Talked to an old timer at the lumber yard last week. Hit different.

Guy told me he still uses a hand plane for final fit on all his face frames. Said he tried every new trick over 40 years and always came back to this one tool. Made me think about all the sanding I do instead. Tried it on a drawer front yesterday. Took less time and the joint felt way better. He said machines get you close but your hands get it right. Any of you guys still use hand tools for final fit?

3 comments

3 Comments

leo_fisher15d ago

I spent like 10 years chasing the perfect router bit setup for drawer fronts before I realized it doesn't actually save time. Hand plane takes me maybe 3 minutes per joint and I don't have to set up a table or clean up dust. People act like it's some old school art form but its just practical.

lee_reed15d ago

Funny how we spend years buying tools just to learn the simplest ones work best...

bettyroberts15d ago

Heard @leo_fisher mention hand planes and honestly been thinking about trying that same trick myself.