"Alan N. Graham" wrote:

> Recently I have been framing walls in our new home's basement. SWMBO has
> agreed that I can have the entire basement 

Whoa.  Niiiice.  I *dream* about that much shop space...

[mercilessly snipped, and paraphrased, even]

"Stage 1" I know about hand tools but never
stopped to consider them for routine operations.

[been there; what a noisy, messy place!]

"Stage 2" Use hand tools when possible, but slowly and with great 
care, substituting thoroughness and caution for experience.

[been there too]

"Stage 3" Every job needs a new tool, or a new accessory. 
This is the acquisition stage. 

[Wow, I remember this insanity!]

"Stage 4" I have pretty well all the tools I need, a decent amount 
of skill, and I'm slowly building my skills to the point where using 
handtools efficiently and accurately is second nature.

[Here I am now]

I can postulate the next step, but it pains me to do so...

"Stage 5" Thinning The Herd.  Paring the tool kit down to the 
essentials.  Who needs 10 jointers?  Why do I have 3 dozen 
braces?  Get rid of the dross and all the 'extras'.  Backup
is one thing, but 10 jointers is just plain ridiculous.

Darrell

I am NOT ready for Stage 5 yet.  No way.  I still have a couple 
of square feet of wall space left!  See?  Still got some room in
the spokeshave rack too....

-- 
Darrell LaRue
Oakville ON
FOYBIPO, Wood Hoarder, Blade Sharpener, and Occasional Tool User