Comments on: Psst, Hey Troublemaker. Wanna Buy a Book?

By: vttoonses

vttoonses — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:56:03 +0000

Chris,

I bought both your book and “The New Traditional Woodworker” and the biggest issue I have with them is looking at monster lists of tools that I seemingly have to buy before I can do anything (I’m new to woodworking). I’ve decided to buy one tool, use it to chop/slice/cut/etc big pieces of scrap hardwood into little ones and repeat until I have enough to actually make something.

In this endeavor, I wanted to let you know that I contacted Walt at Brass City Records and just purchased a #6 Stanley Foreplane from him. He was very helpful and is now looking for a good crosscut saw for me. Thanks for putting the resources appendix in your book; that saved me a couple hundred bucks and steered me to a good quality tool right there.

Gene

By: bernierunns

bernierunns — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:48:45 +0000

As a fellow Arkansan, I fully agree.

By: Matejek

Matejek — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:46:16 +0000

Hey Chris, Just got another cabinet job so with some “extra” money I plan on ordering your new book. Now for my rant- Does anybody care that woodworkers are alive and well in the state of Arkansas? You used to live here! Doug Stowe and the guys at Old Street Tools are in Eureka Springs but thats it ! How about a show closer to home. With the new Crystal Bridges Art Museum opening this week I hope more people pay attention to this beautiful state. Bring some cool woodworking home man. “You can take the boy out of Arkansas, but you can’t take Arkansas out of the boy.” (sorry ,had to write it) Thanks, Jeffrey Matejek

By: Christopher Schwarz

Christopher Schwarz — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:57:53 +0000

I use the wooden ones for narrow stock and break out the aluminum ones for wide stock. So I can’t decide, either.

By: corgicoupe

corgicoupe — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:14:39 +0000

Hey Chris,

What’s your final vote on the winding sticks. You say you take the pretty ones to shows but use the aluminum angle. And you suggest everyone should make their own from wood. Anyway, I closed the book a bit confused on this one. Overall it’s a great read.

By: mctoons

mctoons — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:33:10 +0000

Having read both books I completely agree that they complement each other. I think where they converge is on the philosophy of building things to last for generations in a safer, more quiet and family friendly way. I believe the fundamental message from both Chris and Jim, along with others like Roy Underhill is that of patience and perceverience, both of which are severely lacking in the world today because life gets more hectic all the time. Someone mentioned Dick Proenneke in another comment. I think he is the quintessential anarchist based on Chris’ definition. With a few hand tools, some ingenuity, and a lot of perceverience he demonstrated that it is possible to live and thrive in one of the more severe environments on earth. He made and built everything he needed himself, mostly from the raw materials he had at hand. The message from all these great people is to keep working and keep trying. Don’t give up and don’t give in.

By: Window Guy

Window Guy — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:28:49 +0000

Chris thank you for this book well actually all of your books as I have enjoyed them all immensely. You are one of the reasons why I enjoy Hand Tools so much and have learned a a great deal. Your latest book ” The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” was a great read and once I started reading it I had trouble putting it down. You have a unique style of writing which, well at least for me keeps me interested. I also appreciate the step by step process of building these projects. I don’t have the companion DVD yet but plan on adding this also to my collection of your DVD’s.

Steve

By: Bill Lattanzio

Bill Lattanzio — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:00:45 +0000

The Anarchist Toolchest to me is philosophy book, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. It touched on something that many woodworkers, both beginner and advanced, have begun to realize: woodworking as a profession is fading away. A scary thought, especially to me because I’m new to this. My big worry is that I will be unable one day or another to get quality hand tools, that’s why it’s so nice to see companies such as Lie Nielsen and Veritas thriving, among others.
I think that “Aesthetic Anarchy” is something that all woodworkers practice even though it may be subconsciously. Amateur woodworkers are quite important now in the woodworking field, and this book is a great starting point for an amateur who may want to get into the craft. In that sense Chris Schwarz may be the most important woodworker of the generation. He’s decided to take up the banner of traditional woodworking and this book basically is the beginning of his journey, in my opinion.
To me though, the greatest anarchist of the last 100 years was Richard Proenneke. He is a personal hero, and while not truly a cabinetmaker, a truly great woodworker. If anybody reads this, check out his story. He is the reason I am a woodworker today.

By: StuartB

StuartB — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:21:12 +0000

Chris, Thanks for the book. I bought a copy shortly after it was published and it proved very timely as I was in the process of re-thinking my own shop and future woodworking direction (see stuartblanchard.com). Many years ago I used a tool chest (sort of based on one by Tony Konavalof in FWW) but gave it up after moving to another shop where it didn’t seem to fit as well. After reading The Anarchist’s Tool Chest I realized that it was the layout that needed improvement to fit my needs (a good reason not to copy someone else’s chest precisely), and that I should shortly build another chest that would best fit my needs. The book was invaluable in helping think through how to best clean out unused tools, jigs, etc. to make room for the things that really mattered. Thanks for all your efforts in encouraging good woodworking.

By: Dean

Dean — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:59:48 +0000

Here’s your engraved plane link.