"Funny thing is, I've actually rediscovered the satisfaction of hammering nails by hand...takes me back to helping my dad build our old treehouse."
Totally get that—there's something about manual tools that brings a different rhythm to the work. Ever tried going fully old-school with woodworking too, like using hand saws or chisels instead of power saws?
I can relate to that feeling of nostalgia—there's a certain charm in slowing down and doing things manually. I've experimented a bit with chisels and hand planes myself, especially when working on detailed moldings or custom joinery. It definitely takes patience, but the precision and control you get is unmatched. Plus, there's something uniquely satisfying about seeing those fine shavings curl up as you go...makes the extra effort worthwhile. Have you tried any specific hand tools that stood out to you?
"Plus, there's something uniquely satisfying about seeing those fine shavings curl up as you go...makes the extra effort worthwhile."
Couldn't agree more with this. There's a certain mindfulness that comes with using hand tools—it's almost therapeutic. I've found that a good quality spokeshave really stands out for me, especially when shaping curved surfaces or refining edges. It takes some getting used to, but once you find your rhythm, the control and finish you achieve are impressive. Definitely worth the learning curve.
Totally get the appeal of hand tools—there's something calming about slowing down and really feeling the wood respond to your efforts. But honestly, when it comes to framing or bigger projects, I'm grabbing the nail gun every time. Hammering nails all day can get old fast, especially if you're working solo. I save the mindfulness for finishing touches or smaller details...like you said, shaping curves or edges. That's when hand tools really shine for me.
I see your point, but I've actually found myself going back to the hammer more often lately, even for framing. Sure, nail guns are faster, no arguing that...but there's something about manually driving nails that gives me better control and accuracy. With a hammer, I can feel exactly how tight each joint is getting, and I catch alignment issues quicker. Maybe it's just me being picky, but I've had fewer callbacks to fix squeaky floors or loose studs since switching back.
Also, let's not forget setup time—compressors, hoses, jams...those little delays add up. If I'm doing a small addition or renovation solo, sometimes the simplicity of grabbing my hammer and pouch outweighs the speed advantage of a nail gun. Don't get me wrong—I still use power tools plenty—but there's definitely a case for keeping the hammer close by on bigger projects too.
