Working with unpowered hand tools exercises a different set of skills to machine use, and while the two approaches are quite compatible, there aren't as many opportunities to learn hand woodwork skills as there once was. This group encourages anyone interested in learning hand tools skills to join, whether you wish to build entire projects in this way or simply incorporate a few hand tool techniques into your furniture making.

The purpose of this group is also not to replace existing web forums for discussing tools and skills, but to encourage "real world" gatherings and workshops in Auckland, New Zealand so that all of us have a chance to meet like minded people and share ideas and techniques.

We welcome input from all branches of woodwork, including furniture making, boat building, green woodworking, timber framing, carving, bodging, coopering, turning and so on (although Auckland already has some good wood turning clubs).