Why You Need To Change Your Awl What Is A Bird Cage Awl

[@nodarikirtadze8220]

I just made it out of an old screwdriver. I didn't think I'd like it so much! Thanks James

[@lincolndickerson1293]

just stopped by to see what this is awl about! Thanks for giving us your awl in this just like awl the others… before I get band I’ll stop even though that is not awl I’ve got. lololawlolol

[@girthbrooks39]

I see we've got a comedian over here... Well awl be damned.

[@nigelwylie01]

Awlright, that’s quite enough of that.

[@threeriversforge1997]

I've lost count of how many square awls I've forged over the years. Glad to see them getting some appreciation.

[@adamtheroofer3659]

I awlways loved using awls. Both of them have been very useful. I framed homes for a long time and the round awl was great for marking 2x4s. I also used the birdcage awl for installing the screws in door hinges and lock sets. Sometimes bits would wander in pine because the growth rings can be hard in some spots then soft in others. The awl could cut a screws starting hole where it wouldn’t wander!

[@BrownianMotionPicture]

Great point about the wandering bits in pine, you see it all the time in houses. Realising your house has been 'done up' by someone who caught the anyone-can-diy bug is unpleasant and how someone hangs a door is very telling.

[@TheMrchuck2000]

@@BrownianMotionPicturehanging a door is highly-skilled work, for sure.

[@johnmm]

Always wondered why there are different types of awls, now I know. And you showed why the bird cage (square end) awl is superior to the round end awl and how to change the latter to the former. Brilliant

[@The_Shiny_Red_Dingus_of_Mingus]

I have used a birdcage awl, and I have used a brad awl, but the one I'm most proficient with is bugger awl.

[@wiseoldfool]

I've made lots of them in my shop. In fact I made one today! (Not a birdcage awl or a brad awl).

[@leehaelters6182]

If that don't beat awl!

[@weisnowhere]

I bought my first awl at a yard sale, got a old screw driver with it. When I learned about these I ground down the screwdriver into a square awl. So I got both for $2!

[@danej7335]

old/broken screwdrivers make excellent 'stock' also, sharpen the point to a cone, essentially making a round awl tip, this alleviates the scribing issue and results in a hybrid awl aalso, they make very good 'reamers' for shopmade file handles, I make all of my handles with 1/8 pilot hole then use a gimlet or birdcage awl to fit.

[@autumn5592]

Yep, screwdriver shanks are more than fine for an Awl, and have comfortable handles already attached (well, if you buy good screwdrivers), so all that's left is to file it down. Thanks for the tip for using it as a file handle reamer.

[@TheXperior]

This type of awl was the first one I ever bought, yet I never thought of using it as a drill. Thanks for the lesson!

[@pagdesigns]

Thanks for the tip. I filed my Stanley 69-122 awl into a square version with no problem.

[@jancappsjohnson3142]

Absolutely genius, I love old school hand tools!and very much appreciate you taking the time to show us new comers there original purpose, as well as the many other things they can do.thank you sir,ur farthest northwest point of Washington fan

[@AB-C1]

Good video! My Grandad was an old school Carpenter/ Cabinet Maker/Furniture Maker/joiner and worked as a wood machinist. Both before and after the 2nd world war. Was a very skilled man, back then woodworking wasn't split into areas you had to learn EVERY aspect of woodworking as an apprentice regardless what area you went into for your job as such. Anyhow the techniques used back then were passed down for thousands of years but have been MOSTLY LOST now! Both woodworking and Stonework/stonemasonry! (You only have to loom around the world at both ancient and more recent relics, stoneworks wooden structures building joints etc ALL done (supposedly) without power tools/ with hand tools!? Even buildings, some old houses cottages even country pubs here on England you'll regularly find 300+ years old and the joinery and woodwork even windows much of the time are original (they're also about 4.5-5ft high ceilings!) That's how much smaller people were 200-300 years ago! 4-5ft max! Anyhow my point is when you see what they achieved by hand in Wood and stone and the exquisite furniture carvings stonework paintings etc they cannot recreate that level of skill by hand now and I hear of many occasions where old tools turn up at a car boot sale in England (like a yard sale in the US) and people will find odd items of tools and equipment and ornate trinkets, complex and simple tools well used but their use is LOST To HISTORY! No one remembers or knows what they were used for! So it just shows that rather than advancing as a civilization we are in fact going backwards! And to make it worse they DESTROY these old buildings and replace them with concrete and glass crap that won't last 50years! I used to drink in a pub in the city of London that was built in 1500s-1600s and was ALL original Mahogany and Oak throughout! (They knocked it down 20years ago replaced it with a glass tower block!) Absolute TRAVESTY! All that HISTORY exquisite woodwork the stories that place must have been able to tell if it could talk! All wiped from History and this it seems is systematic and intentional! I'm GLAD that YOU and Others like you are keeping alive and reviving these old Techniques and Tools! As I believe as a race, we need to get back to that level of skill as individuals and become expert in these old techniques, so that we can revive this lost knowledge and tools.. rather than rely on computers and technology.. yeah obviously use power tools to speed a process up, but learn the process manually first! And try to reconstruct and relearn reverse engineer these lost techniques, joints, ways of working that produced furniture and structures that last thousands of years of allowed to not 50years max!! Sorry for the essay, just I love this stuff and I'm passionate about this. I'm currently acquiring as many old tools as I can find of different kinds for woodworking metal work etc and intend to teach myself the old techniques like my Grandad used to use and know but which are now lost mostly .. I think my next project will be to make a bird cage awl from maybe an old burred Philips screw driver or two, having just received a set of metal hand-files (bought from eBay lol 😅🤣😅!) Cheers from London England 👍💪😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@BrownianMotionPicture]

I have bought perhaps 1000 tools from boot fairs. Very rarely did I not know the use, but I concur that there have been times where not one person knew what it was, not even old tradesmen from three generations ago.. I share similar views to you. In my village we have cottages still habitable which were built from the 1400s onwards, very beautiful.

[@johnmm]

If you haven't seen it, check out Secrets of the Castle BBC2 2014 5 part series and on KZbin: about the building of a 13th century castle using 13th century tools and materials, in present day France - Guédelon Castle. You can go visit it. Incredible building skill they already had back in the 13th century.

[@AdrianDecaux]

Your humor is amazing, it allways makes me smile.

[@terristroh3965]

Finally a use for all those flat head screwdrivers.

[@tonyo5596]

"Egyptians used to use these, and uh... we still have a use for them today." Are there any Egyptian folks in the comments? Do you in fact still have a use for these today? Haha I don't know why I found this funny, but there you go. As always, another awesome video. Thank you for your content and your awesome jokes :)

[@vince55sanders]

round are very handy for metal siding installation

[@thomasgreen8532]

That’s a surprise, I have been around tools all my life and I have never seen that before. Cool idea

[@daveturnbull7221]

I picked one up from ebay which the sellers grandfather had made from a broken square file. Works really well and makes a lovely line though I haven't tried using it to make a hole (yet) 👍

[@vince55sanders]

my grandfather made the one i still use from a broker file and small wood screwdriver handle

[@erkeltree]

Converting a screwdriver to an awl is quite easy, either birdcage or round.

[@robdavidson4945]

Thanks for teaching me a little more about the stabby thing.

[@oldguy7402]

"Hey, y'all"as an opening for a video about awls. Automatic up vote.

[@mt11235]

They also are great for making the pilot hole for drywall anchors. Such a simple and useful tool that really doesn't require much precision to make. To keep them sharp, occasionally (maybe once every month or so) I'll grab mine when going to sharpen a plane or chisel and just give it a few swipes on each side on the 300 grit stone. Seems to keep it good enough for really no extra effort.

[@HiltownJoe]

One of the places where a bridcage awl can not replace the round one are places where you use the awl where you specifically want the just pushing away action. That is for example basket weaving rope work and similar.

[@martinovallejo]

I actually have a really old sort of hand drill that's not much more than a bird cage awl with a twisted shaft and a small part that makes it spin when you run it up and down. The tip is quite small, but it's great for making pilot holes and other applications of the sort.

[@keithreinbolt159]

Sounds like a gimlet.

[@paulfrost8952]

What your describing sounds like an archimedes drill.

[@petegarnett7731]

They were known as Yankee screwdrivers when fitted with a driver head.

[@evanf1443]

Bushcrafters like to use awls to punch holes in wood still too, the awl on a leatherman or Swiss Army knife can be used for it.

[@brucematthews6417]

I modified the tip of a round awl to be a taper pointed triangle. It cuts pilot holes easily and quickly even in hardwood. Similar idea to the square birdcage awl of course.

[@wyssmaster]

Last year I bought a couple old screwdrivers from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, cut off the tips and sharpened them to awls. Cost me like $2 for three or four.

[@cjoe5977]

awl in all seems like a great video

[@gmmeier321]

Wonderful. I use my standard awl for poking holes in drywall to set anchors. But the birdcage variant would be better. Converting mine.

[@TheDistur]

Interesting stuff. I probably should make one. Got some old rusty screwdrivers that aren't good for much else.

[@ryanallthewiser]

Boom #1. And yes have been waiting for!!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Even when recovering from a major surgery, he's still king of the first!

[@brianatbtacprod1989]

Well now I have to go to the hardware store. I have used an awl and matching screwdriver that were my grandfather's. I had never seen a bird cage awl before. I don't know that I would drill holes with it, but starting screws could be a big help. Starting screws in things like MDF is a major pain because it's so tough. This looks like it would make a world of difference, more so if you are trying to start those really short screws that go into drawer slides that always end up non perpendicular to the surface of the wood.

[@fredbrooks1386]

Learned something new today! Thanks

[@CleaveMountaineering]

You know those tapered drill bits with countersink that like to break? I wonder if you chucked up a birdcage awl in a drill how it would work for high speed construction work like decking. Probably a lot more durable and can be resharpened many times.

[@georgemarantino833]

I have found similar things made out of carbide meant for deburring and marking steel. The only issue is they are kind of delicate. The KZbin channel This Old Tony has a great video on them.

[@ianbracken7973]

I like to have a twist gimlet. It's basically a tiny auger drill with it's own handle.

[@bobt2522]

I love my bird cage y'all! Symmetricallity? Is that different from symmetry?

[@ricos1497]

It's for when it's really, really symmetrous.

[@markhedquist9597]

More educational content here. I love it! I'm a little interested in the awl that looks to be made from brass plumbing fittings. I'm gonna re-watch and see if I can get a better look at it!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Good eye. That was made by a friend and you are correct. It is plumbing fittings.

[@threeriversforge1997]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Oooh, you need to show that beauty so the rest of us can ponder what's in our pile of plumbing bits!

[@PedroPereira-ut6pp]

the last one crack me up! nice video. cheers

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

Makes me wondering if a carbide rod sharpened on a diamond stone. is feasible for this application.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I have seen those. Great for when needing to mark hardened steel.

[@TaylerMade]

if you use a true old fashioned screw which is tapered from top to bottom (furniture restoration etc), you need a birdcage awl to pre drill your hole, so the screw fits properly in the hole.

[@colemine7008]

It is awl we needed to know.

[@Moostery]

I like to make my own awls out of nice old worn out screwdrivers with wooden handles. I'll have to convert a few of them to bird cage awls =)

[@jjwouters6436]

Awl in all that was great James! Awlright I'll see myself out.

[@MCsCreations]

Really, really interesting, James!!! 😃 Thanks a bunch!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@nodarikirtadze8220]

Oh, I'm definitely making it one of these days

[@orellinvvardengra6775]

Took the plunge and bought a stanley off of ebay. Excited and nervous to see if I actually get what I payed for and if it is as nice as it looked. I got some maple and apple to get to. Edit:Package received. It has a plane in it!

[@CindyBallreich]

I'd love to see a video about making a birdcage with a birdcage awl. Seriously. I'd really like to know how that was done.

[@standswithfish]

I have a Saws Awl, does that count?

[@raminieminen2955]

What about gimlets, do you ever use them instead on an awl for making small holes?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I have a few of those too.

[@iainmcculloch5807]

One awl to rule them all!

[@hankmerkle5928]

I was hopeful you would talk about a 3-sided awl versus a 4-sided... some swear by the 3-sided... more curious than anything else...

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

there are those and diamond but those are each for different uses.

[@e2298sg]

Do you think an old broken screwdriver could be used to make this? Or would the hardness be wrong?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Sure. If you can file it it'll work fine.

[@autumn5592]

I've not used high end screwdrivers to do it, but cheap ones are generally made of softer steel, and these have worked brilliantly.

[@damianlewis1103]

Another use is for drilling the pilot holes for cut nails.

[@colemine7008]

Thanks for this video.

[@wallyschmidt77]

Where did you get the little awl with the brass handle?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

That was made for me by a friend! It is old plumbing parts!.

[@wallyschmidt77]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Time for another trip to the hardware store! Thanks.

[@johnbacca2640]

A twofer: great video and the word "symmetricality"!!

[@nolanstevenson3510]

Made one like a year ago out of a gutter hanger nail and scrap wood

[@benjamindebellis6664]

I've been making these for years out of a screwdriver that I managed to break the tip on. I just didn't know they had a real name.

[@georgenewlands9760]

Awl in awl a great video James👍

[@johnoerter2883]

Awl-some! Thank you!

[@christophercastor6666]

Awlright I’m listening.

[@jonbryant5665]

I'm trying to imagine how a birdcage would be constructed and look like when made with a birdcage awl. Would you have any idea what it would look like?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

It would be a simple square. You would have larger sticks running each of the corners and then smaller sticks pinned between them through the holes created. And then one end you would make a simple panel that could be tied in place with string or fiber rope.

[@jonbryant5665]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Ok that is making more sense. I kept imagining someone cutting off young branches and bending them over between two holes to form the classic birdcage look.

[@margaretkrantz1469]

Very helpful! I've been coveting yours for a while now when they've made an appearance in your videos. I like the idea of making some in different sizes. What are these shafts called at the hardware store?

[@leapinglemurcraftworks6426]

Awlfully corny James….. Very interesting - and answered a long standing question. You are a great source for hand tool information

[@cbryantbear6498]

I am just in awl by this video!!

[@benstradling7615]

That video was awefulll

[@RichardBuckman]

Can you show us how to catch a bird?

[@zumazmusic]

Awl in awl, this was a pretty good video. 🤣😝

[@cuttwice3905]

I thought bird cage awls used by the studio to make "La Cage aux Folles"

[@andrewbrimmer1797]

And that's awl she wrote!😂

[@Elderos5]

The puns are Awlful. 😁👍

[@tellthemborissentyou]

I bought an old push drill at a second hand tool shop. Mrs tellthemborissentyou saw me use it, she tried it and never gave it back. It now lives in her craft box. It is just the best way to start screws.

[@1pcfred]

I have some awls. Don't use them very much. I don't have any birdcage awls though.

[@autumn5592]

Brilliant tools, do more than I could list. Always carry one when I'm working.

[@randsipe224]

Hey ya, drill like an Egyptian

[@johnsmith2076]

Awl good. Subscribed. :)

[@stanleydenning]

So, now we need to make a birdcage.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I think that one will have to go on the list.

[@SteveC38]

Nice!

[@gregpreston7301]

I think we need a project with not much more than an awl and a knife. Actually sounds more like something Rex would do but...

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Actually that video is on my list. It'll go along with the projects where I just use a chisel.

[@gregpreston7301]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo I should have guessed that 'cause... you're awesome! 😏

[@gregpreston7301]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo hey James, any thoughts on what to do with some Rhododendron branches? Mostly 1 1/2 to 3 inches but a few 10-12 inch pieces up to 5+ inches. I'm thinking handles, spoons maybe pens?

[@pinkerbot]

Hey y'awl 😁

[@wallyschmidt77]

Just so's you know, KZbin offered to translate your comment to English for me!

[@pinkerbot]

@@wallyschmidt77 😁

[@sigogglin]

If folks don’t like this video at least you gave it your awl.

[@Keelsman]

Symmetricality you say? I say, maybe don't argue with someone who's handling a sharp awl!

[@moc5541]

Paul Sellers--- see his channel--- frequently demonstrates the use of a square awl.

[@BreakingElegance]

Awl-some prison shanks

[@OORAH659]

ice picks are a bygone tool .... ehhehehe ... OORAH!!

[@taxodiumdistichum9678]

Symmetricality? No sir. Its symmetricity. Thanks!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I deg to biffer. Lol

[@johann1967]

Awl that and a bag of chips.

[@dpmeyer4867]

I think you thought of awl the jokes that could be told about this subject.

[@jimsaleh3]

Symmetricality??? Maybe just symmetrical. 🤭

[@anpr5309]

You gave your awl.

[@daviddickason6729]

proper saddle stitching uses a diamond point awl, not a round one - aside from that, good video - thanks

[@dpmeyer4867]

snide remark

[@piffwhiffle]

I prefer a Bee awl. Tip your waitresses folks

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Finally lol