How pure?

[Dutchman58]

How much of a "purist" are you when it comes to making your own gear?

Do you use only traditional tools and methods, with nothing "modern" ever coming into contact with your project?

Or, do you use whatever modern power tools happen to be convenient?

Or, are you somewhere in bewteen these two extremes?

I just bought a brace and bit to use instead of my electric drill just because I figured that I might have a little better control of my process with it. But personally, I have no qualms about using power tools to make my traditional equipment.

I suppose this is a philosophical question.

What about some of the rest of you?

 

[bwhoffman]

I am between the 2 extremes!
have figured out how to cover up some new "technology" with methods that appear "old timey".
Mostly it becomes a time issue for me and NOT knowing the old ways.

Good question!

 

[wildeagle]

I try to use traditional tools as much as possible, but there are times I commit blasphemy, It seems to me that power tools tend to speed things up and thats where I get into trouble, I like to take my time and enjoy the experience. That being said there are craftsmen on the forum that feed the family, pay the bills, ect. from their craft and I don't have a problem with anybody using power tools. After all their time is money and the more efficient they are is better for all involved. Just my two cents :surrender:

 

[Claude Mathis]

I see two different goals here....

If you are reenacting a "craftsman", then of course you should use the tools of the day.

If, on the other hand, you are reenacting a hunter/scout, what matters is the final product. I see nothing wrong with drilling the hole in my horn with an electric drill.

 

[Bubba45]

I use what ever I can lay my hands on to try and get the look and feel desired.

 

[omarick1948]

I believe in "WHAT EVER TRIPS YOUR TRIGGER"!

I also believe that it is more important for an item to look and have the feel of the period, than how it is made behind closed doors.

After all, we usually have to get to a PC event in our modern gas burning mules and by using this computer alone, leaves an arguement for anyone posting on this thread, as only being PC 100%! :hmm:

 

[Stevenjohnson9851]

If gas keeps going up your mode of transportation may have to become PC.

 

[deanscamaro]

I am of the belief that the finished product is the PC (period correct) goal that should be the benchmark. If you want to be PC with the methodology of creating the finished product, that is your personal choice. But the PC finished product is the goal. Take the example of threads per square inch. If you want to weave your own cloth, by all means do it. But if you want to reach that goal by using a weaving company's cloth that is correct threads per square inch, done on a machine, you are meeting the target and that is not a problem. Then, the organization that is running the event can set their limits around the goal (threads per inch is BS or it is a benchmark). They then put a limit on how things should be judged, in my mind, and keep it away from making sure the sheep that provided the wool were not fed by modern methods. The organization, by setting the judging limits around the PC target (+ or -), avoids the non-limit of infinity that results from being TOTALLY PC, no matter what. :bull: :bull: :youcrazy: :youcrazy:

 

[sidelock]

Sold my horses last year. ----- Been thinkin I may wantem back. Only 6 mi to town, and hay is cheaper than gas now. :hmm:

 

[Goldhunter]

Somewhere in between, depending on my mood.

It also depends on if I've screwed up or not and if I can fix it with modern methods! :surrender:

 

[Dutchman58]

It also depends on if I've screwed up or not and if I can fix it with modern methods! :surrender:

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

That'd be me, too, I guess.

Hard to fix an antler tip you've just sent the bit through the side of. About all that's left is to cut it down and make a smaller item.

I do love my Dremel.

 

[Len Graves]

In reply to dutchman 58
When I am working on some period thing I am inclined to think about how the "old time craftsman" did it. We now live at a much faster rate, and I tend to use tools which will make the job faster. Most of the finer finishing methods ( carving, engraving, sewing leather Etc.) I find the old tools work the best to give a hand made appearance I always say "If I want to make mistakes quickly I use my dremel". Len

 

[renovato]

I think I'm too anachronistic to use 100% traditional tools and methods. Too many years in the SCA when I was younger I guess. Although, I have been learning to have a lot more appreciation for doing some of the work by hand.

So far, I have only made a few of my items though. As soon as I get my new workspace sorted out, I'm going to get deeper in bag making and take up horn making. I used to make knives years back, but used modern equipment to make them, then hammered them a little to make them "look" hand forged. I used to do leather work when I was a kid, so I'm probably going to get back into that too.

Ask me again in a year! :rotf:

 

[Swampman]

I try to use all traditional materials & construction methods. I use modern tools if they give me the best looking final result.

 

[Dphar]

I make guns. I have a mill and a lathe and some other useful stuff. But shaping aside from some bandsawing is usually all hand work.
Making your own stuff the hard way is one thing. But people will not pay for hand made stuff in most cases. I do sew all my pouches and stuff by hand though. Shirts and stuff I would run through a machine.

Dan

 

[ricklandes]

I own a shop with about 2 million dollars in high end metal working equipment and get "harrassed" all the time by the crew with catcalls of "you know we have power tools that will do that..."

I build as a relaxation hobby. I am in no hurry and enjoy the mental solitude of filing a part or sanding out a piece. I guess that is why my first Lancaster took 3 winters to complete

I think that the use of any tool is fine. I just boils down to what you as the builder are wanting to get from the building experience...to the finished product or an enjoyment of the journey. I actually felt a mix of happy to see the finished rifle and a bit of sadness as it was finished. I spent a good deal of time working and thinking about the project. I was a fun trip and I am going to go again if you will accept the metaphor!

 

[bnail]

I see two different goals here....

If you are reenacting a "craftsman", then of course you should use the tools of the day.

If, on the other hand, you are reenacting a hunter/scout, what matters is the final product. I see nothing wrong with drilling the hole in my horn with an electric drill.

I use modern tools, and I design my projects on my computer first too. As Claude said, if the final result is a period piece, then I'm fine with that. However. . . there's no feeling better for me than using or carrying those few pieces that I know were made with traditional
tools and techniques.

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I've learned alot over the years about making 'stuff', and I've moved away from the buckskinner-ism type goods and now I try to make things that are more correct in style and workmanship. I now use only linen thread and hand sew everything. I also put more research into what I'm making instead of making something that just looks nice.
To make something completely period correct would be difficult, as you could only sew with hand forged needles in candle light instead on under florescent lights.
Would it ruin the period project if an airplane flew over while you were sewing?
So to answer the original question .... although it's impossible to make anything period correct unless you tanned the hide yourself, used forged needles and hand wrought linen thread, etc. I Do lean alot more toward to making things that are correct as possible using the modern materials that are available, even though they are a modern made awl and needles and thread.
Ohio Rusty >

 

[Robert Egler]

My rule is only period "appropriate" materials, materials that would have existed at the time, leather, wood, iron, steel, copper, brass, etc. No plastics, stainless steel, nylon or stuff like that. Not necessarily period correct materials (materials that are known to have been used to make whatever I'm making)

My one exception is I use simulated sinew most of the time. I do occasionally use real sinew, but I don't have a very large supply, so it gets used sparingly.

I also go for more-or-less period “appropriate” appearance, not necessarily period correct appearance.

But then pretty much no one ever sees my stuff except me, so there are never any complaints! :grin:

 

[peashooterJoe]

It is all about learning curve and where you are on it(sometimes I don't register on it.). I enjoy learning new skills and adapt as necessary for the final product. A mixture of old and new ways for me, they didn't invent that dremel for nothing. :wink: