Except for maybe the quick and dirty projects that we all sometimes just throw together in an afternoon, most every project presents its own unique challenges.  My current project, the hand tool cabinet, has relatively simple joinery, largely rabbets and dadoes, with some hand cut dovetails for the drawers.  The complexity in this case isn’t the joinery, the complexity comes from the number of individual pieces in the cabinet.  Based on the sketch-up drawing, there 49 pieces!  If I took the entire cut list and started planing down boards and cutting individual pieces to size, I would have created a confusing mess. Plus I would have parts laying around for weeks, even months, before I would be ready for them.  There is a good chance the piece has moved due to humidity changes, or the piece may no longer be appropriate due to mid-stream design changes.

Instead, I try to componentize my projects.  With the hand tool cabinet, this was very easily done.  For example, I started out with the main box.  I planed down only the wood I needed for that component.  From there, I either work on one joint (if a complex joint) or one joint type.  For example, the main box is put together using rabbets.  So, I start out concentrating on the main rabbets, not worrying about the dados for the shelf or for the back.  If I start thinking too far down the road of the project, it makes concentrating on the task at hand that much more difficult.  Once I get all my rabbets cut, I move on to the next joint.

For more complex joinery, I concentrate on one joint, typically two pieces of wood, at a time.  This is especially important when fitting more complex joints like dovetails, or even hand cut mortise and tenons.  As I get each joint fit, I expand out to the next one, and proceed until all the joints are fitted and square.  Revisiting joints as necessary.

I had someone comment once that my chisel rack would be to far above their skill level to attempt.  Even though my chisel rack was my first real foray into a more “fine” woodworking using real joinery and no mechanical fasteners.  My response back was to them that was simply not true.  As I had accomplished this project, and I still consider myself a beginner!  While there are definitely techniques out there that are best left to the master craftsman, there are many complex projects that a beginner woodworker can undertake, just by taking it one piece at a time.

The heated debate from a few weeks ago seems to have settled down, but the discussion continues, I think for the good.  I have been reading through the various blog posts and tweets on this subject, and have found it thought provoking.

One of the blogs I read described how there is a tendency to use power tools to mass produce projects, thus reducing their uniqueness and the artistic value is lost.  (Noting that dollar value is lost as well)  It isn’t that big of a stretch to realize that we as woodworkers can and do get trapped in that same mindset when working our own projects, thus losing the “woodcraft” or artistic value within our projects.  To be honest, I don’t think I can disagree with this.  Why?  Sometimes we as woodworkers focus on getting to the next step of the project as quick as possible rather then putting our heart and soul into the project as a whole.  I think part of what makes a project woodcraft is allowing the flow of the project to come together organically rather than systematically.

The big question is, does this change my view point in my last post on this subject?  I did have to think about this for awhile, but I do still feel the same way.  I believe that this organic flow can be achieved using power tools, hand tools, or a combination of both.

Where I also did some thinking is what it takes to achieve woodcraft.  Don’t get me wrong, organic flow of the project is a significant part of it, but its not everything.   Its also taking the medium we are presented with, understanding its properties, imperfections and other qualities that makes it unique, then using the mind’s eye to work it into an art piece.

Admittedly, I do believe using hand tools does make it easier to bring us closer to the work piece leading to a better understanding the wood’s properties.  For me, when I started using hand tools, I did start looking at my projects in a different light, and in fact I feel that using hand tools has made me a better woodworker in general.

So how is all this possible using power tools.  The obvious answer is start out with power tools for doing the tough work, the finish up using hand tools.  That is one way, but I don’t think that is the only way.  I think as long as a woodworker stays out of the batching out mass produced parts mindset it is very feasible to complete an artistic project.  Ultimately, I think it goes back to allowing the project to flow organically as well as using the minds eye to determine what tool is used.