Made Hand Tools

Build your own precision layout tool. All it takes are a few pieces of aluminum and a little time at the table saw and drill press. A good square is one tool that’s indispensable in the shop. I use it on just about every project I build. But some squares aren’t all...

PDF Download: Full PDF plans and templates for Andre Roubo's try square. Download: Complete Plans for Roubo's Try SquareAndre Roubo's 18th-century plans for a try square – which he called a "triangle" – is one of the most beautiful pieces of workshop...

All it takes to make a set of precision layout tools is a relaxing afternoon in the shop. Try squares look simple but play a crucial role in any shop. Primarily they help you determine if something is perfectly square. Although these are precision tools try squares...

Create your own set of shop hammers using brass stock and a chunk of hardwood. You’re sure to pick up a few new skills along the way. Small brass hammers come in handy more often than you’d think. The compact design makes them perfect for chopping out mortises or the...

Keep your chisels and other tools close at hand and protected with this classic wall case. Chisels get used on just about every project you build. So having them close at hand is a must. Plus they need to be protected so they stay sharp. The solution to both these...

These hand-made specialty chisels are sure to be a treasured addition to your hand tool collection. When our designer Chris Fitch showed up in our shop with this set of chisels everyone dropped what they were doing to take a look. They got a lot of attention. The...

A few pieces of scrap some hardware and a cabinet scraper are all it takes to build a set of fine hand tools. Removing marks and ridges left over from machining and hand tool shaping can be a challenge. For many of these types of tasks we turn to a scraper shave. This...

Make an heirloom tool and learn the secret to creating double dovetails in metal — it’s easier than you think. Hand tools are fascinating. Often times they’re a simple form that is designed for one purpose. How they look is overshadowed by how they perform. Of course...

These shop-made edge clamps are bound to come in handy when gluing hardwood edging on plywood. If you build a lot of projects that use 3/4" plywood you know covering the exposed edges of the plywood with strips of solid wood edging is a fairly routine matter. In spite...

Wooden layout tools can be superior to metal ones. They are lightweight inexpensive and as accurate as woodworking requires. Based on an antique English layout square this shop project is easy on the eyes accurate easily replaceable and awesome to use. What you get:...