Frank Fusco
Member
- Messages
- 12,782
- Location
- Mountain Home, Arkansas
Seeing some of the great work y'all turn out really impresses me. Since joining FW, I have learned that there are many fine tools out there I didn't even know existed. But, a puzzling question constantly nags at me. Namely, is it possible to build nice items without top-end tools? Actually, it is rhetorical as I know it is, but don't know how. My father was a professional woodworker. (BTW, he taught me nothing) He made some beautiful things that went into homes of very wealthy folks in the Chicago area. I do recall that his shop had no tools that I would compare with today's top end table saws, CMSs, etc. He had a Delta radial arm saw that was probably his #1 'go to' tool. His table saw was simple. No extensions, slides or fancy fence. But his miters and joints fit well. He did use a miter trimmer. Was that the secret? And, are they popular today? I know they are still sold. Is using one of these a panacea for those who don't have (or can't afford) high-end saws?