Hand tools or power tools when learning woodworking?

Hi,

I am new at making furniture and the books ask that we learn the basic skills by hand but I am finding hand tools to be - on the one hand pure and true to the origins of the craft - but on the other hand - very hard to learn to use comfortable - I am ruining a lot of nice stock and its neatly cut edges and surfaces with my tools - is it worth persisting or is woodwork the realm of power tools now?

Thanks

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Taps and dies

Hi, when I was learning woodworking years ago, I attended an evening adult woodworking class at the local high school.  Everything I learned there involved power tools.  So as I started collecting tools over the years they were all power, and once my shop was pretty near complete I quit the classes.  I know my Grandpa did  alot with hand tools but me, I don't have the patience. For what ever it's worth I like the power tools, and there are so many out there that do pretty much everything, my motto is you can never have enough tools.

I would suggest both hand and power. There are somethings that a power tool cannot do detail wise that hand tool can do with better control but I also love power tools because they do cut down on the time it takes to do certain things.

Hi Danis, I agree that a combination of both hand and power tools is a good choice. Some small stuff need to be handled by handtools that can reach small areas that require delicate workmanship like perhaps wood carvings. For other bulky stuff like large furniture such as cabinetry or dining tables, power tools would come in handy. If you think you are ruining a lot of nice stock while on handtools, then try working on the same nice stock using power tools and see if you are able to achieve the results that you desire. If yes, then proceed with power tools. The objective is to use the tools that are within your comfort zone to produce great results.