So here are my opinions on the power tool and hand tool note. I am completely power tool. I am too impatient and not that detail oriented to use hand tools. I put my kids crib together with a drill even though the box said no tools needed. That being said I still expect people to know how to use some hand tools. It scares me that some people do not know how to use a hammer. There really is no replacement for a hammer. A screw driver is another important hand tool to use. I know all the bits and more can be put on a cordless drill but sometimes that is too much power. I will not use the cordless drill on changing switch plates and electrical work. Being able to use a hand saw is a must. Not that it can not be done by a power tool but just for the feel of it. That is the extent of my hand tool knowledge.
I do own other hand tools. I have my Grandfather's plane set and he has several planes. None of them in great condition, but I could not tell you how to use them or how to maintain them. I have a set of chisels. I use these to mainly scrap of glue. I have several hand saws. I can use them and do use them for rough cutting. I do not know how to sharpen them and they do need a good sharpening.
The other day I was talking to a coworker about wood working joints. He has been doing butt joints and wanted to do something with a little more strength and looks better. He wanted to know the investment and equipment needed. I went right into biscuit joints, lap and dado joints and dove tails. Each of these methods has a machine associated with them in my mind and all were out of what he wanted to spend. Then he asked if there was a hand tool or something like that. I told him there was but I know nothing about hand tools. It is more practice and time that I am willing to put in. I have a deep respect to those individuals who make wood projects from hand tools. They truly are artists in their own right.
