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Power tools make things go really fast ... but, sometimes too fast, and fixing things afterwards can take far longer than the time you saved at the beginning.

I generally use hand tools (for drilling holes I like a SLOW cordless screwdriver) and save the circular saw, drill press, Dremel(s) (yes, I own several), where I absolutely cannot do without them.

This is not to say that I build slowly -- I get bored quickly and don't much like extended building projects. However, I've found that with a small selection of tools:

  • Razor saw
  • Tri-square
  • Permagrit sanding block
  • Jewler's saw
  • Compass
  • Tapered reamers
  • Padded sanding sticks
I can get things laid out, cut and sanded to shape quickly, easily, accurately, with very little mess, and with a minimal chance of screwing things up and having to re-do things along the way.

The rest of this article will explore these tools and how to use them in detail....