A regular at my shop in Boise changed my mind about clipper guards

He's a woodworker, and he told me he never uses a jig for his dovetails because it stops him from feeling the wood. He said, 'Your hands know more than the tool.' I realized I'd been leaning on my 1.5 guard for every fade, scared to freehand. I tried it his way yesterday on a simple taper, and the control was different. Anyone else find they rely on a guard too much?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_harper20d ago

I always thought guards were a must, but maybe my hands are smarter.

stone.lisa20d ago

Got a story behind that? What made you change your mind.

ellioth3720d ago

My buddy who paints said the same thing about rulers, that his lines got stiff. He tried going freehand on a mural border and it just flowed better.