The Anarchist's Tool Chest, Christopher Schwarz

[Jacob]

Well for those that are not lucky enough to have a copy, there imho is a complete treatise on hand tools and their use - all of 92 pages though.

But that in comparison to the book it is written in , is a small portion. 6 books each 290 +/- pages.

By whom you may ask - Thomas Corkhill F B I C C MI Strct.E M Coll.H and edited by Richard Greenhalgh,

Published 1929

hth,

K

Yes good stuff. I've got them too. One of the best of many instruction books of that era.

 

[Benchwayze]

Well for those that are not lucky enough to have a copy, there imho is a complete treatise on hand tools and their use - all of 92 pages though.

But that in comparison to the book it is written in , is a small portion. 6 books each 290 +/- pages.

By whom you may ask - Thomas Corkhill F B I C C MI Strct.E M Coll.H and edited by Richard Greenhalgh,

Published 1929

hth,

K

Without a title it doesn't really help Houts...

I believe Corkhill was an authority on lots of things in the building trade, besides matters wooden!

Not that I am in the habit of buying books for the sake of books... I have to leave a little cash aside for timber! Much to my Good Lady's dismay!

John :mrgreen:

 

[houtslager]

tja ! thought you might have J

k

ps

I've a few others hiding away, one day when I get my tools/books and other bits unpacked I should be able to list them here

 

[Harbo]

I have the Watson book and it does cover a lot of stuff with very nicely drawn illustrations.

Another good one is Garret Hack's Classic Hand Tools, which covers a wide range of tools - their use, sharpening and repair and with a bit of history thrown in too.

Rod

 

[Benchwayze]

Agreed Rod.
I loaned my Garrett Hack. Haven't seen it since! Will I ever learn?

I thought I might get a title from Houtslager, but I guess he didn't see my post!

John

 

[houtslager]

just been back and got the title, though I don't think you'll be impresed ;P

Joinery & Carpentry , Vol I

hth

K

 

[Jacob]

It's Corkhill I quote on my trestle page here

 

[Alf]

Well a Google with the author and editor, and a check that it does indeed have six volumes in total, gives me "Joinery and carpentry;
a practical and authoritative guide dealing with all branches of the craft of woodworking", fwiw.

(As HS has now confirmed - must type faster...)

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks Alf.

I did Google and came up with mostly general building on Amazon. I daresay 'Joinery and Carpentry' will tell me much the same thing as Ellis's book of course. Maybe less maybe more...

However, I thought Custard was looking for a volume solely on tools, and their usage rather than the full nine-yards of the varied woodworking fields. Which is why I went for Watson.

I will see if I can find a copy all the same, as I do need a bigger bookcase.

John

 

[Jacob]

It has many separate authors credited for different sections, including Charles Hayward.
There were a lot of these instructional books around, intended for the trade and for training - apprentices doing day release C&G, builders, architects etc.
They tend to be very good but usually have a period bias depending on publication date. So for instance window details will vary from edition to edition, but other stuff remains the same over time.

Vol 1 does tools, workshop, joints fastenings and fixings, and machining.

 

[Benchwayze]

It's Corkhill I quote on my trestle page here

Jacob,

That's how I make my trestles. And the way I think is best. Depending on the intended use, I might select less massive timbers for the legs, and taper them, so they look a bit more 'classy'. Trouble is I left some timber in stick, on two sets, and forgot that the timber I used for the trestles wasn't durable. The feet rotted, so they were skipped! I have the material for two more pairs though, honest !

 

[custard]

Custard,

I think you will find that Aldred A Watson, in his book, 'Hand Tools - Their Ways and Workings.', says a lot more about a lot more tools. (This is NOT a criticism of DC. I must add.) But I believe Watson does cover more woodwork tools in one place.

The copy I have is out of print, but I believe it has just been reprinted. If you can get a copy, you will be delighted with it.

John, I followed your advice and got the reprinted version of "Hand Tools, Their Ways And Workings".

A very enjoyable read and the illustrations really added something extra that photographs often fail to capture. I picked up some interesting tips, for example setting the lateral adjustment way over to one side to make a plane serve as a scrub for fast timber removal. I tried it, it works, and it also evens up the iron wear! Also it's excellent in terms of finding good advice on everything from awls to rasps.

But I'll still stand by my assertion, that the David Charlesworth trilogy is the best in-print written guide to hand tool use for cabinet making.

You're right that the Watson book covers more tools than DC, but it's key failing in my view is in the plane section. Firstly Watson recommends a basic kit of a block plane and a jack rebate plane (such as the Stanley 10). I understand where he's coming from with this recommendation, but it precludes the use of a shooting board which I'd regard as fundamental. My second criticism is that Watson gives very little practical information on how to make a plane perform as intended. He seems to assume they're fit for purpose straight from the box. For example he warns that the cap iron must fit closely to the iron to prevent shavings getting jammed, but gives no advice on how to fettle the cap iron. And it's not that Watson assumes a certain basic level of knowledge, after all he dedicates an entire page of illustrations to demonstrating how to separate the cap iron from the iron!

So, I'd say that Watson is well worth buying, but if you're looking for a single current author to guide you towards successful hand tool use in cabinet making, then David Charlesworth's still the one to beat.

 

[Allylearm]

It's Corkhill I quote on my trestle page here

Jacob,

That's how I make my trestles. And the way I think is best. Depending on the intended use, I might select less massive timbers for the legs, and taper them, so they look a bit more 'classy'. Trouble is I left some timber in stick, on two sets, and forgot that the timber I used for the trestles wasn't durable. The feet rotted, so they were skipped! I have the material for two more pairs though, honest !

I made these at my college course back in 1976, drawed it out on a bit of sheathing ply and cut the birdsmouths.

Never used one in anger made my trestles from bits of flooring as was the norm for Joiners in my location, only custom bits were the preferred height of the user to top rail and I also used to cut a notch out of one end to hold my doors for planing and chiseling. I have still one in my shed and would not leave for a job without one, great for getting a bit higher when required around doors/ceilings. Great for cutting mitres/turnip mitres in skirting by hand as lay over the feet rail level nice and firm like. I used to work with a bloke that used the same design but smaller to support Wall units when fitting kitchens. Cheap and cheerfull they were.

 

[fitz]

Because "Schwarzy" (which I find hilarious – I'm going to start calling him that) isn't doing a good job of pimping his own wares...I'll do it. The Anarchist's Tool Chest (and the Lost Art Press reprint of Robert Wearing's "Essential Woodworker") should soon be available in the U.K. at Axminster (he shipped them on Oct. 17). And, a digital version of ATC is also now available (which you can find on the Lost Art Press site).

 

[Jacob]

Got it already.
I'm looking forward to a 2nd edition where I hope he employs the services of a strong minded editor and a book designer.
The insides are a total dogs breakfast. Kinda student magazine graphics plus old woodworker rambling anecdotes.
I like the one about his dad's farm project. I'm engaged on a similarly failing project myself, with the family all wondering, year by year, if they will ever have christmas here. :roll: Hmm, maybe next, but not this.
It's a very good book nevertheless. Right on Schwarzy!

 

[LENPAM]

I find it real hard to believe that Chris Swartz always used this tool box with just the right amount of minimalist tools. I think more likely he has put in enough time and tried enough tools[not to mention collecting a few along the way] and arrived at this opinion that he like most others have a lot of tools they don't need.I also don't think he throws away nice tools he's given to try out or has gotten rid of his favorite infills because of this book writing. Len

 

[Jacob]

I find it real hard to believe that Chris Swartz always used this tool box with just the right amount of minimalist tools.

It's the thought that counts.

I think more likely he has put in enough time and tried enough tools[not to mention collecting a few along the way] and arrived at this opinion that he like most others have a lot of tools they don't need.I also don't think he throws away nice tools he's given to try out or has gotten rid of his favorite infills because of this book writing. Len

He was selling off a lot of his freebies (?), LN bits n bobs etc., a few months ago. Going independent is a bit of a gamble for anybody but I hope he can afford to keep churning the stuff out (but with an editor if possible!).

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

I am curious to know if Chris fits his LN#8 and LN #51 (shooting plane) in the tool chest?

I watched the video he made of the tools that he keeps inside, but (also) did not see a smoother. I know he has a LN#4 and a Anderson infill. I think that he also has a LV BUS.

Langdon Mitrebox and LN mitresaw?

So it is not clear whether all his tools reside inside this chest, or only the ones that he believes would be used by the typical 18C cabinetmaker?

Somehow I doubt that it is the former.

I enjoyed the read.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[GazPal]

I find it real hard to believe that Chris Swartz always used this tool box with just the right amount of minimalist tools. I think more likely he has put in enough time and tried enough tools[not to mention collecting a few along the way] and arrived at this opinion that he like most others have a lot of tools they don't need.I also don't think he throws away nice tools he's given to try out or has gotten rid of his favorite infills because of this book writing. Len

Minimalism may be all well and good, but what you will find among craftsmen is the possession of a basic kit of tools which tends to expand or contract depending upon the work in which they specialise or are involved in at any given time. Having such a facility often makes all of the difference between "only just managing" to carry out certain types of work due to limited equipment/tools and being able to "comprehensively" move between projects without having to put too much thought into whether or not a set of tools will match.

Kits tend to be made up to suit work in first fix carpentry, second fix joinery, cabinetmaking, etc. and whilst there's a great deal of overlap in terms of tools seeing service, you'll also find more specialised pieces within each kit, plus spares.

 

[Jacob]

Minimal essential kit is what we thought we got in 1982 tops-course-basic-kit-1982-t54291.html
To be realistic you'd only be able to do about 90% of all woodwork with the tops list. No mouldings the most obvious omission - but then bevels are often an easy substitute
At the last count the list was as follows:
1 toolbox - made week 5.
5 1/2 Record jack plane
26" hand saw 6tpi
22" panel saw 10tpi
14" tenon saw 14tpi
3 Marples firmer chisels 1" 3/4" 1/2"
Rabone Combination square
16oz claw hammer
Nail pullers
sliding bevel
double sided oil stone - box made week 6
big screwdriver
little ratchet screwdriver
2 ft boxwood rule
nail punch
brace & bit
one 32mm bit for yale locks.
mallet
S&J carpenters axe
marking guage
bradawl