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 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

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.

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" wrote in message
ups.com...
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

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)

"foggytown" wrote in message
ups.com...
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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users.
It has removed 676 spam emails to date.
Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
Try SPAMfighter for free now!

"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
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

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

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

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 mo 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

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.

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.

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

"B A R R Y" wrote in message
m...
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.

On 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!

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

On 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!

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

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.

On 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.

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.

Thu, Aug 10, 2006, 5:36am (EDT-3) (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.

J T wrote:
Thu, Aug 10, 2006, 5:36am (EDT-3) (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.

On 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.

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

On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 13:53:40 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:


On 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.

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

Sun, Aug 13, 2006, 7:37am (EDT-3) (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.

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

Sun, Aug 13, 2006, 7:37am (EDT-3) (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

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

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 20:30:20 -0600, dgadams 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

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

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

On 16 Aug 2006 21:01:14 -0700, 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