OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

180010 "Washington, Aubrey O." <awashington@o...> 2008‑05‑23 Intro and Question
Greetings, All,

I would like to post a question to the group. But, first a brief
introduction seems in order. I was once an active participant on the
porch but have been on hiatus for about a decade. I rejoined a week or
so ago and have been mostly lurking. I am a clinical psychologist by day
and a blacksmith by night (and weekend). I also have a reasonable
assortment of woodworking tools. Most of the smithing I do is small
stuff such as hardware, trinkets, tools, knives, utensils, etc. I
demonstrate at a few medieval and ren. fairs a year. My son is a jouster
and makes armor, so I am frequently called upon to repair weapons,
armor, etc. at fairs for him and his jousting buddies. These repairs
often involve wood and leather in addition to metal. So, in addition to
my blacksmith equipment, I always take leather and woodworking tools to
fairs with me.

This leads me to my questions. What ideas do you have for designing a
toolbox to carry a few essential woodworking tools with me? Also, what
tools would you consider essential? Here are a few thoughts that I have
had. I would like the toolbox to double as a low work bench/saw horse
that I could clamp a piece of wood to for drilling, sawing, planing,
shaving (drawknife or spoke shave), etc. And, of course, it should
provide convenient storage and access to the essential tools.

Essential tools? Saws (crosscut, rip, gents?) Block plane General
purpose bench plane (#4, 5, or 6?) Draw knife Spoke shave Brace and
bits Eggbeater and metal twist bits 2 or 3 chisels (1/4", 1/2", 1"?)
(What else?)

Any thoughts? Any pictures or drawings of tool boxes? How would you hold
down round stock (e.g., 1 1/2" dowel) for shaving, etc.?

Aubrey Washington Rock Creek Forge Norman, OK
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Recent Bios FAQ