Comments on: Do Power Tools Have Soul?

By: Marty

Marty — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:39:56 +0000

I think hand tools and power tools develop a ‘soul’ after being used many years. I bet that if you had managed to retain one of those cordless (along with a supply of batteries) over a 20 year period, you’d be hard pressed to throw it away if it continued to work. It will have developed character in your mind, as you came to know all of its quirks and the dings that proved its usefulness over the years.

My new tools have no soul. But my 20 year old circular saw is special to me even though I rarely use it now. I can look at it and think of all the previous projects it had a hand in, and smile to myself.

Sounds like that Delta bandsaw, of which I own one myself, has become attached to you. Good for it, and you.

By: tom77ish

tom77ish — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:10:50 +0000

“I go through cordless drills like they’re popcorn.” That reminds me of the way we used to buy a new car about every two years because that’s when they used to start breaking down. Foreign competition was a reason to start building in a little better quality. So what was it that went wrong with those drills? Battery maybe? But the battery is a small part of the drill and is easily replaceable right? Unfortunately not easily and usually not even possible. Isn’t there something very wrong about throwing out a tool because it costs more to replace a battery than the tool costs?

By: tom77ish

tom77ish — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:55:41 +0000

Not exactly a reply but since I just registered I don’t yet know how to start a comment.
“I go through cordless drills like they’re popcorn”. Reminds me of when folks bought a new car every couple years because they tended to start breaking down then. I suspect you discard those drills simply because the battery goes bad. Of course the battery makes up a small amount of the cost of the drill right?
Unfortunately not. With our cars, foreign manufacturers forced our industry to produce a competitive product. So what about an easily replaceable battery for these drills we’re throwing away?

By: jgourlay

jgourlay — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:51:16 +0000

I find the ‘romance’ to very much depend on the tool. With handtools, it’s very easy to distinguish the good from the bad from the ‘shows promise’. The ‘shows promise’ tools are well within our capabilities to make shine by the addition of time and love. Also, there aren’t many hand tools we use that don’t combine contemplative quiet with the contemplative focus required for fine control. So, there is a natural mood there. And…right or wrong we’re not subconsciously afraid of our backsaws.

I find I get the same sensation with power tools, but only in similar circumstances. The biggest counter example is the screaming chop saw. Nothing about that tool is going to inspire affection. But, my 70 year old lathe is a totally different story. It’s quiet (enough), nothing about it makes me edgy, and I can easily (and safely) slip into that zone of manufacturing paradise. It gets as much love and care and concern as any handtool I own.

By: naterajj

naterajj — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 04:05:24 +0000

You know, I got started in woodworking because I couldn’t believe our dinning room set started to fall apart after a couple of years, I asked myself, how hard can it be to make a good chair? people have been doing that for thousands of years…

I have not attempted to build one yet, but I can tell you there are not that many books on the subject.

By: Matthew Teague

Matthew Teague — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 23:53:01 +0000

Well said. Wonder what that means for the tool makers?

By: Matthew Teague

Matthew Teague — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 23:50:31 +0000

Thanks for the vote of confidence. It’s on my list. As are many things. But yes, chair making is addictive, and I’m sure you’ll see more from me on the subject. I’ve written a good bit on it over the years, but most of that has been kept between me and my computer. I’m sure I’ll force at least some of it on you before too long.

By: Matthew Teague

Matthew Teague — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 23:44:20 +0000

Thanks. That sounds like informed advice. I’ll move slowly on this one. . . .

By: Matthew Teague

Matthew Teague — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 23:42:49 +0000

All good ideas. I also monkey with the saw going from the angle on chair rails back (which I try to keep consistent from one design to the next) back to 90. And doing so consistently. So I’ve considered leaving the table on one angled and calling it a day. Or maybe setting up one for resawing veneers. Time will tell. . . .
Thanks for reading.

By: Bill Lattanzio

Bill Lattanzio — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 18:21:53 +0000

If you believe that a hand tool has soul then I don’t think a power tool would be any different. The “soul” in my opinion, comes from the objects that we make with our tools, not the tools themselves. I will be the last to argue the importance of any tool. There are certain handtools I own that I will never part with, but I think that all of the tools in my shop are important if I’m using them to work wood.