Follow our Facebook page for free woodworking goodness! - Stumpy Nubs Woodworking Journal is a multi-media publication designed for weekend woodworkers of all skill levels. Each issue contains a selection of articles and videos about woodworking techniques (hand and power tools), jigs and shop improvements, unique projects, skill building tutorials, tool reviews and quick tips.
Take a virtual tour of the TWO Stumpy Nubs Woodworking Journal shops and learn about all the tools we use every day and recommend to our subscribers!
The shops are always changing, so come back and visit frequently. This is a great place to “sit back and have a cold one, because you’ve earned it, my friend!”
Now, let’s take a tour of…
The hand tool area is my favorite part of the workshop! This is where all the old-timey tools are kept including all the hand planes, chisels all the other razor sharp toys! It’s one of the most visible parts of the shop since it serves as a backdrop for the narration in many of our videos.
We get a lot of questions about this part of the workshop. No, I don’t use all those planes regularly. The wooden moulding planes are fun to use occasionally, but the only ones that see regular use are some of the iron bench planes. Sorry to spoil the mystery!
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This is not even close to a full list of the hand tools I own. I am concentrating on the ones I use most and will add more later. I often have several versions of a tool, both new and antique (collectable).
Numbered Bench Planes- I have several sets of numbered bench planes, often with different iron (cutter) configurations for different purposes. Nobody needs this many. I use the WoodRiver planes the most because they are of excellent quality. But I also love to use my antique Stanley planes when I’m feeling sentimental.
Other Numbered Bench Planes-
Block Planes- I have several block planes, but hey all come down to large or small versions of standard or low angle planes. My favorites are the Bridge City versions, followed by the WoodRiver set. But again, the antique Stanleys are sentimental users.
Combination Planes- These can be fun to use, but are mostly fun to collect. They can be very finicky to setup and require some finesse to use. The most difficult part of collecting is finding all the parts!
Joinery Planes- Of these, the shoulder planes get the most use, followed by the router planes. These are essential joinery tools, in my opinion. I prefer the WoodRiver versions because they are very precise. But I also keep the Stanley versions as a collector.
Specialty Planes- sentimental users.
Wood-bodied Planes- These planes, which are lined up on the shelves behind me in many videos, draw a lot of attention and questions. No, they are not all the same. And no, I don’t have even close to a complete set (if such a thing is even attainable). They into several categories, each with graduated sizes. Some cut complex profiles like router bits. Others can be combined to create any complex profile you wish. Still others are intended for making joints or for other specific uses. These planes are pieces of history, some dating back to the mid-1700’s. I use many of them occasionally, but their main purpose is for teaching about and preserving the history of our craft. Wood-bodied Moulding Planes- These cut decorative profiles. Traditionally, complex crown mouldings were made by combining a series of basic shapes, each cut with a separate plane. Later, dedicated planes were made to cut complex profiles. Here I am listing some of the “sets” that I own in graduated sizes. I obviously can’t list all the unique profiles.
Wood-bodied Joinery Planes- These planes are typically used for making joints such as rabbets, dados and grooves.
Wood-bodied Specialty Planes- These are some of the antique special-use planes I own
Chisels- I have a lot of chisels. More than anyone needs. There is some value to having different sets for different purposes, with different bevel angles. And there are some specialty chisels worth owning too. But the average woodworker only needs a handful of chisels. This is simply a list of the favorites in my shop. Premium Bench Chisels-
Good Budget Bench Chisels-
Antique bench chisels-
Specialty Chisels-
Other Chisels-
Hand carving tools-
Hand Saws-
Mallets and Hammers-
Grinding and power sharpening-
The shops are always changing, so come back and visit frequently. This is a great place to “sit back and have a cold one, because you’ve earned it, my friend!”
And for more tool reviews and recommendations, check out our “Cool Tools” series!
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