Yesterday I became a Neanderthal...

[Martin Shupe]

Yesterday I took the one day hand cut dovetail class from Kelly Mehler at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking south of Indy.

Tomorrow I start a 5 day hand cut blanket chest class.

When I first signed up, I thought I might be getting in way over my head. I am very relieved to say I did OK for my first time.

I will take pictures and post them when I get home.

The first dovetail was one big one, then two, then three, all through.

At the end of the day, he showed us how to cut a half blind, and gave us the wood to take home and use to make it.

I learned a heck of a lot, and have really enjoyed the one day class, and I am looking forward to the 5 day class.

Well, I have to go sharpen my chisels...

[Dave Anderson NH]

There is both an up side and a down side to starting to do hand work. For the up side, you are adding to your skills and will be able to do things which can't be done with power tools. The down side is a bit larger;

1) What you used to think was sharp is no longer adequate

2) So many new toys... err.... tools to buy

3) More tools to buy

4) More new skills to develop

5) Still more tools to buy

6) A new interest arises- making tools

7) The NEED for a new bench

8) And now the slope starts to get reallllly slippery.....