---

The hand brace, or bit and brace

Perhaps the hand brace - an old, quaint, niche tool - seems an odd choice to feature as the first in a series of favorite tool reviews. But it is truly a favorite. It outperforms the hottest new rechargeable drills in driving heavy screws. It rapidly drives heavy lag bolts. Hand brace and auger bits reliably drill deep holes, faster than a Forstner or saw-tooth bit. Above all, it's fun to use.   More
 

---

Frank Klausz's three-minute dovetails using a bow saw

In this video, master cabinetmaker Frank Klausz cuts matching dovetails, by hand, in three minutes. He uses nothing but a bow saw and a pencil. And he's not rushing. Watch it.   More
 

---

 

---

Hand-crafted bow saw

The bow saw or frame saw is the historical version of a band saw. It excels at cutting curves; its long strokes cut faster and more evenly than a coping saw. This one, made of ash, is as fun to use as it was to build. It's also cheaper, quieter, takes far less space, and safer than a band saw.   More