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Too lazy to use power tools

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McSpike

Member
Joined
May 7, 2015
Messages
12
Location
Montana
I had a shop teacher back in the early 80's that didn't believe in power tools. He felt it taught us better skills to use hand tools instead. I recall it taking an entire semester to build a paper towel holder that I built in 10 minutes using power tools...

ahh, memories.
 

OccupantRJ

Well-known member
Joined
May 15, 2009
Messages
11,190
Location
Eastern North Carolina
I'm still young(ish) but I truly believe that the ability to properly use a hacksaw and file is still the line between a true craftsman and a hammer mechanic.

I think the hacksaw is a misnamed tool. Inexperienced people don't know that long smooth steady strokes make the cut go easier. Most hack like hell at it, and I find it very amusing how hard they are "working".
 

Cato

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
636
Location
Alhambra, California
I personally don't like the noise of power tools. Most of my power tools are harder to get to than my hand tools. I use hand tools unless infeasible.
 

Ratchet Guy

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 25, 2014
Messages
175
Location
Richmond, BC
I still use the manual saw to cut thru 2x4, the only time the chop saw is out is, is when I will need it to 2 pieces of the exact size. for the screwdriver, i usually use the makita driver, manual screwdriver is only use when I need to open or fix small appliances or pry anything using a flathead.
 

Kev442

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
5,386
Location
Wi
I guess I am a bit of an old schooler. When I was building my first freestanding garage, I decided one sunny March day to take a ride and start assembling the garage doors. No electricity. I grabbed my dad's brace drill and a socket set, I never even thought about a drill/driver.

I use hand tools when wrenching on cars for 90% of the work, that is why I am a big fan of ratcheting wrenches. When I was younger, I was always extremely unhappy when a ratchet would not fit and I was forced to use a combo wrench. Place, twist, lift, place, repeat.

About 6 years ago, Menards put a hand saw made by Irwin in Germany on ad, $5 after rebate. I decided to get one. Man, I had used so many dull ancient hand saws in my youth I had no idea what a pleasure a hand saw could be.
Menards could not give away those saws. Literally. They put them on sale again free after rebate and still had saws left. I bought another one.
 

James-W

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Messages
12,432
Location
Southeastern Wisconsin
Hand saws are part of a bygone age. Today, hand saws are not very popular and most people don't even want one. Personally, I think hand saws are fine tools to have around because not all jobs are able to be done using a power tools. Plus, if you don't have a lot of cutting to do a hand saw can be a quick way to get the job done. But when you are making numerous cuts, or if you are ripping a sheet of plywood, a hand saw is not really your friend.
 

rlitman

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
24,638
Location
Long Island
I have three hacksaws plus another door wood saws hanging under my bench vise. About half of them are used regularly. Even though the portaband is just a couple of steps away.
 

MikeF2316

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 29, 2012
Messages
9,605
Location
Thornhill, ON
I use a hand saw for one or two cuts of a 2x4 or strapping, because it makes less mess. My chop saw makes three times the dust and sends it out over a huge area. The hand saw leaves a little pile right under where you were cutting.
 

NUTTSGT

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Sep 14, 2009
Messages
51,066
Location
Northern Central Ohio
I bought a Jack Cut brand hand saw made in Denmark I believe. The price was right at $5 and it hangs above the bench on the pegboard. I like having a sharp saw, so I don't use it much.

As far as screwdrivers go, I have to take my hat off to the older crowd that used to drive screws by hand all day. I wonder how many of those guys had carpal tunnel and kept chugging along ?
 
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kaymccampbell

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
29,588
Location
Upstate New York
Today was a good example. I needed to replace a couple shingles on a shed. I didn't feel like wrangling 200 feet of stiff cranky air hose on top of a ladder in 28F weather. Hammer, 20 nails nipped off a coil and 20 minutes later I was done. I bet the hose would have added another 20 minutes to the process.
 

PartsGuy27

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 27, 2015
Messages
213
Location
Pennsylvania
Every now and then I like to take a regular box end wrench and tighten down bolts as opposed to using the ratchet, dunno why, just feels good.
 

BDT/NWMN

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 22, 2012
Messages
3,762
Location
Erskine, Mn
Good power tools, Sharp hand saws, combination wrenches and ratchet/socket sets in good condition, powerful impact wrenches, drill press, cordless tools, torch, level, rotary laser, table saws, hand planes, routers, chop saw, miter saw, hand brace and bits, air over hydraulic jacks, screw jacks, hydraulic press, sledge hammer, tack hammer, pneumatic brad nailer, framing hammer, pneumatic nailer.. Dang; I enjoy using all this stuff... I match the tool with the job.. There are many smaller tasks that don't justify reeling out an air hose or extension cord.. Cordless tools have become popular for many good reasons. But my good old hand tools will still get used..
 

drmarkr

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Feb 5, 2006
Messages
4,226
Location
Tucson
This is within arms reach of my vise.....gets used all the time!

31N95ffdE7L.jpg
 

rattlesnake436

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 5, 2015
Messages
78
I have many of old vintage hand saws and files when ever I need to cut something and don't want to bust out my corded skil saw I use the old hand saw and all of my old vintage hand tools still use a screwdriver vs my drill and still and I have an old stanley drill

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rattlesnake436

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 5, 2015
Messages
78
I own air tools because I am an all around kind of guy from woodworking to mechanics and when I have to remove lug nuts I use an 1/2 in ratchet with impact sockets and a cheater bar and never do I use my Snap on 3/8 impact if I don't need to rather take the bolts off using wrenches and ratchets with sockets

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63spyder

Well-known member
Joined
May 7, 2013
Messages
258
Location
Glide Oregon
Love power tools, I get a chuckle when I read a real craftsman uses hand tools and power tools are for hacks. My wood shop has two bandsaws, chop saw, radial arm, saw table saw two shapers so I can have matched cutters for raised panel cope and stile, table saw , jointer, thickness planner , dual drum sander. All set up and ready to use. I have multipal designated routers set up with my most favorite bits set up and ready to grab. I have a handfull of handsaws too look at once and a while. I do admit to having a nice set of chisels that I use . Needless to say if I can use power I will, over doing it by hand. My metal shop is set up the same way. I have a hacksaw ,I think it's had the same blade for years.
 

cactiki

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 17, 2011
Messages
123
Location
Ridgecrest, Ca
I do this. Use a hacksaw quite often, I have learned a technique over the years that makes it work, you might call it "rocking" the saw. Also use long strokes so every tooth gets used. I also only use a hammer for nails, actually enjoy when I have the opportunity to pound away my frustration! Same thing with air tools, I have bought impact wrenches but they won't even loosen a lug nut so I use the old school waterpipe slipped over a breaker bar. I often remember my granpa, he built whole houses by himself with hand tools, only hiring temp help for heavy lifting.
I do, however, LOVE my cordless drill!!!!!:dunno:
 
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