Cabinetry, handtools, and time...

There are several threads now that relate to time... Having just almost completed the Bath Cabinet, I kept a mental note of relative time on machines and time with hand tools. 

On this highly detailed cabinet the cabinet saw work probably only represented 5% of the time spent.  There were tricky cuts; rabbetts and T and G joints.

The work on my jointer/ planer/ mortiser was substantial probably 15 to 20% and most of that was on the mortiser.  My bandsaws were working a lot too... re-sawing drawer sides... making tenon stock and other tasks - 5%

Trim router and Bosch Colt... Hinges and some edges 2%.  Sanders... including hand and drum sander... the drum sander was a real time saver... I could have worked without it... would have taken twice as long! - 5%

You probably saw plenty of curly shavings on the floor.  Planes and scrapers; LV shoulder plane, ECE Primus... LN 102... LN 601/2... LV BU smoother... Clifton #4... LV Jack probably a solid 5%. 

Handsaws on dovetails and other stuff... a good 10%.

Chisels and I had my LN's and a set of Japanese dovetail chisels... a fine pair of old Japanese paring chisels and some older socket chisels... 10%.

Marking and measuring various squares...marking and bevel gauges...Knives....a good 10%.

Rasps, faring boards and fids... Shaping the drawers a good 5%.

Knives and scrapers on detail work... 5 %.

Finishing was about 5% using wax ...steel wool and the Rotex to buff out.

You can see that machinery plays a lesser roll on this type of work...I saved a lot of time using it, and the machines greatly improved the quality of work...

The handtools are all important and really make the piece.  I greatly enjoy the all engulfing mental involvement that hand tools and the work create...

... lunch ...drinks and even rest room breaks become secondary.

Summary

Mark S.