WHY YOU NEED A VERNIER SCALE
OLD-TIMEY WOODWORKING James Hamilton OLD-TIMEY WOODWORKING James Hamilton

WHY YOU NEED A VERNIER SCALE

A vernier caliper may look intimidating, but once you shift from fractions to decimals, it becomes one of the most precise measuring tools in the shop. With a little practice, you’ll be able to read measurements down to thousandths of an inch or hundredths of a millimeter with total confidence.

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HAMMERS AND MALLETS WOODWORKERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
TIPS James Hamilton TIPS James Hamilton

HAMMERS AND MALLETS WOODWORKERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Choosing the right hammer or mallet for the task can make woodworking safer, more precise, and more efficient. From cross-peen and ball-peen hammers to dead-blow, lump, and brass mallets, each tool has unique uses that every woodworker should understand.

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IS JAPAN SLOWLY KILLING WESTERN-STYLE SAWS?
SAWS James Hamilton SAWS James Hamilton

IS JAPAN SLOWLY KILLING WESTERN-STYLE SAWS?

But there’s still a great deal of confusion about how these saws work, the differences between the types available, and whether a Japanese saw is right for you. Most videos and articles focus on the benefits of these tools while largely ignoring the downsides. In this article, I want to present a clear, concise guide to the pros and cons of the three most common types of Japanese saws, so you can make an informed decision about which to try—if any at all.

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WHY A LOT OF TOOL STEEL IS BAD
OLD-TIMEY WOODWORKING James Hamilton OLD-TIMEY WOODWORKING James Hamilton

WHY A LOT OF TOOL STEEL IS BAD

Discover whether antique chisels truly outperform modern tools as we explore the evolution of western tool steel—from bloomeries and blister steel to crucible steel and today’s advanced alloys. Learn why modern chisels often deliver better performance, sharper edges, and greater reliability than vintage favorites.

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