Hehehe, Oh I think we come from different schools on this topic Keiran... let the debate begin! :D Gonna have to disagree here on *Point 1* entirely mate. Hand tools are disproportionately expensive to power tools in terms of quality, most cheap new hand tools will only lead to frustration as they function poorly and won't stay sharp, cheap second-hand old ones usually need restoration to get the best out of them. The skills needed to get results out of cheap or secondhand tools only come with lots of time and practice (and learning to sharpen). It might take weeks to see any progress and complete even a simple project which can be very discouraging to new makers. Whereas entry-level power tools like Ryobi perform well, are cheap, easy to learn and can get folks making with little fuss and effort which will encourage them to learn more. Overall while yes, hand tools can be rewarding and satisfying and some folks may fall in love with them instantly, I believe they create a super high barrier to entry into the hobby and will leave the majority of people disliking their results and therefore potentially end up binning the hobby and the tools. *Point 2* I agree in part, yep complex expensive jigs are best left for later on, but again, I'll use your car analogy and while it is true you don't learn in an F1... it is also _much_ easier to learn in an Auto over a Manual. Learning basic power tool joinery with a cheap dowel or pocket hole jigs and things like half-laps cut with a circular saw is much more rewarding than trying to get a satisfying result with any hand tool joinery. *Point 3* - Agree on the number, disagree on the need for expensive ones. I am 5 years in and just dropped coin on my first set of decent chisels. They cost more than a whole collection of entry-level power tools. A set of 3 cheap Irwins got me through that time. Again, it's a sharpening thing, you then also need to add all that kit to maintain good chisels whereas for cheap ones you can just use sandpaper and not worry if you bash them when starting out. *Point 4* - Now we are on the same page. I agree here with pretty much all this on measuring tools. Even powertool woodworking needs a good tape and combo-square. *Point 5* - Yay we can end on another happy point, ignore expensive wood. What I'd add is use free wood. No, not just pallets. FB market, dumped roadside furniture, there are lots of places to pick it up to learn on. Very interesting topic mate! I am sure you'll have some good counterpoints to my arguments above too ;)
And this is why I love social media! Its always refreshing getting another point of view. Point 1 - I hadn't considered that perspective. I still personally think I found it more rewarding and expediated my learning experience by starting with hand tools. My first boss in my Carpentry apprenticeship was big on hand tool before power tool, but I can see your point. Point 2 - Lesson learnt, I need to be clearer on my point. My point was for things like the Incra router jig, and expensive jigs. I would highly recommend a pocket hole jig, or doweling jig early on! Point 3 - I would class Irwin chisels as a quality chisel. The point I was trying to make was don't go getting a Craft Right chisel, where the tip breaks on impact. Point 4 - Couldn't agree more. Point 5 - Great point mate! Thanks for watching mate!
Hey Kieran, agree on all what you said but geez, Tassie Oak as a cheap entry level timber along with pine, really? I’d say red gum is far cheaper that tassie oak 😉
Thank you for this video Kieran!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hehehe, Oh I think we come from different schools on this topic Keiran... let the debate begin! :D Gonna have to disagree here on *Point 1* entirely mate. Hand tools are disproportionately expensive to power tools in terms of quality, most cheap new hand tools will only lead to frustration as they function poorly and won't stay sharp, cheap second-hand old ones usually need restoration to get the best out of them. The skills needed to get results out of cheap or secondhand tools only come with lots of time and practice (and learning to sharpen). It might take weeks to see any progress and complete even a simple project which can be very discouraging to new makers. Whereas entry-level power tools like Ryobi perform well, are cheap, easy to learn and can get folks making with little fuss and effort which will encourage them to learn more. Overall while yes, hand tools can be rewarding and satisfying and some folks may fall in love with them instantly, I believe they create a super high barrier to entry into the hobby and will leave the majority of people disliking their results and therefore potentially end up binning the hobby and the tools. *Point 2* I agree in part, yep complex expensive jigs are best left for later on, but again, I'll use your car analogy and while it is true you don't learn in an F1... it is also _much_ easier to learn in an Auto over a Manual. Learning basic power tool joinery with a cheap dowel or pocket hole jigs and things like half-laps cut with a circular saw is much more rewarding than trying to get a satisfying result with any hand tool joinery. *Point 3* - Agree on the number, disagree on the need for expensive ones. I am 5 years in and just dropped coin on my first set of decent chisels. They cost more than a whole collection of entry-level power tools. A set of 3 cheap Irwins got me through that time. Again, it's a sharpening thing, you then also need to add all that kit to maintain good chisels whereas for cheap ones you can just use sandpaper and not worry if you bash them when starting out. *Point 4* - Now we are on the same page. I agree here with pretty much all this on measuring tools. Even powertool woodworking needs a good tape and combo-square. *Point 5* - Yay we can end on another happy point, ignore expensive wood. What I'd add is use free wood. No, not just pallets. FB market, dumped roadside furniture, there are lots of places to pick it up to learn on. Very interesting topic mate! I am sure you'll have some good counterpoints to my arguments above too ;)
And this is why I love social media! Its always refreshing getting another point of view.
Point 1 - I hadn't considered that perspective. I still personally think I found it more rewarding and expediated my learning experience by starting with hand tools. My first boss in my Carpentry apprenticeship was big on hand tool before power tool, but I can see your point.
Point 2 - Lesson learnt, I need to be clearer on my point. My point was for things like the Incra router jig, and expensive jigs. I would highly recommend a pocket hole jig, or doweling jig early on!
Point 3 - I would class Irwin chisels as a quality chisel. The point I was trying to make was don't go getting a Craft Right chisel, where the tip breaks on impact.
Point 4 - Couldn't agree more.
Point 5 - Great point mate!
Thanks for watching mate!
Great Video mate! Absolutely nailed it!
Thanks mate! Glad you enjoyed it!
Hey Kieran, agree on all what you said but geez, Tassie Oak as a cheap entry level timber along with pine, really? I’d say red gum is far cheaper that tassie oak 😉
Haha I meant in comparison to some. Would never have thought red gum would be cheap!
Thanks for watching!