Got a $400 gift certificate to spend at Lie-Nielsen heirloom woodworks. I'm a beginner luthier (solid body electrics) and furniture maker. What are the essential basic hand tools for a hobbiest? [more inside]
posted by spicynuts on Apr 5, 2011 - 11 answers

I need to cut a concave hemicircular "trench" in the side of a ~1" thick piece of maple (i.e., along the 1" side, with the direction of the grain). What's the best way of doing this? The only power tool I have is a cordless drill; I'm willing to purchase any (relatively inexpensive) hand tools I might need, but don't have space for any new power tools.
posted by backseatpilot on Jun 8, 2010 - 36 answers

I'm a not-too-handy college student who needs a final project for a required woodshop course. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by mccarty.tim on Oct 9, 2008 - 13 answers

I want to learn some basic carpentry. Preferably through a class so I can get some hands on training. I know next to nothing about carpentry, never even had a shop class. Does anyone know of carpentry classes or schools in NY?
posted by bingwah on Jan 13, 2006 - 6 answers

Cutting Tools: I want to cut shapes out of thick stacks of paper and maybe wood laminates. Easy enough, right? Except I want to be able to do cuts that only go from one point in the interior to another point in the interior -- cuts that don't go all the way across or otherwise break the edge. Are there good choices for tools? [more inside]
posted by weston on Dec 30, 2005 - 12 answers