Explore the tools that were used before the electric router was invented. Visit www.blackburnb... for books and to sign up for lessons in Woodstock NY.
I used to think I knew something about woodwork. Then I came across you some months ago. I highly suspect you have forgotten more than I know. I appreciate you taking your precious time and sharing with us. I especially enjoyed this episode. Having made a few spokeshaves, I like what you have shown us today. Thank you very, very much.
I love my 71 and my 71 1/2, use them often for so many tasks. I agree with you sir, I can have my hand router out and be done with the task in way less time than setting up my router table. A must for delicate box work. Your videos are so interesting and fun, you bring something to TH-cam that was missing. Please keep em coming, I and it looks like a lot of others really enjoy your style. Thank you.
Every time a hand tool expert extols the virtues of a Stanley 71 an Angel gets its wings. Thank you Mr Blackburn, now I will need to wait another year to afford a new router.😢
I think it is nice that you give a brief history of the tool, how it got it's name, besides just how and what it is used for. This gives the tool more character than simply some old relic.
Thanks for the history lesson on routers. I have acquired many of the examples you mentioned and now I have a better understanding of what their intended purposes were. I look forward to your videos and I hope you produce many more.
All good stuff here! As a woodworker I’ve managed to avoid purchasing an electric router to save my ears, eyes and lungs. My modest hand tool collection has served me well and saved me the cost of electric router bit$$. Thank you Graham for this tool review.
Graham , every time I watch one of your wonderful videos I learn something new . Consequently , every time I also add another tool you use to my wish list . Blessings to you sir .
In Danish a router is called a grundhøvl ("base plane/r" could be a direct translation) and an electric router is called an overfræser ("over milling machine" is a very weird sounding but fairly direct and precise translation). A spoke shave is called a bugthøvl in Danish ("curve plane/r").
@@norwich8588 Yes, I think so too. I'm very interested in finding the old words in Danish for the old tools, so I always compare with the English words. I have much easier access to the English words for the traditional tools, than in my own language, which is a bit sad. So I'm doing some research and trying to "collect" them :^)
It's very likely that one of the reasons we no longer have a lot of furniture with a lot of curves is because of the complexity of making them with modern electric tools. You can get metal furniture that has a lot of the curves and swirly designs, but it's rare to find wooden furniture like that these days. Though you do see a little bit more since the introduction of CNC machines, but even those have limitations on what they can do.
I have really been enjoying your videos. I've learned a lot. Thank you so much for producing these videos, and for mentioning that you've written books, too. I bought a copy of Traditional Woodworking Handtools, An Illustrated Reference Guide for the Woodworker. I'll probably buy more of your books, as well.
I've been a carpenter/joiner in UK for well over 40 years and I was taught to use mainly hand tools back in the day (along with the occasional electric drill as well as a brace and bits). I now do some work for someone who owns a lot of rental properties and he wants me to fit fire strips in two of his doors. I said "Ok, I have a hand router plane" and he laughed and said no, he will buy an electric router for me to use. The time wasted to buy an electric router and correct bits - along with the cost and set-up time is silly. I could have done both doors in no time by hand. The same goes when something needs planing, I reach for a bench plane and I'm expected to use an electric plane, which I find far too aggressive - in a split second, a mistake with an electric plane can ruin a job, whereas in a split a mistake with a hand plane can leave it repairable. One customer even burst out laughing when I got out my smoothing plane and said "Are you joking? Nobody ever uses them anymore".
Regards to you Graham and the photographer. Your videos are very instructive and even thought i have some experience on amateur wood working there is so much to learn from you ... Furthermore, your english language is perfectly understandable (I am Frenchy). Thanks ...
I really love these videos! I've said it before and I'm probably going to say it again! So thank you very much! I'm looking forward to buying your books; they are in the budget but I just have to get a few tools out of the way first. It makes me giddy like a schoolgirl to think about this already fairly extensive library available from you and how much better it becomes video by video. This is an amazing resource!
These videos are a treasure. You mentioned spokeshaves being an example of the metal version being superior to the traditional one. I'd love to hear your take on pros and cons of wooden or metal bench planes. I'm on the continent where horned wooden planes are king. I also got myself some record planes from the UK (so easy to adjust!), but I'm warming up too wooden planes as I'm getting better at adjusting them. They're so light and handy, that you don't need a block plane. However, to replace a single No 4 plane, I like having two or three wooden planes: one set for a deeper cut, and another one or two for a fine cut or smoothing.
Really fantastic lesson, Graham! Thanks a bunch! 😃 I'm a poor guy from Brazil, but I'm definitely going to get one of those routers from China. Spokeshaves I already got some. Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Hi I have Stanley and record Router there like yours but where end of blade sits there’s opening and the base arches up and over other exactly the same with 3 blades a small flat edge a large flat edge and one like yours with point at end.thank you for showing us the right of using these great old tools.
Another top vid Graham, thanks again! I gave myself tinnitus about 10 years ago using an electric router without hearing protection (stupid I know), routing grooves for cupboard doors. Promptly returned it to my brother in law and started investing in my ever-growing hand tool collection. Totally agree having the right tool for the job (moulding planes, spokeshaves, ‘hand’ routers etc) seems to produce much nicer results, and though often exhausting, is also satisfying knowing that it was just you and some wood and metal that produced the end product, not some screaming electric thing! That said, I’ve sometimes wished I did have an electric router (like when I recently took it upon myself to make 30m of moulding for skirting boards, took me days and I was so tired each evening I could barely lift a beer to my lips), but the feeling usually passes :) What was the name of the glazing bar router you showed at the end by the way?
Great videos! I’ve seen them all and I have been watching from the very beginning. I haven’t left a comment yet because there are so many that I’m sure you don’t get to read every single one. Over all of your videos I appreciate your knowledge and the information that you bring to those in need of this style of traditional woodworking. If I were to have one creative critique of something that we’ve recognized since the beginning it would be, maybe try to be less condescending to those who don’t completely subscribe to your way of thinking and style of woodworking. There is more than one way to skin our woodworking cat. Try not to stereotype the viewers by saying things like “Your electric router…” has “…stolen the name of the original tool.” 19:34, 12:43, 1:07, 0:37 It may feel as if you’re saying that we’ve stolen something. Try not to be prejudiced against the viewer because it may not help to bring those who are looking for different ways of working wood, to the traditional ways. Just try not to assume that we all are one of those “other people” that have electric routers “…or what people now call ‘routers’” 19:36 because that puts you in a different and opposing category, against the viewer, rather than working with us. By being cognizant of what may be seen as simple semantics, it will hopefully keep viewers returning, who would otherwise be turned off by what some have called a “Cavalier style of Woodcraft.” Everyone has their own style, as you well know, and as we’ve seen in your 4th episode with the cool Fedora hat and even in your Navy blue Marc Adams School of Woodworking apron. 😉 Also, please tell whoever is recording you, that they’re doing a great job. Ever since the video quality changed in Episode #3 or the addition of the Lav mic in #8, we can definitely tell that you guys put a lot of thought, effort, passion, money and energy into this endeavor. Not only that, we definitely recognize how much you both put into theme development, shot composition, scene framing, stage setting, lighting/shadowing, perspective and even run throughs of the material before recording. It’s also impressive that you guys can get a whole episode done in a 1-shot! But, if they (your videographer/editor/director/producer) have cut or edited an episode recently, it was very difficult to tell, that takes skill and talent! Hopefully it’s someone like your son or grandson because it would’ve been a dream come true to record something like this with my grandfather’s skills for future generations to come. Keep up the good work!! 😊👏🏼👍🏼
Jake, Thanks for your comments. With over 11,000 subscribers it's hard not to offend someone, even unintentionally. What I am demonstrating is just one part of a varied career and I seem to have hit a niche that a lot of people appreciate so I am trying to stay on theme. However, I have at different times had other shops with every machine known to man. In this series I'm just trying to add a little balance to our increasingly hands-off electronic world. Of course, if I had a hundred chairs to build I'm not going to live long enough to do everything by hand, Nevertheless I'd hate for a lot of the old stuff to become forgotten. BTW I do stand by the fact that the modern electric router has usurped the term 'router', whereby hand routers now have to be additionally described. Also BTW it's just me and my camerman trying to do the best we can. It would be great if I had more help but it's a steep learning curve to shoot, edit, upload, and market all on your own. Fun though! Stay well, and thanks again for your comments.
Graham, thank you for these videos, I truly enjoy them. I recently received a Stanley 68 Rabbet/Rebate Spokeshave. Do you have any knowledge or experience with this tool? I’m thinking carriage makers may have used them, but probably could work in curves, too?
Another interesting video but a couple of questions firstly if it's not rude of me to ask, were are you in the world and have you always lived there,as I cannot place your accent. I'm about to build myself a workshop and was wondering what the approximate size of yours, many thanks.
My present video shop is in Woodstock NY in the Catskills, and is not terribly big - as wide as you can see and maybe a little over twenty feet long. Having been born in England I have slightly acquired a little American accent.
@@gjbmunc LOL I was kidding. That is a lot of hand planes! I just dug out a wooden plow plane with 5 chisels for it. After seeing how useful this is, I am cleaning it up. One of the wooden screws has the end broke off so this limits adjustment 😞
Awaiting for a Quick sentence about thé différence between a granny tooth and a router 😀 i am not english but i Would bé interested to know thé différence 😅
@@keithswoodshop1193 As I understand it, an old wooden hand router plane is basically just a chisel at an angle (45 degrees or so), bevel down. On the Stanley 71 router plane, the bevel is up and the back of the blade is parallel to the sole. Then the rest of the iron is bent 90 degrees to fit the depth adjuster.
![[UNCUT] "เสรีพิศุทธ์" แฉยับ! งัดหลักฐานใหม่ชั้น 14 ได้นอนคุกสมใจแน่!! I คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ I 2 ก.ย.67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/O1SSg4p9Izs/mqdefault.jpg)
I used to think I knew something about woodwork. Then I came across you some months ago. I highly suspect you have forgotten more than I know. I appreciate you taking your precious time and sharing with us. I especially enjoyed this episode. Having made a few spokeshaves, I like what you have shown us today. Thank you very, very much.
You're very welcome!
That last one with a hole drilled from the side to form both an edge and two nickers was really clever!
Always fun to explore!
I am currently attempting to make my own "hand" router. Cross your fingers!
Great luck, dude! 😊
Go for it!
Check out Paul Seller’s videos. Good luck, just use tough timber.
I love my 71 and my 71 1/2, use them often for so many tasks. I agree with you sir, I can have my hand router out and be done with the task in way less time than setting up my router table. A must for delicate box work. Your videos are so interesting and fun, you bring something to TH-cam that was missing. Please keep em coming, I and it looks like a lot of others really enjoy your style. Thank you.
Thank you; appreciate it.
Every time a hand tool expert extols the virtues of a Stanley 71 an Angel gets its wings. Thank you Mr Blackburn, now I will need to wait another year to afford a new router.😢
Great!
I love old the school tool and knowledge
Thanks!
I think it is nice that you give a brief history of the tool, how it got it's name, besides just how and what it is used for. This gives the tool more character than simply some old relic.
Thanks!
Hilarious digs at those darn electronic rooters
Still useful sometimes.
Every episode has at least one unique gem - good work, very educational.
Thank you so much!
🎄🌲🍀🐾🦉A lot of great information was shared here🦉🐾🍀🌲🎄.
Happy holidays!
Thanks for the history lesson on routers. I have acquired many of the examples you mentioned and now I have a better understanding of what their intended purposes were. I look forward to your videos and I hope you produce many more.
Glad it was helpful!
All good stuff here! As a woodworker I’ve managed to avoid purchasing an electric router to save my ears, eyes and lungs. My modest hand tool collection has served me well and saved me the cost of electric router bit$$. Thank you Graham for this tool review.
You're very welcome!
Graham , every time I watch one of your wonderful videos I learn something new . Consequently , every time I also add another tool you use to my wish list . Blessings to you sir .
Thank you!
I’d love to see making a round window with glazing bars made with the router at 16:00
Good idea. Will ty to get to it later.
My hand router is my favorite tool to use by far, it's very satisfying.
It really is!
Excellent video. Love the history you add as well
Thank you very much!
Fascinating! Love learning about these traditional hand tools as I have recently started doing hand tool woodworking.
Glad you enjoyed it!
In Danish a router is called a grundhøvl ("base plane/r" could be a direct translation) and an electric router is called an overfræser ("over milling machine" is a very weird sounding but fairly direct and precise translation).
A spoke shave is called a bugthøvl in Danish ("curve plane/r").
Thanks, always interesting to hear other language terms!
@@norwich8588 Yes, I think so too. I'm very interested in finding the old words in Danish for the old tools, so I always compare with the English words. I have much easier access to the English words for the traditional tools, than in my own language, which is a bit sad. So I'm doing some research and trying to "collect" them :^)
@@thomashverring9484 Keep it up Thomas, it's valuable and it's fun!
@@norwich8588 Thanks, I will :^)
Cool!
I made my own router plane out of oak it has a bit more character than even the metal ones and works just as well.
Great!
It's very likely that one of the reasons we no longer have a lot of furniture with a lot of curves is because of the complexity of making them with modern electric tools. You can get metal furniture that has a lot of the curves and swirly designs, but it's rare to find wooden furniture like that these days. Though you do see a little bit more since the introduction of CNC machines, but even those have limitations on what they can do.
Very true!
I have really been enjoying your videos. I've learned a lot. Thank you so much for producing these videos, and for mentioning that you've written books, too. I bought a copy of Traditional Woodworking Handtools, An Illustrated Reference Guide for the Woodworker. I'll probably buy more of your books, as well.
Thanks!
BTW I'll soon be offering signed copies of my books on the TH-cam site at a discount.
Thank's for this one, I'm lucky to have many of the tools you describe.
Glad you like them!
I'm looking forward to the projects you've mentioned. I hope you will keep any mistakes that you make in the video, so we can learn how to fix things.
You and me both!
I've been a carpenter/joiner in UK for well over 40 years and I was taught to use mainly hand tools back in the day (along with the occasional electric drill as well as a brace and bits). I now do some work for someone who owns a lot of rental properties and he wants me to fit fire strips in two of his doors. I said "Ok, I have a hand router plane" and he laughed and said no, he will buy an electric router for me to use. The time wasted to buy an electric router and correct bits - along with the cost and set-up time is silly. I could have done both doors in no time by hand. The same goes when something needs planing, I reach for a bench plane and I'm expected to use an electric plane, which I find far too aggressive - in a split second, a mistake with an electric plane can ruin a job, whereas in a split a mistake with a hand plane can leave it repairable. One customer even burst out laughing when I got out my smoothing plane and said "Are you joking? Nobody ever uses them anymore".
I understand.
Regards to you Graham and the photographer. Your videos are very instructive and even thought i have some experience on amateur wood working there is so much to learn from you ... Furthermore, your english language is perfectly understandable (I am Frenchy). Thanks ...
Very pleased to hear it. Merci!
I really love these videos! I've said it before and I'm probably going to say it again! So thank you very much! I'm looking forward to buying your books; they are in the budget but I just have to get a few tools out of the way first.
It makes me giddy like a schoolgirl to think about this already fairly extensive library available from you and how much better it becomes video by video. This is an amazing resource!
I'm so glad!
Thank you! RWB ❤🎉
Any time!
Thank You Graham... Always a pleasure...(now I need to "router" up some coffee & breakfast!!!... )...until next time... TM
Sounds great!
Hi Graham, great video.
I am looking forward to seeing these tools in action...
Steven
Thanks.
These videos are a treasure.
You mentioned spokeshaves being an example of the metal version being superior to the traditional one. I'd love to hear your take on pros and cons of wooden or metal bench planes.
I'm on the continent where horned wooden planes are king. I also got myself some record planes from the UK (so easy to adjust!), but I'm warming up too wooden planes as I'm getting better at adjusting them. They're so light and handy, that you don't need a block plane. However, to replace a single No 4 plane, I like having two or three wooden planes: one set for a deeper cut, and another one or two for a fine cut or smoothing.
Some of the earlier episodes mention wooden versus metal planes,
Nice. Learned something
Thanks!
Really fantastic lesson, Graham! Thanks a bunch! 😃
I'm a poor guy from Brazil, but I'm definitely going to get one of those routers from China. Spokeshaves I already got some.
Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Thank you. You stay safe too.
You can make your own basic “ ROOTER” as in the 1st part of the video.! Allen key’s/ Hex wrenches make good blades with a bit of work…. 😁💪🏻
Hi I have Stanley and record Router there like yours but where end of blade sits there’s opening and the base arches up and over other exactly the same with 3 blades a small flat edge a large flat edge and one like yours with point at end.thank you for showing us the right of using these great old tools.
You're welcome.
Loving these videos. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks!
I appreciate this x
So glad!
Another top vid Graham, thanks again!
I gave myself tinnitus about 10 years ago using an electric router without hearing protection (stupid I know), routing grooves for cupboard doors. Promptly returned it to my brother in law and started investing in my ever-growing hand tool collection.
Totally agree having the right tool for the job (moulding planes, spokeshaves, ‘hand’ routers etc) seems to produce much nicer results, and though often exhausting, is also satisfying knowing that it was just you and some wood and metal that produced the end product, not some screaming electric thing!
That said, I’ve sometimes wished I did have an electric router (like when I recently took it upon myself to make 30m of moulding for skirting boards, took me days and I was so tired each evening I could barely lift a beer to my lips), but the feeling usually passes :)
What was the name of the glazing bar router you showed at the end by the way?
I believe it is a tool made by Preston of Engla, but check out the Lie-Nielsen catalog.
thank you
You're welcome.
Thanks. Always learn something.
Glad to hear it!
Today I saw routers that I did not know existed.
Great!
root route root route.
thank you sir
1978.
You're welcome.
Great videos! I’ve seen them all and I have been watching from the very beginning. I haven’t left a comment yet because there are so many that I’m sure you don’t get to read every single one. Over all of your videos I appreciate your knowledge and the information that you bring to those in need of this style of traditional woodworking. If I were to have one creative critique of something that we’ve recognized since the beginning it would be, maybe try to be less condescending to those who don’t completely subscribe to your way of thinking and style of woodworking. There is more than one way to skin our woodworking cat. Try not to stereotype the viewers by saying things like “Your electric router…” has “…stolen the name of the original tool.” 19:34, 12:43, 1:07, 0:37
It may feel as if you’re saying that we’ve stolen something. Try not to be prejudiced against the viewer because it may not help to bring those who are looking for different ways of working wood, to the traditional ways. Just try not to assume that we all are one of those “other people” that have electric routers “…or what people now call ‘routers’” 19:36 because that puts you in a different and opposing category, against the viewer, rather than working with us. By being cognizant of what may be seen as simple semantics, it will hopefully keep viewers returning, who would otherwise be turned off by what some have called a “Cavalier style of Woodcraft.”
Everyone has their own style, as you well know, and as we’ve seen in your 4th episode with the cool Fedora hat and even in your Navy blue Marc Adams School of Woodworking apron.
😉
Also, please tell whoever is recording you, that they’re doing a great job. Ever since the video quality changed in Episode #3 or the addition of the Lav mic in #8, we can definitely tell that you guys put a lot of thought, effort, passion, money and energy into this endeavor. Not only that, we definitely recognize how much you both put into theme development, shot composition, scene framing, stage setting, lighting/shadowing, perspective and even run throughs of the material before recording. It’s also impressive that you guys can get a whole episode done in a 1-shot! But, if they (your videographer/editor/director/producer) have cut or edited an episode recently, it was very difficult to tell, that takes skill and talent! Hopefully it’s someone like your son or grandson because it would’ve been a dream come true to record something like this with my grandfather’s skills for future generations to come.
Keep up the good work!!
😊👏🏼👍🏼
Jake, Thanks for your comments. With over 11,000 subscribers it's hard not to offend someone, even unintentionally. What I am demonstrating is just one part of a varied career and I seem to have hit a niche that a lot of people appreciate so I am trying to stay on theme. However, I have at different times had other shops with every machine known to man. In this series I'm just trying to add a little balance to our increasingly hands-off electronic world. Of course, if I had a hundred chairs to build I'm not going to live long enough to do everything by hand, Nevertheless I'd hate for a lot of the old stuff to become forgotten.
BTW I do stand by the fact that the modern electric router has usurped the term 'router', whereby hand routers now have to be additionally described.
Also BTW it's just me and my camerman trying to do the best we can. It would be great if I had more help but it's a steep learning curve to shoot, edit, upload, and market all on your own. Fun though!
Stay well, and thanks again for your comments.
That was very interesting!
Glad you enjoyed it
🎉
Thanks!
Graham, thank you for these videos, I truly enjoy them. I recently received a Stanley 68 Rabbet/Rebate Spokeshave. Do you have any knowledge or experience with this tool? I’m thinking carriage makers may have used them, but probably could work in curves, too?
Yes indeed. Works fine on curves.
Another interesting video but a couple of questions firstly if it's not rude of me to ask, were are you in the world and have you always lived there,as I cannot place your accent. I'm about to build myself a workshop and was wondering what the approximate size of yours, many thanks.
My present video shop is in Woodstock NY in the Catskills, and is not terribly big - as wide as you can see and maybe a little over twenty feet long. Having been born in England I have slightly acquired a little American accent.
@@gjbmunc I thought that about the accent,west country? Thanks for the info
With these routers I was interested in finding one that does an ogee cut? Is there such a one?
Quite possibly. The Lie-Nielsen one with blanks might do the job.
Got a link for that modern tool you show around 19:00?
I think you may be referring to something made by Lie-Nielsen - they have a website.
How do you sharpen any of those blades that are profiled
First flatten the back then trace the shape of the sole onto the iron and use a file. Episode coming soon!
@@gjbmunc Thanks!
Are those "glazing bars," muntins or mullions?
Vertical members may be either, The usage has changed over the years,
You wouldn't know anyone wanting to buy some old hand planes would you? ;-) lol
Lots of people looking on ebay.
@@gjbmunc LOL I was kidding. That is a lot of hand planes! I just dug out a wooden plow plane with 5 chisels for it. After seeing how useful this is, I am cleaning it up. One of the wooden screws has the end broke off so this limits adjustment 😞
Awaiting for a Quick sentence about thé différence between a granny tooth and a router 😀 i am not english but i Would bé interested to know thé différence 😅
The 'granny' tooth was the original router. The main difference is that it was not electrified!
@@gjbmunc ok because i've almost never read "granny tooth" for thé manual router but mostly "router".
I thought the granny tooth had a straight blade, and the router plane has a 90° angle
@@keithswoodshop1193 As I understand it, an old wooden hand router plane is basically just a chisel at an angle (45 degrees or so), bevel down. On the Stanley 71 router plane, the bevel is up and the back of the blade is parallel to the sole. Then the rest of the iron is bent 90 degrees to fit the depth adjuster.
What can the hand router do that cannot be done with an electric router tough?
one of the best advantages is that it can work in two planes simultaneously - up and down and side to side!
@@gjbmunc You mean when using it freehand? Because electric routers can do that too?
What's wrong with calling it by its correct name a( hags tooth plane) all this woke stuff is soon ridiculous 🙄
Actually only ever heard it refered to as 'an old woman's tooth'. But I'm happy to use 'hag' if you insist!
I have made a wooden router and I also own an electric one.
I've used the electric one on one project ;)
Good for you.