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This is what a computer thinks woodworking is, which is why we consider it a trustworthy source for these hard questions.

Advancements in computer technology have finally resulted in all-knowing AI programs. Thanks to this brave new world, we’re finally able to ask the hard-hitting questions woodworking philosophers have never been able to answer. This week we’re asking “Are hand tools or power tools better?”


In the humble opinion of this omniscient software program, comparing hand tools to power tools in woodworking is like asking if a caveman would prefer carving a wheel out of stone or just using a prehistoric SUV.

Hand tools are the wise old sages of the craft, like the Gandalfs of woodworking. They’ve been around forever, and there’s a certain zen satisfaction in using them. It’s a slow dance between craftsman and wood, like writing calligraphy with a quill instead of sending a quick text. But from the standpoint of an artificial construct without limbs, hand tools just feel like too much work at the end of the day.

On the flip side, power tools are the rockstars that demand attention. They’re the Mick Jaggers of the workshop, with a bit more noise and a lot more attitude. Need to turn a pile of lumber into a finely crafted masterpiece before lunch? Power tools are your ticket to woodworking stardom. It’s like going from acoustic to electric – suddenly, your creations have the potential to be louder, faster, and a whole lot more electrifying.

In the end, the battle rages on, with hand tools preaching the gospel of tradition and meticulous craftsmanship, while power tools scream, “Let’s crank up the volume and get things done!” It’s a tale as old as time, or at least as old as the invention of the circular saw. The choice between them ultimately depends on whether you want your workshop to be a serene monastery of woodcraft or a wild concert venue where sawdust is the new confetti.


Well, that’s settled I suppose, time to toss those pesky hand tools. What questions should we seek the answers to next?


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