Hi Folks,

I think we should require all-caps in the subject if the article
has anything to do with power tools.  Seems to match somehow.

I just wanted to share the reason why I use power tools.

I am on my second kitchen remodel, and I try to do a high quality
job.

So far, I have only experimented with frame and panel construction instead
of sheet goods, and I had reasonable success, but for some things,  the
look and expectation of customers seem to require plywood or particle
board.

I opt for plywood because I try to build with reasonable quality.

However, plywood is a man-made material, with glue, etc.  And in a
kitchen, it is a nice feature to have shelves that have plastic laminate
on the use-surface.    Galoot or no galoot, SWMBOS love not having to
use shelf paper.  They would like to submerge the shelves if they could.

So, I use power tools and and carbide cutters for these man-made
materials.  I refuse to expose my beautiful Disston saws and dado
planes and other difficult to sharpen tools to the glue lines of
plywood.   Them saws is fer REAL work, not this utilitarian stuff!

Also, I have to admit that speed is an issue.  Running off a sticked
raised panel door on the shaper is so quick.  Someday when I am
so famous that I am a household word, I will make everything by hand
because I can afford to do it that way and charge up the butt for
it.

In the meantime, I use the handtools when I can, or when I am sick of
noise, or when I get a new one.   At the museum, we are working on
doing some restoration with historic tools.   I have two sets of
sash planes (with cope) and lots of windows to make.

But this raises another question:   Those sash planes are beautiful,
and matching sash and cope are a real rarity.  After I make 25 windows
with them, what are they going to look like?   Does it make sense to
use UP handtools that are so rare?   Especially when I can set up my
shaper with a couple of Freeborn cutters and run off a hundred windows
and still have those sash planes.   And the only person who would know
the difference is ME.

Personally, I would rather make copies of them and use the copies.  But
I don't have the skill--yet.

Using handtools for real work certainly made sense 150 years ago when
such tools were actively being produced.   But what about now, when
these tools are no longer being made, and can't be replaced, long term?

Final note:  I got Mario Rodriguez book on traditional woodworking,
you know the one where he shows you how to make a mantel and how
to do pine flooring.  Nice book, interesting.   Didja see that BRAND
SPANKING NEW center beading plane he had?   Wonder who made it.
Larry Wiliams?

At 09:57 AM 6/9/99 -0700, Larry wrote:
(snipping most here)

>I just wanted to share the reason why I use power tools.

Well, you've got me there on the Norm discussion I usually refuse join.

>...expectation of customers seem to require plywood or particle
>board.

Sad, isn't it.  Father forgive them, for they know not...   So give them
what they want.
...
>Does it make sense to use UP handtools that are so rare?

Yes, if you can afford it.  They deserve an honorable end to their destiny.
 Something better than what Lennin recieved.
...
> And the only person who would know
>the difference is ME.

NO, I'd know too, but I'd understand.  I've sold stuff made of the lowliest
wood just because  (maybe)  people can see the difference -  though they
aren't sure just what it is.  Latch onto those people.  They will come back
for more.

Gene