Technically, the lathe isn't a handtool because it is not a tool you hold in your hand. The chisel is the handtool. The lathe is closer to a fancy clamp.
There was just a little survey on one of the Facebook groups that asked what to electrical tools would you keep if he could only have two electrical tools. Oddly enough, after some consideration, I answered a bandsaw and a lathe…. And I think I stood alone with that decision. It was curious to see that you essentially hit it right on the head when it comes to my way of thinking with this. I think you do great work, it’s good to Feel that I have finally elevated my approach and grasp of the art at least a little bit!
Your logic is valid. If the electric lathe is not a tool, whether it be hand or power. The tool is the chisel or gouge. The lathe simply rotates the wood stock, a pole lathe, treadle lathe, steam engine powered line shaft or electric, they all use a mechanical force to rotate the timber. If one form of power is disallowed as ‘hand tool’ then all must be disallowed. All spindles would then be formed with hand planes and draw knives etc.
I agree with you that the lathe is a hand tool because all it will do is spin until there’s a power cut or you switch it off It is only until you put hands to it will it produces the item you want to turn so therefore the lathe is a hand tool 👍👍
I think the discussion centers around the definition of the phrase "hand tool". The definition given the video seems to imply that any tool that gives the user great freedom while requiring the user to command great hand skill is thus considered "hand tool". My take is that, I don't care about whether a tool is "hand tool" or "not hand tool". Everyone have a unique situation, do what you have to do or love to do. Great work.
Interesting question. I wasn't going to reply, mainly because I don't have a preference for tool selection, hand tool - power tool, they both achieve the same result, a finished wood product. I don't think any 18th century craftsmen would have refused to use power tools if available to them, they wouldn't turn their noses up at boards that came out of a power parallel planer. I think they would have welcomed power tools. I think the more important question is what materials are used. Plywood is great for it's intended purpose (utilitarian), which I don't think is fine furniture; and particleboard, while used in low end furniture, doesn't last long and usually fractures at the joinery. To me, woodworking means working wood, solid wood, which produces a product displaying the beauty of nature, the colors & grain configurations. How we get there - power or by hand - doesn't matter. But, that is just my opinion, for what it's worth.
I agree. The objective of my channel, however, is to hold on to the knowledge and skills of the past. In other words, I don't care if someone wants to use power tools as long as they know how to do it by hand as well. I think the spread of power tools as enabled people with no skill to enjoy woodworking. That's great, but it is also contributing to the loss of knowledge. In my opinion, a true woodworker should be able to accomplish the same tasks with and without the aid of power tools. You never know when the power is going to go out for good!!
Yep, I agree with you. To compare it with the bandsaw again the lathe is doing the work that the human does on the bandsaw i.e. moving the wood. The cutting which is obviously done by the bandsaw blade is done by the human on the lathe using the chisels. The lathe is a powered wood mover, not a power tool.
I can't disagree with your criteria. I have an additional one that I apply in my shop... nothing inside that requires dust collection. I suspect I would need dust collection even if I did make a body powered lathe.
That's true! Never thought of classifying power tools as "dust emitters." You do get fine sawdust when sawing with hand saws, but the particles are much larger than you get with power tools. Good call!
@@TenonsTenors the dust from hand saws is not forcefully propelled throughout the whole room... unless you saw much faster than any human being should be able to move. I dont generally bother with a dust mask unless i am spending a whole afternoon sawing, although, I suspect there are some woods I should be taking more care with.
Eh, I'd consider the chisels the hand tools. The lathe is kinda like a spinning jig. I mean you can make the argument a circular saw and a cordless drill are hand tools too. They're tools, that fit in your hand. And you bring the tool to the work, as opposed to the work to the tool.
Yes! That's the consensus we reached. "Hand tools" tend to refer to tools that do not work due to electricity or batteries, they are not just tools that fit in your hand. So, cordless drills and circular saws are generally not considered "hand tools." At least, not in any of the countries I have lived. Thanks for watching!
@@TenonsTenors Exactly. Generally I just use the term "hand tool" because most people think of it as old fashioned tools. To me, a power tool is something stationary, you bring the work to the tool, and you get machine quality results everytime. Example, a post drill and a drill press. Both give the same machine quality outcome. I think what the core of the argument for people is manual powered vs non manual powered
Technically, the lathe isn't a handtool because it is not a tool you hold in your hand.
The chisel is the handtool.
The lathe is closer to a fancy clamp.
A fancy clamp...I like that!!
I see where your going. Makes sense to me. Was trying to think of another machine to add to this , but I haven’t come up with one yet.
There was just a little survey on one of the Facebook groups that asked what to electrical tools would you keep if he could only have two electrical tools. Oddly enough, after some consideration, I answered a bandsaw and a lathe…. And I think I stood alone with that decision. It was curious to see that you essentially hit it right on the head when it comes to my way of thinking with this. I think you do great work, it’s good to Feel that I have finally elevated my approach and grasp of the art at least a little bit!
Thanks very much! And, thanks for watching!
Your logic is valid. If the electric lathe is not a tool, whether it be hand or power. The tool is the chisel or gouge.
The lathe simply rotates the wood stock, a pole lathe, treadle lathe, steam engine powered line shaft or electric, they all use a mechanical force to rotate the timber.
If one form of power is disallowed as ‘hand tool’ then all must be disallowed. All spindles would then be formed with hand planes and draw knives etc.
Agree!
Agreed, the wood lathe needs so much hand manipulation.
Agreed. Interesting question.
Thanks!
I agree with you that the lathe is a hand tool because all it will do is spin until there’s a power cut or you switch it off It is only until you put hands to it will it produces the item you want to turn so therefore the lathe is a hand tool 👍👍
Thanks! And, thanks for commenting!
I think the discussion centers around the definition of the phrase "hand tool". The definition given the video seems to imply that any tool that gives the user great freedom while requiring the user to command great hand skill is thus considered "hand tool". My take is that, I don't care about whether a tool is "hand tool" or "not hand tool". Everyone have a unique situation, do what you have to do or love to do. Great work.
Agreed! Thanks for watching!
The Chisel is the hand tool. Anyone who complained about the electricity used to turn the lathe better not have electric lights in their shop
Excellent point! I wish I had the time to bring that up before getting kicked out of the discussion group!
I agree with you.....nice discussion starter
Interesting question. I wasn't going to reply, mainly because I don't have a preference for tool selection, hand tool - power tool, they both achieve the same result, a finished wood product. I don't think any 18th century craftsmen would have refused to use power tools if available to them, they wouldn't turn their noses up at boards that came out of a power parallel planer. I think they would have welcomed power tools.
I think the more important question is what materials are used. Plywood is great for it's intended purpose (utilitarian), which I don't think is fine furniture; and particleboard, while used in low end furniture, doesn't last long and usually fractures at the joinery.
To me, woodworking means working wood, solid wood, which produces a product displaying the beauty of nature, the colors & grain configurations. How we get there - power or by hand - doesn't matter. But, that is just my opinion, for what it's worth.
I agree. The objective of my channel, however, is to hold on to the knowledge and skills of the past. In other words, I don't care if someone wants to use power tools as long as they know how to do it by hand as well. I think the spread of power tools as enabled people with no skill to enjoy woodworking. That's great, but it is also contributing to the loss of knowledge. In my opinion, a true woodworker should be able to accomplish the same tasks with and without the aid of power tools. You never know when the power is going to go out for good!!
Yep, I agree with you. To compare it with the bandsaw again the lathe is doing the work that the human does on the bandsaw i.e. moving the wood. The cutting which is obviously done by the bandsaw blade is done by the human on the lathe using the chisels. The lathe is a powered wood mover, not a power tool.
You could say the lathe is your spinning vise and you bring your hand tool to it and work the wood ;)
Exactly!
I can't disagree with your criteria. I have an additional one that I apply in my shop... nothing inside that requires dust collection. I suspect I would need dust collection even if I did make a body powered lathe.
That's true! Never thought of classifying power tools as "dust emitters." You do get fine sawdust when sawing with hand saws, but the particles are much larger than you get with power tools. Good call!
@@TenonsTenors the dust from hand saws is not forcefully propelled throughout the whole room... unless you saw much faster than any human being should be able to move. I dont generally bother with a dust mask unless i am spending a whole afternoon sawing, although, I suspect there are some woods I should be taking more care with.
I full agree unless it's an auto copy lathe 😉
Didn't even know such things existed!! Wow!
That facebook group sound like a fun bunch of lads..
Ha!! Purists are always *fun* aren't they!?
Certainly sounds like a club that 1) wouldn't have me as a member, and 2) I'd never join in the first place
Eh, I'd consider the chisels the hand tools. The lathe is kinda like a spinning jig. I mean you can make the argument a circular saw and a cordless drill are hand tools too. They're tools, that fit in your hand. And you bring the tool to the work, as opposed to the work to the tool.
Yes! That's the consensus we reached. "Hand tools" tend to refer to tools that do not work due to electricity or batteries, they are not just tools that fit in your hand. So, cordless drills and circular saws are generally not considered "hand tools." At least, not in any of the countries I have lived. Thanks for watching!
@@TenonsTenors Exactly. Generally I just use the term "hand tool" because most people think of it as old fashioned tools. To me, a power tool is something stationary, you bring the work to the tool, and you get machine quality results everytime. Example, a post drill and a drill press. Both give the same machine quality outcome. I think what the core of the argument for people is manual powered vs non manual powered