Welcome to the Chester Toolworks website. Thank you for dropping by and taking the time to look around. My main premise as a toolmaker is that there is no reason that a hand tool cannot be both attractive and work well. In the 18th and 19th centuries there were literally hundreds of makers both in the US and abroad who managed to be successful making well designed, effective, and useful tools. I see no reason that woodworkers should have to settle for less in this 21st century.

Like many of you I went the route from home improvement carpenter to power tool addict, and finally became primarily a hand tool woodworker. Numerous frustrations with poorly made and badly designed tools led me to believe that I could make some tools for my own use that were better than the commercially available offerings. Like most beginners, my initial efforts were mixed in their results. By trial and error, practice, and by learning from my mistakes, I began to produce tools that friends started pestering me to buy or give to them as gifts. I was flattered and began to see that there were possibilities for a small niche business. Hmmm..... maybe this can help defray the costs of my tool and woodworking habit? Why not give it a shot?

Dave Anderson

Chester, NH