Every six weeks or so, I volunteer to assist with a Core Tools class that the Guild of Oregon Woodworkers puts on. Core Tools is the final class most members need to complete in order to be certified to utilize the Guild’s machine room. We cover the miter saw, jointer, planer, band saw, drill press and table saw. It’s really rewarding to see (mostly) new woodworkers tackle their nerves and see what they are capable of. 🪚 🪵
In the most recent class session after one student successfully surfaced two sides of his board on the jointer, I asked how it felt. He said, “I’m pissed off!” I’ve never had that response before! It turns out he’s been planing boards by hand for 3 years and he had never had a board so precisely surfaced. He was still laughing about his ‘wasted time’ at the end of the afternoon. I’m curious to see where his woodwork evolves with this new knowledge, but I hope he doesn’t give up wholly on hand tools!
