Fundamentals of Hand Tools

Tom Caspar

Class Preview

2:07:25

In-depth Instruction; over 128 mins
On-demand video access anytime
Bonus downloadable PDF resources
Access to class Q&A
Available for purchase: $11.99

Session 1: Getting Started

3:09

Meet your instructor, furniture maker and author Tom Caspar. Get an overview of Fundamentals of Hand Tools, and take a look at the tools that will be used throughout the Class.

Session 2: Thicknessing and Joinery

8:34

Tom uses a table saw and a dado set to cut the only woodworking joint required for the project. He hand planes the sides of the box for a perfect fit into the dados made on the table saw.

Session 3: Cut to Length and Clean Up the End Grain

6:46

To cut the angled ends of the box, Tom uses his Japanese pull saw and a simple guide. He cleans up the saw marks using a block plane. Sandpaper can't make it smoother!

Session 4: Angles and Curves

16:12

The ends of the box have a subtle detail: a miter that tapers from top to bottom. Hard to do? Nope—Tom unveils a foolproof method to create these miters with a block plane. The bottom edge of the box is a graceful arch, which Tom makes using a pull saw, chisel and a specially modified spokeshave.

Session 5: Make the Bottom and Align the Joints

21:13

Fitting the bottom involves some careful measuring, but after the bottom is cut the box is ready to glue together. Tom demonstrates how to use a plane to make the top edges perfectly even after gluing.

Session 6: Make the Lid and Apply Finish

1:10:46

Tom cuts rabbets around the underside of the lid using a router table, then cleans up the marks left by the router bit using a rabbet plane. He planes a chamfer around the top of the lid using a smooth plane guided by a unique shop-made jig. Lastly, Tom shows you his favorite wipe-on finish to make the wood glow.

Session 7: Class Summary

0:45

Tom wraps up this Class with a reminder to practice the tips and techniques you learned in making this jewelry box, and apply your new hand tool skills to create a variety of projects in your shop.

7 Lessons

2 hrs 8 mins

Overview
Instructor
Bonus Materials
FAQs

In this online video class, Fundamentals of Hand Tools, Tom Caspar shows you the key fundamentals of using seven important woodworking hand tools while building a simple jewelry box. You’ll watch, practice and learn while Tom demonstrates how to use these key woodworking tools:

a #4 bench plane
a Japanese pull saw
two types of block planes
a firmer chisel
a spokeshave
a scraper
and a rabbet plane

Tom’s interest in hand tools goes way back. “Forty years ago, I apprenticed in a shop where every piece of wood was planed or scraped by hand before assembly,” said Tom. “Doing the same task over and over was the best type of woodworking instruction I could get. It was hard work, but I loved it!”

Learning about hand tools takes you beyond what machines can do, Tom says. “Planes, chisels and hand saws don’t replace power tools in my shop. They’re a complement.” To build what you really want to build, he believes, you should master both hand and power tools. This online class will help you do just that.

Tom has been teaching “The Unplugged Workshop,” a course on hand tools for beginners, for the last 25 years. “My goal is to take the mystery out of hand work. This box is a great introduction to what hand tools can do.”

This woodworking project is more than just a teaching exercise, however. You can easily build several in a weekend, making it a perfect gift for your whole family.

By the way, you don’t really need hand tools to build it. They just make spending time in the shop more fun!

In addition to the video instruction that you’ll enjoy in the Fundamentals of Hand Tools class, you’ll also be able to access a printable PDF drawing of the jewelry box, as well as a Class Resource PDF that notes the tools and supplies used in the class.

NOTE: This Class video instruction is also available for purchase in DVD form. If you prefer to own a physical copy, you can purchase the Class DVD here.

Tom Caspar

Tom Caspar has been a furniture maker since apprenticing to a Swedish cabinetmaker almost 40 years ago. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was for many years editor of <em>Woodwork </em>and <em>American Woodworker</em> magazines. Tom has shared his expertise through more than 150 articles on a huge range of techniques, projects, and tools. He has been teaching The Unplugged Woodshop, a 12-week introductory course on hand tools, for 25 years.

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