I’m a big Stanley Kubrick fan. This world-renowned director produced several masterpiece films during his career. Of his entire body of work, my favorite movie was 2001: A Space Odyssey.
One of the most pivotal moments in the entire film was when one troop of proto-humans is visited by the monolith, and shortly thereafter discovers the use of tools. That gave them a key edge in the competition for survival.
As humans, our use of tools has allowed us to do many things. Whether it’s a surgeon performing delicate open heart surgery, or construction crews building a massive bridge, tools make it possible.
And, in our workshops, we use tools to work with wood to create projects from the most basic and mundane to the most extreme piece of artwork. That in itself is impressive, but there are also folks who go beyond and build their own tools.
This week, let us know if you have ever built your own tool. Power or hand, big or small, it doesn’t matter. One key point of clarification… it has to be the tool you built. A router jig or bench hook is a device that improves the existing tool, while a Krenov inspired plane or disc sander you made with a plywood platen powered by a washing machine motor is a tool in itself.
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I’ve built one or two, but it wasn’t tough. Just took me some time to get around to doing it.
I’ve been a Tool & Die Maker for 35 years so it naturally exchanges over into my woodworking. Also wood is a lot more fun and easier than steel.
I’ve built several tools including forging a couple of knives. They were fun and required time and patience.
I build my own tools whenever I have the time. There is a lot of satisfaction in using some thing that you made with your own hands.
I’ve built a few in the way of jigs, push sticks and blocks. Not that hard, just don’t have that much time to build every thing.