me.

Even now, I do most fine shaping and finish work with hand tools
because they seem to have more control than a speeding hunk of
carbide. Not much of a stretch to do all of it without motors, though
I'd get a lot less done.

bb

"brianlanning"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 5:53 AM

I would probably still be a woodworker, but would make smaller
projects. And they wouldn't look as good, at least for the next 10
years while my skills improve.

And I would probably buy s4s if such a think existed.

brian

foggytown wrote:
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
> I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
> the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
> would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
> Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
> guess it does!
>
> FoggyTown

Mm

"Mike"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 6:29 AM


> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>

Nope. Using power tools is a big part of the fun.

Td

"Teamcasa"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 8:42 AM

"foggytown"
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.

Define "Power Tools". I'll assume you are referring to electrical power
tools.
Sure, I'd just invent them and run them on water, steam, human or amimal
power.

Dave



Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
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NH

"N Hurst"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 9:44 AM


foggytown wrote:
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
> I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
> the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
> would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
> Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
> guess it does!
>
> FoggyTown

I would be a woodworker largely to the extent that I am currently: I
would do my best to make useful things for my family.

Honestly, it might even be more fun... it honestly depends on what you
enjoy more: the results or the process.

The hardest thing would be learning how to use a handsaw properly so
your cuts are straight enough to make planing more effective or even
unnecessary, depending on the use.

In a related note, if you haven't already, check out the Firefox series
of books (amazon has them). They're amazing collections of old-school
know-how and history.

-Nathan

NH

"N Hurst"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 9:45 AM


N Hurst wrote:

> In a related note, if you haven't already, check out the Firefox series
> of books (amazon has them). They're amazing collections of old-school
> know-how and history.
>
> -Nathan

And I meant Foxfire, not Firefox.

bb

"bf"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 10:47 AM


foggytown wrote:
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>

I doubt I'd be a woodworker either. I have very limited time for the
hobby. If I had to make everything with power tools, my stuff would
come out looking bad and it would take 10 times as long to do it.

Most of my projects are "necessity" items like bookshelves, shelves for
toys, computer desks. They already get completed well after they are
needed. If I had to hand plane and join all the wood for a 6' by 32"
bookshelf, it would probably take me 2 years instead of 2 months (I
usually only have part of Sunday to do WW, occasionally some evenings).

ff

"foggytown"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

13/08/2006 7:37 AM


J T wrote:
> Thu, Aug 10, 2006, 5:36am (EDT-3) [email protected] (foggytown) doth
> query:
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be a
> keen woodworker? Be honest. <snip>
>
> Silly question. Too many variable to give a viable response.
> Whatca mean by power tools for one? If you mean just electric tools
> that's one thing, after all there were none for most of our history; but
> if you include water power, human power, that's something else
> altogether. And, am I going to be filthy rich, with time to waste; or
> am I going to be a coal miner say, working 12-14 hours a day, seven days
> a week? Inquiring mind wants to know.

If you don't understand the question just say so. Like I'm sure when
someone says "power tools" you immediately think of a water-driven
Archimedes screw, right? You understood wekll enough. You just wanted
to play bitch, didn't you. :)

JJ

in reply to "foggytown" on 13/08/2006 7:37 AM

14/08/2006 2:38 PM

Sun, Aug 13, 2006, 7:37am (EDT-3) [email protected] (foggytown) doth
stateth:
If you don't understand the question just say so. Like I'm sure when
someone says "power tools" you immediately think of a water-driven
Archimedes screw, right? <sniperoo>

I do not understand the question as written.

Actually, no. Roman water-driven wheels.



JOAT
Teamwork is very important. It gives you someone to blame.

md

mac davis

in reply to "foggytown" on 13/08/2006 7:37 AM

15/08/2006 7:26 AM

On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 14:38:39 -0400, [email protected] (J T) wrote:

>Sun, Aug 13, 2006, 7:37am (EDT-3) [email protected] (foggytown) doth
>stateth:
>If you don't understand the question just say so. Like I'm sure when
>someone says "power tools" you immediately think of a water-driven
>Archimedes screw, right? <sniperoo>
>
> I do not understand the question as written.
>
> Actually, no. Roman water-driven wheels.
>
I don't understand either one....

But "water-driven Archimedes screw" sounds like something kinky in a hot tub...
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

d

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

16/08/2006 9:01 PM

I think I part with some of the opinions here in two ways: not only do
I think this is a good question, but I believe that thinking about the
question is a good thing.

To me, it's valuable to think of "what if the power goes out"? I don't
want a shop I can't use during a blackout: it's the reason I'm putting
skylights and a woodstove in mine. I want to know I _can_, if needed,
do everything by hand. Would I always prefer to do so? No - I'd like
the option of power assist, at least for some tasks. But it shouldn't
be, and isn't, required for me to enjoy my woodworking.

Dudley


foggytown wrote:
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
> I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
> the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
> would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
> Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
> guess it does!
>
> FoggyTown

md

mac davis

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

16/08/2006 7:48 AM

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 20:30:20 -0600, dgadams <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Thu, 10 Aug 2006 05:36:51 -0700, foggytown wrote:
>
>> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
>> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>>
>> I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
>> the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
>> would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
>> Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
>> guess it does!
>>
>
>Yes. I started as a kid with a set of hand tools selected by my granddad
>and bought by my mother as a birthday present. That's all I had until my
>teenage years when I got a jig saw. It wasn't until after college that I
>had enough income to start buying power tools. Now I've got most all the
>power tools I need and have started moving back into hand tools. I'll
>probably end up with just hand tools in the end. Second childhood?
>
>D.G. Adams
>
that, or your dependents take away all the dangerous power ones.. *g*

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

HN

"HotRod"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 9:59 AM

I think I'd have to make my own power tools first. Someone get me some
steam.....

It would be tough to price a job when it takes a pile of wood to run my
table saw :-)

YES I'd still be a wood worker. No power tools, I might get to be a master
in my trade....




"foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
> I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
> the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
> would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
> Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
> guess it does!
>
> FoggyTown
>

WK

"Wayne K"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 11:12 PM

Probably be a blacksmith, fire, hammers, smoke, sparks, steel, welding. ooo
yea

"B A R R Y" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> foggytown wrote:
>> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
>> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
> Yup.
>
> I use power tools to save time. I also use hand tools to save time. It
> all depends on the operation.

JJ

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

13/08/2006 8:59 AM

Thu, Aug 10, 2006, 5:36am (EDT-3) [email protected] (foggytown) doth
query:
Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be a
keen woodworker? Be honest. <snip>

Silly question. Too many variable to give a viable response.
Whatca mean by power tools for one? If you mean just electric tools
that's one thing, after all there were none for most of our history; but
if you include water power, human power, that's something else
altogether. And, am I going to be filthy rich, with time to waste; or
am I going to be a coal miner say, working 12-14 hours a day, seven days
a week? Inquiring mind wants to know.

However, if you're just referring to electric power tools, then I'd
have to say that regardless of my occupation and status I'd quite
possibly be doing woodworking of one type or another. After all, not so
many years back as history goes a lot of people had to make their own
furniture, and so on. Doing it as a profession, possibly; doing it as a
hobby, I seriously doubt it.



JOAT
Teamwork is very important. It gives you someone to blame.

md

mac davis

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

17/08/2006 7:17 AM

On 16 Aug 2006 21:01:14 -0700, [email protected] wrote:

>I think I part with some of the opinions here in two ways: not only do
>I think this is a good question, but I believe that thinking about the
>question is a good thing.
>
>To me, it's valuable to think of "what if the power goes out"? I don't
>want a shop I can't use during a blackout: it's the reason I'm putting
>skylights and a woodstove in mine. I want to know I _can_, if needed,
>do everything by hand. Would I always prefer to do so? No - I'd like
>the option of power assist, at least for some tasks. But it shouldn't
>be, and isn't, required for me to enjoy my woodworking.
>
>Dudley
>
It sort of leads to the topic of "is your power tool work better if you learned
on hand tools?"

I think in some cases mine is, especially when cutting or sanding smaller
pieces......
Sort of like my theory that if you've replaced things on a car such as brakes
and clutches and understand how they work, you use them better and with more
respect... YMWV
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

BA

B A R R Y

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 5:56 PM

foggytown wrote:
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.

Yup.

I use power tools to save time. I also use hand tools to save time.
It all depends on the operation.

MD

"Morris Dovey"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 9:12 AM

foggytown (in [email protected])
said:

| Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you
| still be a keen woodworker? Be honest.

I was a keen woodworker when all I had to work with was a pocket
knife - and can't imagine letting go of my enthusiasm.

If there were no power tools, I think I'd end up building 'em from
scratch - and at least some would be sun, wind, and water-powered.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto

Jn

John

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

11/08/2006 9:31 AM

The longer I stay in the shop the more I want to use power tools only
for saving time, as when ripping or crosscutting large numbers of (or
just very long) boards, cutting cove and bead strips for a boat, or
scroll sawing. I try to do as much of the rest of the work as possible
by hand. I have come to dislike the crisp, clean lines of an object of
furniture that has been machined to Euclidean perfection. There's not
enough imperfect humanity in them for my liking, these days.

J.

foggytown wrote:
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.

JB

Joe Bemier

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

11/08/2006 6:07 AM

On 10 Aug 2006 05:36:51 -0700, "foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
>a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
>I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
>the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
>would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
>Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
>guess it does!
>
>FoggyTown


Well, I'll be dating myself a bit here but when I started in the
industry we did not have half of whats out there today. I did have a
T/S a Circ Saw and electirc drills. We could call that the *Marginal
Period*
When I look back on it I believe we did better work - in general- than
is being turned out today.
So, if we were to go back further to say my Grandfathers day and look
at your question, I think I would have enjoyed it and the work would
be even better again.

J

WW

"Warren Weber"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 9:32 AM


"foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
> I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
> the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
> would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
> Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
> guess it does!
>
> FoggyTown

In my early years I did not have power tools. Took a lot longer to make
things. Later on I built a cabin in the mountains. No power available. The
hardest part was putting in a maple floor. Had to drill holes for all the
nails. Took a couple years, part time. I am thankful now for all my power
tools. Get a lot more done, better and fast. W W


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"Edwin Pawlowski"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

14/08/2006 1:53 PM


> On 10 Aug 2006 05:36:51 -0700, "foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
>>a keen woodworker? Be honest.

Probably not. I'd do it out of necessity, but not as a hobby.

TE

"The3rd Earl Of Derby"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 3:46 PM

foggytown wrote:
> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still
> be a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
> I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am
> at the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to
> do, or would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
> Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
> guess it does!
>
> FoggyTown

I'd be glad to go back to mallet and chisel its where *Master Caftsmen* got
their name. :-)

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite


JC

"J. Clarke"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 10:23 AM

foggytown wrote:

> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
> I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
> the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
> would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
> Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
> guess it does!

Hard question. No power tools changes too much else about society.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

FB

Frank Boettcher

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

11/08/2006 7:56 AM

On 10 Aug 2006 05:36:51 -0700, "foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
>a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
>I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
>the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
>would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
>Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
>guess it does!
>
>FoggyTown


Since I consider myself, at best, a slightly better than average
woodworker who is fortunate to have been in a position to acquire
great tools to compensate, maybe not. If everything were "manual" the
more artistic types would prevail and those of us who are not talented
in that way might be frustrated.

Frank

md

mac davis

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

14/08/2006 7:36 AM

On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 13:53:40 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>> On 10 Aug 2006 05:36:51 -0700, "foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
>>>a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
>Probably not. I'd do it out of necessity, but not as a hobby.
>
If there were no cars in the world, I don't think I'd be much of a driver,
either..
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

dd

dgadams

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

15/08/2006 8:30 PM

On Thu, 10 Aug 2006 05:36:51 -0700, foggytown wrote:

> Assume that there were no power tools in the world. Would you still be
> a keen woodworker? Be honest.
>
> I don't think I would, at least not to anywhere near the extent I am at
> the moment. There would be so many things I would be unable to do, or
> would be able to do in a crude manner. It would drive me nuts.
> Frustration would reign. Does that make me a true Normite? (sigh) I
> guess it does!
>

Yes. I started as a kid with a set of hand tools selected by my granddad
and bought by my mother as a birthday present. That's all I had until my
teenage years when I got a jig saw. It wasn't until after college that I
had enough income to start buying power tools. Now I've got most all the
power tools I need and have started moving back into hand tools. I'll
probably end up with just hand tools in the end. Second childhood?

D.G. Adams

TE

"The3rd Earl Of Derby"

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

10/08/2006 3:49 PM

The3rd Earl Of Derby wrote:

>
> I'd be glad to go back to mallet and chisel its where *Master
> Caftsmen* got their name. :-)

Here's the 'R' ;-)

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite


LH

Lew Hodgett

in reply to "foggytown" on 10/08/2006 5:36 AM

17/08/2006 4:11 AM

[email protected] wrote:

> I don't
> want a shop I can't use during a blackout: it's the reason I'm putting
> skylights and a woodstove in mine.

During a blackout, can think of at least one thing I'd rather do than
be in the woodworking shop.

Seems over the years I've had some company, if you bother to check the
birth rates 9 months after a blackout for conformation.

Lew


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