Thinking of getting into tool making

[Matt Lau]

Firstly, I'm an idiot.

Secondly, I'm a passionate idiot.
It may be Chris Schwartz, Adam Cherubini's strikingly elegant knife, or this (http://www.jimbodetools.com/Drop-Dead-Stunning-Early-Dividers-In-Solid-Buffalo-Horn-With-Steel-Points-And-Brass-Trimmings-p11581.html)...but I'm seriously thinking of making some tools...

Anyways, I don't know too much about these lovely old tools.
Here in Alameda, there isn't much in the way of traditional tools aside from Japan Woodworker and Hida tools (not exactly western).

As a neophyte, I'd like to scratch the collective minds of my fellow Neanders:
1. What is a strikingly beautiful tool (both functionally and esthetically).
2. Tips on tooling up/skills to get (eg. traditional machining or CNC).
3. Points of inspiration (Krenov, Matthieson, Winchester...)

I want to create something truly lovely that I can use, pass on to future generations, and give as gifts.

-Matthew

ps. I think that it'd be interesting to replicate those calipers as a first tool. Any tips on cutting buffalo horn would be appreciated.

pps. Don't expect any prototypes until late next year. I'm putting together my first real workshop.

[Jim Koepke]

Step one shoot buffalo...

Really though I think there is a big flea market during the warm months at the old Alameda Naval Air Base. I think there is another over by Laney College.

If you want more details I will get them from my brother, he goes there at times.

I know there is one person I met there who lives on the other side the bay that has a basement and a shop full of tools to sell.

Just know what you should be paying before you go, some of the stuff is way over priced. Others will have it priced to move. Just like any other flea market or yard sale.

On the other side of things, you may want to start with making simple but useful items if you haven't already done such. Things like marking knives, try squares and marking or slitting gauges. You could also turn some handles for chisels or make a handle for a saw.

A saw handle I likely my next tool making challenge when time allows. I have a saw plate that needs a handle. After that, I may try to make the whole saw. Little steps lead to a long road.

jim

[george wilson]

Buffalo horn turns very nicely in a lathe. I've used it in many projects. It is the same thing your fingernails are made of,pretty much. Not too hard. Carves and files nicely,too.

[Jeff Burks]

Just some random thoughts on tool making.

Read blog entries by Konrad Sauer (http://www.sauerandsteiner.com/news/) and Bill Carter (http://www.billcarterwoodworkingplanemaker.co.uk/index.html) - both make excellent metal planes and document their craft with photographs.

Watch Jameel's video (http://www.khalafoud.com/media/bresesbphi.wmv) of Ron Brese making a prototype plane in his shop.

You could buy an infill plane kit or a saw kit and see if you have what it takes to be a tool maker without a lot of investment.

CNC is usually out of the price range of most small tool makers.

Machining Skills for Protoype Devlopment (http://techtv.mit.edu/genres/24-how-to/videos/142-machine-shop-1).
Erik Vaaler at the MIT robotics department put together a 10 part series of instructional videos for the students who would be using the machine shop to fabricate prototype parts. It is an excellent overview of proper shop practice - Vertical Milling Machine, Drill Press, Metal Lathe, Bandsaw, Grinders, Sanders, Layout and marking tools. Highly Recommended!

Get an account at SmartFlix (http://smartflix.com/) and start getting DVDs in the mail every week.

Especially recommend the videos by Rudy Kouhoupt (http://smartflix.com/store/author/23/Rudy-Kouhoupt). The 10 DVDs by Darrell Holland (http://smartflix.com/store/author/75/Darrell-Holland) on the Bridgeport Vertical Mill and Metal Lathe are just awesome.

YouTube user mrpete222 (http://www.youtube.com/user/mrpete222#p/u) aka tubalcain has a nice set of videos on sand casting and foundry work + small engine making. All very educational content in a great teaching style.

Larry Williams has 2 videos (http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1320) about making molding planes in a small shop.
Making Traditional Side Escapement Planes (180 minutes!)
Sharpening Profiled Hand Tools

Norse Woodsmith (http://norsewoodsmith.com/category/general/tools/toolmaking) had a lot of great blog posts/articles on making tools in a small shop.

Speaking of buffalo horn, I was just thinking about a bow making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoPvX8bHt1s) video that is archived on YouTube. The sky is the limit with YouTube, you would be surprised at how many topics can teach you skills that translate to small shop tool making.

There will be lots of videos on knife making, flint knapping, fly rods, kites, model airplanes, leatherworking, pattern making, metal casting, painting, milling, carving, etc etc - much of which will be useful in crafting metal tools. If it exists, chances are somebody filmed it for YouTube.

For beautiful tools I would suggest taking a look at:
Art of Fine Tools (http://www.amazon.com/Art-Fine-Tools-2-E/dp/1561583618/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273123263&sr=8-2)
Tools Rare and Ingenious (http://www.amazon.com/Tools-Rare-Ingenious-Celebrating-Amazing/dp/1561586560/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273123263&sr=8-1)

Another great source would be old auction listings (http://www.davidstanley.com/tools%20we%20have%20sold%202.htm)

[Derek Cohen]

1. What is a strikingly beautiful tool (both functionally and esthetically).

Anything made by our George Wilson! Do a search here ... better still, perhaps George will post some pictures :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

[george wilson]

Some of my tools can be seen in the FAQ dept. of this forum,at the top of the page. I have gotten out of the picture posting mood. Need to get back into it. One problem is that most of my work was photographed by me(not a great photographer) on 400 speed slides. I'm not sure what the quality of slides made with that coarse grained film will be. At any rate,I need to get them put on discs.

[Bob Strawn]

1. What is a strikingly beautiful tool (both functionally and esthetically).

Anything made by our George Wilson! Do a search here ... better still, perhaps George will post some pictures :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek is being modest, better off looking at Derek's Tool Making (http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/index.html) for Encouragement in making tools. George Wilson's work inspires awe, but can cause even an experienced tool maker to have feelings of inadequacy. Despite that I have to agree with Derek, George should post some pictures!

If you want examples of nice functional tools that you can easily improve on, checking out The tools I have made at my blog (http://toolmakingart.com/) may be of use too. The Tool Making Resources (http://toolmakingart.com/toolmaking-resources/) Page has a lot of good links as does the blog roll.

Lots of people can talk, and lots of them have opposable thumbs, but do they make tools? It's really the intelligent thing to do!

Bob

[Derek Cohen]

Hi Bob

I owe you a beer or two (or three) for those kind words. Thanks.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Matt Lau]

Derek, I forgot to mention that your work was partly to blame--inspire (ahem) me to try this crazy thing. Your infills are particularly tasty.

I'm not sure about George Wilson's tools--as I can't seem to use the search function properly. I'm sure that they're gorgeous...any direct links?

I will be looking into the Smartflix, and I'll be buying both toolporn books (after my Kingshott book comes in the mail). I can't afford to be too tempted though, I've got to save money for Dental Continued Ed...

Anyways, keep the tips coming.

[Jim Koepke]

Matt,

You do not need to search, though it might help.

A lot of them are in Heading #6 in the Neanderthal wisdom/FAQs thread:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=103805

jim

[Leigh Betsch]

Anyone who is serious about getting into Tool Making should enroll in a votech school and learn how to machine metal correctly and efficiently. The normal progression to becoming a Toolmaker is 2 years votech and 4 years as an apprentice, then you can claim to be a journeyman, but even then you don't really know enough. There are some that have picked up this trade entirely on the job but you really need to work with journeymen to help teach you the trade. It will take you a lot of time to get good at it without experienced people to help you learn. Making a few one off tools with belt sanders and bench grinders can be done but referring to this as tool making is a very simplistic definition of a Toolmaker. A very basic shop should have a lathe, verticle mill, a surface grinder and about $5k in hand tools.
Sorry about the rant but I am a Toolmaker by trade and very proud of the craft. I've built Tools, Dies, Molds, Jigs and Fixtures, many costing over $250,000 and taking months to build. Using all the machine tools available to man, manual and CNC, lathes, mills, wire edms, sinker edms, cylindrical grinders, surface grinders, jig grinders on and on.... to tolerances that not many can relate to.

Having said that, if you want to learn how to make hand planes and tools for wood working for you own use or in limited numbers by all means have at it. It can be very satisfying. You don't have to be a great machinist or have afull blown shop to turn out some pretty good work; you just won’t be as quick and as accurate as someone with training and a complete tool shop to work in. I would recommend though taking a night class at a votech school. You will learn the safe way to use machine tools, which machines are needed for each operation and you will learn machining correctly. Not to mention more about the practical apilcation of steel and heat treating than what many engineers know. Toolmaking is a great trade and I encourage anyone with an interest to get involved.

[Matt Lau]

First, thanks everyone for the tips.

I don't plan on being a professional toolmaker, as I'm a dentist.
I focus mainly on being the best dentist possible.
However, there's a limit to how much dentistry that a guy can handle each day in a sane manner (hence the old adage about dentists and suicide).

I plan to learn just enough about toolmaking to prototype stuff.
My work will mainly be "gent's tools" that are sawed out of steel and brass, horn and wood, and occasionally carbon fiber and stone.

I'll probably be using a jeweler's saw, hacksaw, drill, and foredom for the fabrication...and a set of vintage taps that I found at a garage sale.

It'll all be distinctly impractical.
I doubt that I can consider it precision work.
Hopefully, it'll be beautiful.

[Johnny Kleso]

Matt,
If your drilling thin brass a toolmakers trick is to put small flats in the flutes cutting edge..

You want a small flat on the sprial cutting edge..
This is often done on the side of a grinding wheel or you can hand stone it..
This will stop the sheet metal from lifting and spinning 90% of the time..
So always use clamp with thin stock if you like your fingers..

[Matt Lau]

Johnny, that's a great tip...and I'll file it away.
I'm new to the filing thing though. Is it filing a flat surface on the inside of the flute?


George, your work is amazing!
I'm incredibly awed that you made this all by hand.
Particularly your bronze drill is very well proportioned and beautiful.
Do you draw out a layout first, free form your work, or do you pattern after some tools that you have?