Category: The Anarchist’s Tool Chest

Customers are starting to receive our new DVD “Inside the Anarchist’s Tool Chest” and here are some answers to some common questions.

1. Will this DVD be available through other retailers? Yes. We are working on that right now. Lie-Nielsen has agreed to carry it and we are shipping them a box today.

2. Will the DVD work on a regular TV, computer or both? It will work on both.

3. How do I access the “extras” on the DVD?

If you have a Mac, it’s just a couple steps. Double-click the DVD’s icon on your desktop. Double-click the folder named “Inside the Anarchist’s Tool Chest.” The files are in there.

If you have a Windows machine, here are the steps:

1. Quit your media player and navigate to your computer’s “Start” menu.

2. Click “Computer.” (Sometimes it says “My Computer.”)

3. You should see the DVD icon. Right-click on the DVD’s icon and choose “Open in a New Window.”

4. The new Window will show you the computer files on the DVD. Double-click on the folder named “Inside the Anarchist’s Tool Chest.” The files are in there.

What are the data files on the DVD?

A SketchUp drawing of the chest that you can study or alter to suit your set of tools. And an 11-page document that outlines the core set of tools in the chest, all of their brand names and model numbers. Plus hotlinks to where you can order these tools.

I hope this answers help. If you experience additional problems, leave us a comment and we’ll give you a hand.

— Christopher Schwarz

“Anarchism” is such a dirty, loaded and misunderstood word that I truly hesitated to use it as the title of the book “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest.”

Several people have suggested that I chose the word as a marketing ploy. If I did, then I’m a marketing moron because the book’s title has hurt sales. My mailbox has been stuffed by people who will never buy the book simply because I used that word.

But it is the right word. And when I see the word used in context and used correctly, it gives me hope.

Woodworker Adam Godet in Washington, D.C., has started a blog at his site: godetfurniture.com. And the first post is his take on the topic of anarchy in the workshop. It’s a good read, and I’ve added his blog to by RSS feed – and crossed my fingers.

— Christopher Schwarz

Ah, reviews. I am on both sides of this particular coin. I have to both administer them and receive them.

As far as reviews of “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” go, I have been struck by how many people are taking me to task on the technical details when the overall message of the book was what caused me endless agony.

Today I received an e-mail from a reader that is typical of what individual readers send me. It is the reason I wrote the book. Here goes. This is from reader Adam Godet:

“I hesitated to buy ‘The Anarchist’s Tool Chest’ …I’m not sure why. The first time I read the description on the web page, I thought, ‘400 pages of tool descriptions and instructions on building a box…and an argument not to buy more tools?! No thanks.’

“I’m not sure what changed my mind, but I’m grateful for it. The descriptions of necessary tools woodworkers should have and the appropriate attributes of them will be an invaluable reference for me (and others, I’m sure) as I build my tool set (not a collection).

“What I liked more about the book, was the anarchism argument. Although I never thought of it as anarchy, it’s a value system to which my wife and I have subscribed to for years. Ever since I got of out college and built my first crappy pine bookcases (which I submit are less crappy than the Ikea alternative I could have afforded at the time, since mine have survived five moves), to growing our own vegetables and making our own curtains and curtain rods, we’ve been living it.  There is a fierce and fulfilling independence in making/growing what we need…and living outside of the corporate/government structure…and rejecting purchases intended to be thrown away…so yeah, kinda like anarchy.

“Your argument on time vs. money gave me serious pause (as in, I lost sleep thinking about life after reading the section). That, and some of the other ethics sections are some of my favorite passages of anything I’ve read in a long time. It’s books like these that reinforce my rejection of fast-food, consumer culture and embrace the craftsman ethos. Unfortunately, it seems you’re the David fighting the consumerist Goliath…but unlike the parable, you’re building an army, and I (along with others, it seems) have enlisted.

“Finally, I finished the book about a week ago, but keep laughing to myself repeating some of the phrases from the book, such as, ‘poop a cupcake.’

“That is not to say I don’t have some complaints about the book:

“1. Reading this book is addictive…and it makes me want to go to my shop and work; but I want to keep reading the book too…this creates an internal conflict, and I blame you.

“2. Where was this book two years ago when I started down this woodworking path? When I was searching for quality hand tools, found garbage, and submitted (briefly) to the power tool vortex of noise and dust?

“3. I’ve lost about 4 hours of sleep this week staying up reading and thinking about this book.

“4. More and more I want to quit my cube-dwelling job and make stuff full-time. It’s not realistic for me yet…but one day, maybe I’ll have the skills and knowledge to cut loose.

“Thank you for an excellent resource, for reminding me and others that we need not subscribe to popular, unhealthy habits, and for an entertaining book. I look forward to future Lost Art Press publications.”

— Adam Godet

When I wrote “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest,” I stayed away from mentioning brand names when I discussed the tools that make up the core kit in the book. Instead of saying, “Buy these brands, and here are their item numbers,” I tried to give readers the information needed to evaluate tools on their own.

Despite this approach, several people have requested a list of all the brand names of tools in my chest and for my reasoning why I chose each tool.

I resisted these requests at first, but then I decided there was no harm in supplying the information. After all, these are my tools, purchased with my own money. And if you read enough of my blather then you probably could assemble the list on your own.

So we shot a 60-minute DVD titled “Inside the Anarchist’s Tool Chest.” Here’s what’s on it.

• A 55-minute movie where I discuss each tool in the chest, tell you who made it and discuss what I like about it.

• A 5-minute slideshow of 66 step photos of the construction of the chest that were not included in the book.

• An 11-page supplies list of the tools in my chest with direct web links to all of the suppliers of the tools – plus more notes on why I chose particular tools (and I offer a few alternate brands as well).

• A SketchUp drawing of the tool chest from the book.

Here’s a short trailer from the DVD:

As a special introductory offer, we will sell this DVD for $10 plus free shipping in the United States. This offer ensures that those readers who have already purchased the book won’t be punished for buying the book early.

After Aug. 31, the price will go up to its regular price of $12, plus media mail shipping.

To save on costs, the DVD ships in a paper sleeve – no fancy plastic case I’m afraid. We find those cases a waste of money and a hog of shelf space.

To order the DVD at this special price, click here.

— Christopher Schwarz

“But whenever we clutter up our houses with things we could quite well do without, buying them only because they please a passing fancy, or because our neighbours have them, or because they have become customary, then junk they are.

“For although the industrial world has by this time acquired some rudimentary ideas as to the fittingness of things, its output is continually increasing and its sales propaganda is increasingly directed towards representing non-essentials as necessary to our comfort and well-being.

“And these things can destroy beauty in its very essence by destroying the simplicity of our surroundings.”

— Charles Hayward, The Woodworker, January 1939