Hello,
Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done
now.
I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end
in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a
release. The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything
really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things
over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better
with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit
together perfectly and that irritates me.
I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say,
"Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't
fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some
sort, maybe? Picture frames?
I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
$75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push
everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a
difference or not.
Thanks,
busbus
On Jul 30, 9:32=A0pm, busbus <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. =A0It's done
> now.
>
> I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end
> in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a
> release. =A0The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything
> really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things
> over and over again but...what? =A0I know I need to get A LOT better
> with joints, almost all joints! =A0I can make them but they don't fit
> together perfectly and that irritates me.
>
> I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say,
> "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't
> fit so well." =A0Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
> cheap stuff? =A0Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
> things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
>
> Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? =A0Boxes of some
> sort, maybe? =A0Picture frames?
>
> I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
> $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
> sharing with another friend. =A0I work out of a half a garage and push
> everything against the wall. =A0I don't know if any of this makes a
> difference or not.
Make over and over again...? Why? Are you hoping to go into
production?
It really doesn't matter all that much what you make, as long as you
learn from your mistakes, exercise your patience, and _enjoy_ what
you're making. No one here can answer what pleases you.
There are lots of, ahem, branches to woodworking and they are very
different animals. Some people love fussy work such as chip carving,
others like building large items like kitchen cabinets. What triggers
your 'man, that's sweet, I'd like to make/own one of those' reaction?
When you find something that just begs to be made, that's what you
should make.
The other factor is what will you do with the stuff you make. Will
you keep the stuff, furnish your house, give them away as gifts? If
it's gifts, something small is best, of course. If there is a SWMBO
in the picture, you'll get your orders from on high. ;)
R
Lew Hodgett wrote:
>
> Woodworkers and sailors have something in common, patience.
>
I don't know about sailors but where the hell did it ever say in the rule
book that woodworkers had to have patience? Damn it - I hate it when I miss
this stuff...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:30:04 -0400, "Buddy Matlosz"
<[email protected]> wrote the following:
>
>"Larry Jaques" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus <[email protected]>
>> wrote the following:
>>
>>>Hello,
>>>
>>>Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done
>>>now.
>>
>> You were this || close to being plonked, buddy.
>>
>
>WTF did *I* do???
You were being _yourself_, bub.
--
To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.
-- Confucius
On Aug 1, 12:07=A0pm, Neil Brooks <[email protected]> wrote:
> Small tables are great. =A0M&T joinery is a very helpful skill. =A0Thinks
> like splined miters are run.
>
> Bird feeders, waste baskets, jewelry boxes, shoe stands, cutting
> boards, mail boxes ... wine bottle holders, are all rather quick
> projects that CAN make use of pretty complex joinery, if you want them
> to.
>
> Whatever you choose ... it SHOULD require the purchase of a new tool,
> though.
Those are good suggestions to build.
However, I do not agree with the last statement. The biggest reason
is that I do not necessarily have the extra cash laying around,
especially since I have a kid starting college in a couple weeks and
another one ready to go in another couple years, so I will be "poor"
for a while. :o)
Another reason I do not agree is that I don't think you really "need"
all those additional tools. Somebody said it best within this thread
that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxury
of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. I
*do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanley
planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking
gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have.
Maybe I am way wrong (again!!) but I think it is more what you do and
how you do it rather than what tools you may have. It would be nice
to have all those cool tools but I am probably better off learning how
to use the ones I have already than to add to the arsenal.
Basically, that is the real meat behind this question: what kinds of
things should I start building that would be practical and will help
me get better. I think it is probably a common thing that people go
out and buy a new tool without learning how to fully use the ones they
already have. In fact, I am willing to bet that many times, a new
tool is not really necessary and other tools can do what you want to
do. It may not be easy and sometimes, I bet, it is really difficult.
I wonder how much money we all spend to get a cool new tool that is a
one-trick pony and is used infrequently (although, it is nice to have
whenever the need arises).
On Aug 1, 12:02=A0pm, Larry Blanchard <[email protected]> wrote:
> Well, if you really want a learning challenge, look up "Wooton Patent
> Desk" :-).
>
> http://www.wootondesks.com/
>
:o)
LOL. I think I will block out a couple weekends to build this. It
really looks easy!
On Jul 30, 7:32=A0pm, busbus <[email protected]> wrote:
> Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? =A0Boxes of some
> sort, maybe? =A0Picture frames?
>
> I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
> $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
> sharing with another friend. =A0I work out of a half a garage and push
> everything against the wall. =A0I don't know if any of this makes a
> difference or not.
What kind of JOINERY are you proficient with ?
IMHO, it's probably time to learn a new skill.
When you figure out which new joint you might be interested in
learning, then you can survey your stash of wood, and decide what
you're already equipped to build.
Often, it's good to do this by looking through DIY plan books or
websites.
Small tables are great. M&T joinery is a very helpful skill. Thinks
like splined miters are run.
Bird feeders, waste baskets, jewelry boxes, shoe stands, cutting
boards, mail boxes ... wine bottle holders, are all rather quick
projects that CAN make use of pretty complex joinery, if you want them
to.
Whatever you choose ... it SHOULD require the purchase of a new tool,
though.
"busbus" wrote:
> The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything
> really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things
> over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better
> with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit
> together perfectly and that irritates me.
>
> I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say,
> "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part
> doesn't
> fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
> cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
> things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
>
> Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some
> sort, maybe? Picture frames?
>
> I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
> $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
> sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push
> everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a
> difference or not.
----------------------------------------------
Woodworkers and sailors have something in common, patience.
Patience is a virtue applies.
Reading the above indicates to me you probably need to improve your
patience skills.
One way to do that is to you real material that costs real money so
that when you get in a hurry and make a mistake, there is a price to
pay, not only in money but also time.
Start by building some sleds out of Baltic birch plywood.(Cross cut,
45 miter, box loint, panel trimming, etc).
Not only do you improve your skills, you get something that is useful.
You have a router, build a router station.
The NYW version worked for me.
You have a drill press, build some jigs for it.
The above will consume $200-$300 and probably a years time, but you
will have accomplished something as well.
Have fun.
Lew
busbus <[email protected]> wrote in news:f670dbfb-99bb-48d0-a0db-
[email protected]:
> Hello,
>
> Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done
> now.
>
> I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end
> in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a
> release. The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything
> really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things
> over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better
> with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit
> together perfectly and that irritates me.
>
> I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say,
> "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't
> fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
> cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
> things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
>
> Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some
> sort, maybe? Picture frames?
>
> I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
> $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
> sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push
> everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a
> difference or not.
>
> Thanks,
> busbus
How about a set of drawers? The drawers will be made over and over
again, but in the end you'll get something useful. A small one with 3
drawers and a nice frame could be a nightstand or a wider one may be a
couple in end tables.
Go ahead and use the pine. Sometimes all it takes is a little work and
you've got a beautiful piece of wood. (Or at least not an ugly one.)
Once I get my CMS dust collection stand finished, the next project is
going to be a half dozen or so bins for screws.
The most important thing is to simply go out there and build something!
Since you're just practicing, just screw or nail the parts together. If
you get a better idea later, it's easy to take apart.
Puckdropper
--
Never teach your apprentice everything you know.
"busbus" wrote:
>
>The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything
>really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things
>over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better
>with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit
>together perfectly and that irritates me.
>
>I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say,
>"Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part
>doesn't
>fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
>cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
>things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
>
>Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some
>sort, maybe? Picture frames?
>
>I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
>$75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
>sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push
>everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a
>difference or not.
Box making would be my suggestion. Pick up one of Doug Stowe's books on
the subject. Doug used to be an active member of this news group. I
recommend:
http://www.dougstowe.com/book/book.htm
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
[email protected]
"Larry Jaques" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus <[email protected]>
> wrote the following:
>
>>Hello,
>>
>>Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done
>>now.
>
> You were this || close to being plonked, buddy.
>
WTF did *I* do???
Buddy
"Larry Jaques" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus <[email protected]>
> wrote the following:
>
>>Hello,
>>
>>Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done
>>now.
>
> You were this || close to being plonked, buddy.
>
WTF did *I* do???
Buddy
Neil Brooks <[email protected]> wrote in news:49f0addb-cc7d-48b2-9768-
[email protected]:
*snip*
>
> Whatever you choose ... it SHOULD require the purchase of a new tool,
> though.
>
At the very least, an accessory for an existing tool!
Puckdropper
--
Never teach your apprentice everything you know.
"busbus" wrote:
However, I do not agree with the last statement. The biggest reason
is that I do not necessarily have the extra cash laying around,
especially since I have a kid starting college in a couple weeks and
another one ready to go in another couple years, so I will be "poor"
for a while.
-----------------------------------
Stick around.
Your position WILL change.
Lew
Robatoy <[email protected]> wrote in
news:dda2d48f-c44b-4fc3-933d-7de5cb379859@f33g2000yqe.googlegroups.com:
> I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as
> a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your
> favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule!
The feel of a tool you made that way yourself is right up there also. I
was tempted to post a gloat that I had a sharp saw, and I did it myself.
(Needs a little touchup now... A swipe or two with a file on each tooth
will do it.)
Puckdropper
--
Never teach your apprentice everything you know.
busbus <[email protected]> wrote in news:97f9b4ae-5495-41e4-bc13-
[email protected]:
>
> Holy heck!! A Domino?! That is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay outta my league!
Dominos would be perfect for your purpose! Plane stock, rip to width, and
then cut to length. For more of a challenge, make smaller dominoes with
the bumps in them.
You've got to have 81 of them (double 9) to play, so there's lots of
practice to be had.
Puckdropper
--
Never teach your apprentice everything you know.
On Aug 2, 8:58=A0pm, Robatoy <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Aug 2, 8:49=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:17:00 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy <[email protected]=
om>
> > wrote:
>
> > >On Aug 2, 7:09=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]=
z>
> > >wrote:
> > >> =A0I like working with them, so they
> > >> get bought while I can. =A0Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know =
how to get
> > >> the most out of yet. =A0That's the fun; learning.
>
> > >I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as
> > >a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your
> > >favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule!
>
> > Haven't brought myself to the point of making that leap. =A0Yet. =A0You=
@$$#%@@
> > hooked =A0me on a couple of FesteringTools, though. =A0I'm hoping to "g=
et by" with
> > a MorticePal.
>
> *wringing my hands with diabolical glee*
>
> I bought a box of 1000 dowels a few years ago. I used them all. A 'one-
> hole' Stanley dowel jig and super-sharp drill bits. Brad points. So a
> Domino is a natural jump, because you can't always use cookies......
> and there is this guy in this newsgroup who has published a few shots
> of a chair he made....and I'm challenged....and I now have the time.
That'd be ST... you know who you are..... (a response to a few
requests off-line)
On Aug 2, 8:44=A0pm, Robatoy <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Aug 2, 8:31=A0pm, busbus <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Aug 2, 7:09=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]=
>
> > wrote:
>
> > > >Somebody said it best within this thread
> > > >that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxur=
y
> > > >of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. =
=A0I
> > > >*do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanle=
y
> > > >planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking
> > > >gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have.
>
> > > That's an argument for Neander vs. Norm. =A0OTOH, I'm more of a Tim. =
=A0;-)
>
> > I am starting to think I am more of a Neaderthal. I guess! =A0I have
> > played with hand cut dovetails and even though they sort of look like
> > a three-year-old cut some of them, I really liked it. =A0I think I like
> > the PROCESS the most. =A0I love the quiet, too. =A0It was just relaxing=
.
> > Does that make me a neander? =A0Maybe it does...I haven't really, reall=
y
> > thought about that before but maybe you are on to something...
>
> Now that I have distanced myself from "Bigger, Better, Faster' type of
> thinking, I have found myself in the delicate balance of using modern
> day technology to achieve old world results.
> To wit:
>
> I have bought a set of scraper blades >>>> so I can remove,
> delicately, the machining marks from my cnc. That cnc is really
> nothing more than a 'roughing' machine. It gives me a chunk of wood
> that then needs to be coddled, scraped, fondled in neanderthal ways.
> Then finished with BLO and waxes and shit.
Oh, and btw, I feel a bit oafy about getting caught up in the 'neil'
debacle myself. I hope the 'Crew' here can cut me a little slack.
On Aug 1, 12:48=A0pm, Swingman <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 8/1/2010 11:37 AM, busbus wrote:
>
> > On Aug 1, 12:02 pm, Larry Blanchard<[email protected]> =A0wrote:
> >> Well, if you really want a learning challenge, look up "Wooton Patent
> >> Desk" :-).
>
> >>http://www.wootondesks.com/
>
> > :o)
>
> > LOL. =A0I think I will block out a couple weekends to build this. =A0It
> > really looks easy!
>
> I'd just buy a 50's jukebox and be done with it ...
>
> --www.e-woodshop.net
> Last update: 4/15/2010
> KarlC@ (the obvious)
Sure. LOL. Seriously though... in terms if "What Were They Thinking",
the designs that went into juke boxes was so off the wall that it's
beautiful in many cases. Kitch and Garishness galore, but some are so
over the top it makes you wonder if any of them inspired all those
things George Lucas ended up doing...and Vegas...and 1958
Cadillacs...<G>
On Aug 2, 7:09=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> >Somebody said it best within this thread
> >that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxury
> >of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. =A0I
> >*do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanley
> >planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking
> >gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have.
>
> That's an argument for Neander vs. Norm. =A0OTOH, I'm more of a Tim. =A0;=
-)
>
I am starting to think I am more of a Neaderthal. I guess! I have
played with hand cut dovetails and even though they sort of look like
a three-year-old cut some of them, I really liked it. I think I like
the PROCESS the most. I love the quiet, too. It was just relaxing.
Does that make me a neander? Maybe it does...I haven't really, really
thought about that before but maybe you are on to something...
>
> To each. =A0I don't feature doing mortices by hand. =A0Dovetails? =A0You =
gotta be
> kidding me. =A0
>
Oops! I guess I answered that one already! :o)
> >Basically, that is the real meat behind this question: what kinds of
> >things should I start building that would be practical and will help
> >me get better. =A0I think it is probably a common thing that people go
> >out and buy a new tool without learning how to fully use the ones they
> >already have. =A0In fact, I am willing to bet that many times, a new
> >tool is not really necessary and other tools can do what you want to
> >do. =A0It may not be easy and sometimes, I bet, it is really difficult.
> >I wonder how much money we all spend to get a cool new tool that is a
> >one-trick pony and is used infrequently (although, it is nice to have
> >whenever the need arises).
>
> Tools are my only vise (no decent vices, though). =A0My real-retirement (=
I've
> already done it once ;) plans include a lot of woodworking. I have a very=
good
> income, plus retirement income, and I'm at the point in my life where exp=
enses
> are going down, so can easily afford tools. =A0I like working with them, =
so they
> get bought while I can. =A0Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how t=
o get
> the most out of yet. =A0That's the fun; learning.
I have an okay vise I got for $20. As far as vices...well...need to
ask the wife.
Maybe I am a cheap b^st^rd but I don't have the money at this point in
time. I think I need to learn how to do things right at first then
move on to the toys. Who knows! LOL!!! I think no matter which way
ya go, it is a slippery slope.
On Aug 2, 8:49=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:17:00 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy <[email protected]=
>
> wrote:
>
> >On Aug 2, 7:09=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
> >wrote:
> >> =A0I like working with them, so they
> >> get bought while I can. =A0Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know ho=
w to get
> >> the most out of yet. =A0That's the fun; learning.
>
> >I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as
> >a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your
> >favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule!
>
> Haven't brought myself to the point of making that leap. =A0Yet. =A0You @=
$$#%@@
> hooked =A0me on a couple of FesteringTools, though. =A0I'm hoping to "get=
by" with
> a MorticePal.
*wringing my hands with diabolical glee*
I bought a box of 1000 dowels a few years ago. I used them all. A 'one-
hole' Stanley dowel jig and super-sharp drill bits. Brad points. So a
Domino is a natural jump, because you can't always use cookies......
and there is this guy in this newsgroup who has published a few shots
of a chair he made....and I'm challenged....and I now have the time.
On Aug 1, 9:53=A0am, Megan Kinzler <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Jul 31, 1:33=A0pm, RicodJour <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jul 30, 9:32=A0pm, busbus <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > > Hello,
>
> > > Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. =A0It's d=
one
> > > now.
>
> > > I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any en=
d
> > > in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a
> > > release. =A0The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything
> > > really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things
> > > over and over again but...what? =A0I know I need to get A LOT better
> > > with joints, almost all joints! =A0I can make them but they don't fit
> > > together perfectly and that irritates me.
>
> > > I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say,
> > > "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't
> > > fit so well." =A0Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
> > > cheap stuff? =A0Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
> > > things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
>
> > > Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? =A0Boxes of some
> > > sort, maybe? =A0Picture frames?
>
> > > I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
> > > $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
> > > sharing with another friend. =A0I work out of a half a garage and pus=
h
> > > everything against the wall. =A0I don't know if any of this makes a
> > > difference or not.
>
> > Make over and over again...? =A0Why? =A0Are you hoping to go into
> > production?
>
> > It really doesn't matter all that much what you make, as long as you
> > learn from your mistakes, exercise your patience, and _enjoy_ what
> > you're making. =A0No one here can answer what pleases you.
>
> > There are lots of, ahem, branches to woodworking and they are very
> > different animals. =A0Some people love fussy work such as chip carving,
> > others like building large items like kitchen cabinets. =A0What trigger=
s
> > your 'man, that's sweet, I'd like to make/own one of those' reaction?
> > When you find something that just begs to be made, that's what you
> > should make.
>
> > The other factor is what will you do with the stuff you make. =A0Will
> > you keep the stuff, furnish your house, give them away as gifts? =A0If
> > it's gifts, something small is best, of course. =A0If there is a SWMBO
> > in the picture, you'll get your orders from on high. =A0;)
>
> > R
>
> All great advice. =A0You guys pegged me good: I need to work on my
> patience! =A0I ain't got none.
>
> What I meant by "over and over" was the same sort of thing: like when
> somebody suggested that I make drawers. =A0That would be doing the same
> thing over and over again. =A0Good advice.
>
> I personally would like to build bigger things like cabinets or
> something like that. =A0I guess I could build cabinets for the garage:
> one for my drill press, maybe a router table (even though I do have
> one of those small, pre-made tables already), or even put several
> together to make a decent workbench.
>
> I was wondering about starting to use hardwood because I thought that
> maybe my results could possibly be better. =A0I have tried making hand
> cut dovetails and have done alright but i have trouble cleaning out
> the waste and I thought that maybe it was because the pine I was using
> was soft and, well, stringy (sort of). =A0I thought maybe the hardwood
> would clean up better. =A0I am probably 1000% wrong but I have no clue.
>
> Making jigs is also a great idea because that, in of itself, will
> force me to become more patient because if the jig is off, then it
> will be of no use. =A0I guess in addition to patience, I will need to
> work on my anger management skills because I am sure I am going to get
> frustrated to hell and back trying to get the jigs to be perfectly
> accurate!
>
> Oh, as far as learning how to sharpen chisels, I think I have got that
> one down. =A0I have played with the Scary Sharp method to clean up some
> old chisels that were given to me and it worked really well. =A0I have
> found that it is faster and easier to sharpen freehand than playing
> around with jigs. =A0I had bought one and the person who gave me her
> father's old chisels included one he had and neither worked as well as
> nothing. =A0Plus using noting was a whole lot faster. =A0It seems awful
> strnage to me but I actually had a lot of fun sharpening those
> chisels.
>
> Thanks for all the suggestions.
>
> busbus
OOPS!!!!!
My daughter was logged in and I replied using her information. Sorry
about that!!!!!!
On Aug 2, 8:17=A0pm, Robatoy <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Aug 2, 7:09=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> > =A0I like working with them, so they
> > get bought while I can. =A0Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how=
to get
> > the most out of yet. =A0That's the fun; learning.
>
> I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as
> a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your
> favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule!
Holy heck!! A Domino?! That is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay outta my league!
On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:31:25 -0700 (PDT), busbus <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Aug 2, 7:09 pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>> >Somebody said it best within this thread
>> >that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxury
>> >of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. I
>> >*do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanley
>> >planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking
>> >gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have.
>>
>> That's an argument for Neander vs. Norm. OTOH, I'm more of a Tim. ;-)
>>
>
>I am starting to think I am more of a Neaderthal. I guess! I have
>played with hand cut dovetails and even though they sort of look like
>a three-year-old cut some of them, I really liked it. I think I like
>the PROCESS the most. I love the quiet, too. It was just relaxing.
>Does that make me a neander? Maybe it does...I haven't really, really
>thought about that before but maybe you are on to something...
Ayup! Neander, you are.
>> To each. I don't feature doing mortices by hand. Dovetails? You gotta be
>> kidding me.
>>
>
>Oops! I guess I answered that one already! :o)
;-)
>> >Basically, that is the real meat behind this question: what kinds of
>> >things should I start building that would be practical and will help
>> >me get better. I think it is probably a common thing that people go
>> >out and buy a new tool without learning how to fully use the ones they
>> >already have. In fact, I am willing to bet that many times, a new
>> >tool is not really necessary and other tools can do what you want to
>> >do. It may not be easy and sometimes, I bet, it is really difficult.
>> >I wonder how much money we all spend to get a cool new tool that is a
>> >one-trick pony and is used infrequently (although, it is nice to have
>> >whenever the need arises).
>>
>> Tools are my only vise (no decent vices, though). My real-retirement (I've
>> already done it once ;) plans include a lot of woodworking. I have a very good
>> income, plus retirement income, and I'm at the point in my life where expenses
>> are going down, so can easily afford tools. I like working with them, so they
>> get bought while I can. Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how to get
>> the most out of yet. That's the fun; learning.
>
>I have an okay vise I got for $20. As far as vices...well...need to
>ask the wife.
Well, we always have to ask the wife.
>Maybe I am a cheap b^st^rd but I don't have the money at this point in
>time. I think I need to learn how to do things right at first then
>move on to the toys. Who knows! LOL!!! I think no matter which way
>ya go, it is a slippery slope.
I've been there. I think we all have. Yes, it certainly is a slippery slope.
Pilgramige to Woodcraft (Birmingham) set for this weekend. ;-)
On 7/30/2010 8:32 PM, busbus wrote:
> Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some
> sort, maybe? Picture frames?
Tables ...
http://www.amazon.com/Tables-Projects-Book-Anthony-Giudice/dp/1561583421
Start with the one on the cover.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)
"Bill" <[email protected]> wrote
> If you would like to challenge your patience,
> try ice-fishing (and I mean "shanty-less" ice fishing!).
I don't see how it challenges your patience. Sanity, yes. Sensibility,
yes. Common sense, yes. You have to lack those three things to go out on
frozen water in the middle of winter just to fish.
busbus wrote:
> Hello,
... snip
>
> Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some
> sort, maybe? Picture frames?
>
> I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
> $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
> sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push
> everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a
> difference or not.
>
> Thanks,
> busbus
What Lew said below is good advice. Those jigs are going to help you hone
your skills because precision is a requirement for them to work well. After
that, you will have the tools needed to tackle projects for the house. Look
around at things you might want or need (mirrors, picture frames, decorative
shelves, etc if you want small projects). You can also adopt a longterm
project that is bigger (say a curio cabinet, end tables, or similar) with
the knowledge that it's going to take a year or two to finish. Break the
bigger project into smaller sub-projects so you see results and get the
satisfaction of seeing something finish that goes into the whole. For
example, completing the carcase can be one of those sub-projects. Same for
drawers, top, etc. Take your time and enjoy what you are seeing come
together.
--
There is never a situation where having more rounds is a disadvantage
Rob Leatham
On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 11:09:19 -0700 (PDT), busbus <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Aug 1, 12:07 pm, Neil Brooks <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Small tables are great. M&T joinery is a very helpful skill. Thinks
>> like splined miters are run.
>>
>> Bird feeders, waste baskets, jewelry boxes, shoe stands, cutting
>> boards, mail boxes ... wine bottle holders, are all rather quick
>> projects that CAN make use of pretty complex joinery, if you want them
>> to.
>>
>> Whatever you choose ... it SHOULD require the purchase of a new tool,
>> though.
>
>
>Those are good suggestions to build.
>
>However, I do not agree with the last statement. The biggest reason
>is that I do not necessarily have the extra cash laying around,
>especially since I have a kid starting college in a couple weeks and
>another one ready to go in another couple years, so I will be "poor"
>for a while. :o)
It was probably made half in jest, but I'm on his side. ;-) Whenever I do a
project around the house I buy the tools needed to do it right, even if I only
plan on using them once (and it never works out that way). I can save more by
DIY than the tools cost.
>Another reason I do not agree is that I don't think you really "need"
>all those additional tools.
Blasphemy!
>Somebody said it best within this thread
>that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxury
>of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. I
>*do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanley
>planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking
>gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have.
That's an argument for Neander vs. Norm. OTOH, I'm more of a Tim. ;-)
>Maybe I am way wrong (again!!) but I think it is more what you do and
>how you do it rather than what tools you may have. It would be nice
>to have all those cool tools but I am probably better off learning how
>to use the ones I have already than to add to the arsenal.
To each. I don't feature doing mortices by hand. Dovetails? You gotta be
kidding me.
>Basically, that is the real meat behind this question: what kinds of
>things should I start building that would be practical and will help
>me get better. I think it is probably a common thing that people go
>out and buy a new tool without learning how to fully use the ones they
>already have. In fact, I am willing to bet that many times, a new
>tool is not really necessary and other tools can do what you want to
>do. It may not be easy and sometimes, I bet, it is really difficult.
>I wonder how much money we all spend to get a cool new tool that is a
>one-trick pony and is used infrequently (although, it is nice to have
>whenever the need arises).
Tools are my only vise (no decent vices, though). My real-retirement (I've
already done it once ;) plans include a lot of woodworking. I have a very good
income, plus retirement income, and I'm at the point in my life where expenses
are going down, so can easily afford tools. I like working with them, so they
get bought while I can. Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how to get
the most out of yet. That's the fun; learning.
On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:58:58 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy <[email protected]>
wrote:
>On Aug 2, 8:49 pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>> On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:17:00 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >On Aug 2, 7:09 pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
>> >wrote:
>> >> I like working with them, so they
>> >> get bought while I can. Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how to get
>> >> the most out of yet. That's the fun; learning.
>>
>> >I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as
>> >a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your
>> >favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule!
>>
>> Haven't brought myself to the point of making that leap. Yet. You @$$#%@@
>> hooked me on a couple of FesteringTools, though. I'm hoping to "get by" with
>> a MorticePal.
>
>*wringing my hands with diabolical glee*
<mutter-mumble-mutter>
>I bought a box of 1000 dowels a few years ago. I used them all. A 'one-
>hole' Stanley dowel jig and super-sharp drill bits. Brad points. So a
>Domino is a natural jump, because you can't always use cookies......
>and there is this guy in this newsgroup who has published a few shots
>of a chair he made....and I'm challenged....and I now have the time.
That's why I went for the MorticePal. Someone here talked it up and it looked
pretty good for the money. ...and there was a sale on the accessories, so I
just *had* to save money. I needed a plunge router to go with it, so hello #1
FesteringTool.
On Sun, 1 Aug 2010 06:55:31 -0700 (PDT), busbus <[email protected]>
wrote the following:
>On Aug 1, 9:53 am, Megan Kinzler <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Thanks for all the suggestions.
>>
>> busbus
>
>OOPS!!!!!
>
>My daughter was logged in and I replied using her information. Sorry
>about that!!!!!!
That's OK.
I was thinking of asking her if she wanted some candy, but that might
not be entirely appropriate. <snort>
--
To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.
-- Confucius
On Jul 30, 9:32=A0pm, busbus <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello,
>
who really cares if that part doesn't fit so well."
Who cares? You cares - or should. Really, the shop layout and
accouterments should offer you practice in as fine a woodworking as
you are able. I learned and practiced various techniques building
boxes to hold my precious and semi-precious tools using whatever wood
I had and found along the way. More often than not, each was made of a
collection of wood species and, yes, even some bits of hardboard,
plywood or particle board.
Boxes that were designed only to hold that one tool and keep it high,
dry and sawdust free while not looking too bad upon the shelf. Yes, I
finished each - had to learn that, too.
Shelving is another area that would provide opportunities to hone your
skills. And, then, nifty parts boxes to hold all that crap you're
holding onto for a project well-intended if not ready to build today.
The wood species is relatively immaterial. Over time, you'll likely
"find" a piece of this or a scrap of that so as to experience several
varieties as you go.
Oh, yes, little gifties are great. Give someone the bird (feeder) you
designed, built and finished yourself. Last year Lowes was selling
miniature (3.5"??) "Vise Grip" knockoffs for a buck ninety-eight. I
used the router to create a cavity in some scrap Walnut and made
little boxes that just fit the tiny tools and gave them to neighbors I
like.
Big Projects are just lots of little projects well-hung together.
On Aug 1, 9:53=A0am, Megan Kinzler <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> All great advice. =A0You guys pegged me good: I need to work on my
> patience! =A0I ain't got none.
Well, for most people, the things they have the patience for the
things they enjoy. I get lost in time when I'm working on a project.
I forget to eat, etc. But, if I am not enjoying what I am doing I
have zilch in the way of patience.
> What I meant by "over and over" was the same sort of thing: like when
> somebody suggested that I make drawers. =A0That would be doing the same
> thing over and over again. =A0Good advice.
I would suggest that doing something over and over is a good way to
suck the fun out of it. By that I mean just practicing dovetails can
get old unless they're part of something that you really want to make.
> I personally would like to build bigger things like cabinets or
> something like that. =A0I guess I could build cabinets for the garage:
> one for my drill press, maybe a router table (even though I do have
> one of those small, pre-made tables already), or even put several
> together to make a decent workbench.
Building cabinet boxes can be as easy or as difficult as you'd like,
so sure, that's a good place to start. If you customize your
workspace you'll enjoy the work more.
> I was wondering about starting to use hardwood because I thought that
> maybe my results could possibly be better. =A0I have tried making hand
> cut dovetails and have done alright but i have trouble cleaning out
> the waste and I thought that maybe it was because the pine I was using
> was soft and, well, stringy (sort of). =A0I thought maybe the hardwood
> would clean up better. =A0I am probably 1000% wrong but I have no clue.
Well, not that bad - you're only off by 180 degrees. Dovetails in
hardwoods are less forgiving. Pine will smoosh a bit and allow the
joint to go together, hardwood will split to tell you the fit is too
tight.
> Making jigs is also a great idea because that, in of itself, will
> force me to become more patient because if the jig is off, then it
> will be of no use. =A0I guess in addition to patience, I will need to
> work on my anger management skills because I am sure I am going to get
> frustrated to hell and back trying to get the jigs to be perfectly
> accurate!
Why are you programming yourself to be frustrated and impatient?
> Oh, as far as learning how to sharpen chisels, I think I have got that
> one down. =A0I have played with the Scary Sharp method to clean up some
> old chisels that were given to me and it worked really well. =A0I have
> found that it is faster and easier to sharpen freehand than playing
> around with jigs. =A0I had bought one and the person who gave me her
> father's old chisels included one he had and neither worked as well as
> nothing. =A0Plus using noting was a whole lot faster. =A0It seems awful
> strnage to me but I actually had a lot of fun sharpening those
> chisels.
Yep, I love sharpening things. When I'm over at someone's house it's
almost guaranteed that I'll start sharpening their kitchen knives. I
just like doing it. Scary Sharp works great, but I like my Japanese
water stones. It's just more satisfying for some reason.
R
On Aug 2, 7:09=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> =A0I like working with them, so they
> get bought while I can. =A0Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how t=
o get
> the most out of yet. =A0That's the fun; learning.
I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as
a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your
favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule!
On Aug 2, 8:31=A0pm, busbus <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Aug 2, 7:09=A0pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> > >Somebody said it best within this thread
> > >that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxury
> > >of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. =
=A0I
> > >*do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanley
> > >planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking
> > >gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have.
>
> > That's an argument for Neander vs. Norm. =A0OTOH, I'm more of a Tim. =
=A0;-)
>
> I am starting to think I am more of a Neaderthal. I guess! =A0I have
> played with hand cut dovetails and even though they sort of look like
> a three-year-old cut some of them, I really liked it. =A0I think I like
> the PROCESS the most. =A0I love the quiet, too. =A0It was just relaxing.
> Does that make me a neander? =A0Maybe it does...I haven't really, really
> thought about that before but maybe you are on to something...
>
Now that I have distanced myself from "Bigger, Better, Faster' type of
thinking, I have found myself in the delicate balance of using modern
day technology to achieve old world results.
To wit:
I have bought a set of scraper blades >>>> so I can remove,
delicately, the machining marks from my cnc. That cnc is really
nothing more than a 'roughing' machine. It gives me a chunk of wood
that then needs to be coddled, scraped, fondled in neanderthal ways.
Then finished with BLO and waxes and shit.
On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:17:00 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy <[email protected]>
wrote:
>On Aug 2, 7:09 pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>> I like working with them, so they
>> get bought while I can. Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how to get
>> the most out of yet. That's the fun; learning.
>
>I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as
>a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your
>favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule!
Haven't brought myself to the point of making that leap. Yet. You @$$#%@@
hooked me on a couple of FesteringTools, though. I'm hoping to "get by" with
a MorticePal.
On Jul 31, 1:33=A0pm, RicodJour <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Jul 30, 9:32=A0pm, busbus <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hello,
>
> > Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. =A0It's don=
e
> > now.
>
> > I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end
> > in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a
> > release. =A0The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything
> > really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things
> > over and over again but...what? =A0I know I need to get A LOT better
> > with joints, almost all joints! =A0I can make them but they don't fit
> > together perfectly and that irritates me.
>
> > I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say,
> > "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't
> > fit so well." =A0Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
> > cheap stuff? =A0Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
> > things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
>
> > Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? =A0Boxes of some
> > sort, maybe? =A0Picture frames?
>
> > I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
> > $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
> > sharing with another friend. =A0I work out of a half a garage and push
> > everything against the wall. =A0I don't know if any of this makes a
> > difference or not.
>
> Make over and over again...? =A0Why? =A0Are you hoping to go into
> production?
>
> It really doesn't matter all that much what you make, as long as you
> learn from your mistakes, exercise your patience, and _enjoy_ what
> you're making. =A0No one here can answer what pleases you.
>
> There are lots of, ahem, branches to woodworking and they are very
> different animals. =A0Some people love fussy work such as chip carving,
> others like building large items like kitchen cabinets. =A0What triggers
> your 'man, that's sweet, I'd like to make/own one of those' reaction?
> When you find something that just begs to be made, that's what you
> should make.
>
> The other factor is what will you do with the stuff you make. =A0Will
> you keep the stuff, furnish your house, give them away as gifts? =A0If
> it's gifts, something small is best, of course. =A0If there is a SWMBO
> in the picture, you'll get your orders from on high. =A0;)
>
> R
All great advice. You guys pegged me good: I need to work on my
patience! I ain't got none.
What I meant by "over and over" was the same sort of thing: like when
somebody suggested that I make drawers. That would be doing the same
thing over and over again. Good advice.
I personally would like to build bigger things like cabinets or
something like that. I guess I could build cabinets for the garage:
one for my drill press, maybe a router table (even though I do have
one of those small, pre-made tables already), or even put several
together to make a decent workbench.
I was wondering about starting to use hardwood because I thought that
maybe my results could possibly be better. I have tried making hand
cut dovetails and have done alright but i have trouble cleaning out
the waste and I thought that maybe it was because the pine I was using
was soft and, well, stringy (sort of). I thought maybe the hardwood
would clean up better. I am probably 1000% wrong but I have no clue.
Making jigs is also a great idea because that, in of itself, will
force me to become more patient because if the jig is off, then it
will be of no use. I guess in addition to patience, I will need to
work on my anger management skills because I am sure I am going to get
frustrated to hell and back trying to get the jigs to be perfectly
accurate!
Oh, as far as learning how to sharpen chisels, I think I have got that
one down. I have played with the Scary Sharp method to clean up some
old chisels that were given to me and it worked really well. I have
found that it is faster and easier to sharpen freehand than playing
around with jigs. I had bought one and the person who gave me her
father's old chisels included one he had and neither worked as well as
nothing. Plus using noting was a whole lot faster. It seems awful
strnage to me but I actually had a lot of fun sharpening those
chisels.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
busbus
"busbus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello,
>
> Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done
> now.
>
> I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end
> in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a
> release. The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything
> really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things
> over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better
> with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit
> together perfectly and that irritates me.
>
> I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say,
> "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't
> fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
> cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
> things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
>
> Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some
> sort, maybe? Picture frames?
>
> I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
> $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
> sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push
> everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a
> difference or not.
>
> Thanks,
> busbus
Allow yourself to succeed. Do something Small. See "Building Small Projects
(New Best of Fine Woodworking)" or "Woodworking Basics: Mastering the
Essentials of Craftsmanship".
"Larry Jaques" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus <[email protected]>
> wrote the following:
>
>>Hello,
>>
>>Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done
>>now.
>
> You were this || close to being plonked, buddy.
>
>
>>I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end
>>in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a
>>release. The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything
>>really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things
>>over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better
>>with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit
>>together perfectly and that irritates me.
>
> Yeah, smaller things are easier on the pocketbook to toss after a
> learning experience. Lee Valley had an old woodwork training book
> (from 1917) which might interest you. _Projects for Woodwork Training_
> Galoots Rule!
>
>
>>I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say,
>>"Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't
>>fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
>>cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
>>things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
>
> Yes, for pity's sake, use real wood. Jummywood and termite barf ain't
> fit for nuttin' but the fireplace. <gd&r>
>
>
>>Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some
>>sort, maybe? Picture frames?
>
> Jigs, boxes, small tables, whatever catches your fancy. If you make
> something others want, when they start turning out nicely, you can
> sell them and recoup your original losses.
>
>
>>I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
>>$75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
>>sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push
>>everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a
>>difference or not.
>
> Pick up a set of Marples Blue Chips and learn how to use them, too.
> http://fwd4.me/Esv
And learn to sharpen them.
Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
> "Bill" <[email protected]> wrote
>> If you would like to challenge your patience,
>> try ice-fishing (and I mean "shanty-less" ice fishing!).
>
> I don't see how it challenges your patience. Sanity, yes. Sensibility,
> yes. Common sense, yes. You have to lack those three things to go out on
> frozen water in the middle of winter just to fish.
The only thing you can be assured of is a hearty appetite after you're
through. Unless you are unusually lucky, beef stew or the like.
Personally, I've never been the leader of an ice-fishing expedition,
just one of the innocent-bystanders.
Bill
busbus wrote:
> On Aug 1, 9:53 am, Megan Kinzler <[email protected]> wrote:
...
>> I was wondering about starting to use hardwood because I thought that
>> maybe my results could possibly be better. I have tried making hand
>> cut dovetails and have done alright but i have trouble cleaning out
>> the waste and I thought that maybe it was because the pine I was using
>> was soft and, well, stringy (sort of). I thought maybe the hardwood
>> would clean up better. I am probably 1000% wrong but I have no clue.
...
>> Oh, as far as learning how to sharpen chisels, I think I have got that
>> one down. I have played with the Scary Sharp method to clean up some
>> old chisels that were given to me and it worked really well. I have
>> found that it is faster and easier to sharpen freehand than playing
>> around with jigs. I had bought one and the person who gave me her
>> father's old chisels included one he had and neither worked as well as
>> nothing. Plus using noting was a whole lot faster. It seems awful
>> strnage to me but I actually had a lot of fun sharpening those
>> chisels.
...
> OOPS!!!!!
>
> My daughter was logged in and I replied using her information. Sorry
> about that!!!!!!
I'd suggest the difficulty indicates the chisels, while sharper than out
of the box, are not optimally sharp yet or they would slice even pine
end grain smoothly w/o tearing.
One thing I'd wonder about w/ the combination of freehand and sandpaper
method (in conjunction w/ your admitted lack of patience :) ) would be
whether actually did truly flatten the backs of the chisels sufficiently
to get that perfect bevel-forming straight line that the edge is formed
against. Particularly as I've had some difficulty in that regards in
the paper wanting to roll instead of staying put if try the loose method.
Just a thought...oh, can you pare a continuous thin shaving off of pine
end grain the width of the chisel? If not, it isn't yet really, really
sharp...
$0.01, fwiw, imo, etc., etc, etc., ...
--
On Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:53:21 -0700, Megan Kinzler wrote:
> I personally would like to build bigger things like cabinets or
> something like that. I guess I could build cabinets for the garage: one
> for my drill press, maybe a router table (even though I do have one of
> those small, pre-made tables already), or even put several together to
> make a decent workbench.
Well, if you really want a learning challenge, look up "Wooton Patent
Desk" :-).
http://www.wootondesks.com/
--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw
On 7/31/2010 1:13 AM, Bill wrote:
>
>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Woodworkers and sailors have something in common, patience.
>>>
>>
>
> But lots of salespeople at Rockler and WoodCraft seem to assume
> that they don't. If you would like to challenge your patience,
> try ice-fishing (and I mean "shanty-less" ice fishing!).
I dunno where he learned the skills--possibly at sea, possibly in the
school of hard Japs--but my father was quite capable of, for his own
amusement, sitting still long enough for a wild (as in way out in the
country--not city-park) squirrel or a bird to decide to walk up to him
and take a sunflower seed out of his hand. I never developed that kind
of patience.
"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Just a thought...oh, can you pare a continuous thin shaving off of pine
> end grain the width of the chisel? If not, it isn't yet really, really
> sharp...
>
Can you do it ten times in a row with no intermediate sharpening?
Lobby Dosser wrote:
> "dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> Just a thought...oh, can you pare a continuous thin shaving off of
>> pine end grain the width of the chisel? If not, it isn't yet really,
>> really sharp...
>>
>
> Can you do it ten times in a row with no intermediate sharpening?
Think that might depend on which iron...altho I've never tried--once't
then to the real job is the limit of _my_ patience... :)
--
"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Lobby Dosser wrote:
>> "dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> Just a thought...oh, can you pare a continuous thin shaving off of pine
>>> end grain the width of the chisel? If not, it isn't yet really, really
>>> sharp...
>>>
>>
>> Can you do it ten times in a row with no intermediate sharpening?
>
> Think that might depend on which iron...altho I've never tried--once't
> then to the real job is the limit of _my_ patience... :)
>
> --
LOL!
On 8/3/2010 9:33 PM, Puckdropper wrote:
> busbus<[email protected]> wrote in news:97f9b4ae-5495-41e4-bc13-
> [email protected]:
>
>>
>> Holy heck!! A Domino?! That is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay outta my league!
>
> Dominos would be perfect for your purpose! Plane stock, rip to width, and
> then cut to length. For more of a challenge, make smaller dominoes with
> the bumps in them.
>
> You've got to have 81 of them (double 9) to play, so there's lots of
> practice to be had.
Dominos and a box to hold them are one of the projects in the Incra Jig
book--he can get the book, and for 35 bucks he can get the baby Incra
from Rockler, then he can build a router table to hold it . . .
"Hoosierpopi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:c427c726-08c1-468d-b2bd-5822b2c5f257@f42g2000yqn.googlegroups.com...
On Jul 30, 9:32 pm, busbus <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello,
>
who really cares if that part doesn't fit so well."
Who cares? You cares - or should. Really, the shop layout and
accouterments should offer you practice in as fine a woodworking as
you are able. I learned and practiced various techniques building
boxes to hold my precious and semi-precious tools using whatever wood
I had and found along the way. More often than not, each was made of a
collection of wood species and, yes, even some bits of hardboard,
plywood or particle board.
Boxes that were designed only to hold that one tool and keep it high,
dry and sawdust free while not looking too bad upon the shelf. Yes, I
finished each - had to learn that, too.
Shelving is another area that would provide opportunities to hone your
skills. And, then, nifty parts boxes to hold all that crap you're
holding onto for a project well-intended if not ready to build today.
The wood species is relatively immaterial. Over time, you'll likely
"find" a piece of this or a scrap of that so as to experience several
varieties as you go.
Oh, yes, little gifties are great. Give someone the bird (feeder) you
designed, built and finished yourself. Last year Lowes was selling
miniature (3.5"??) "Vise Grip" knockoffs for a buck ninety-eight. I
used the router to create a cavity in some scrap Walnut and made
little boxes that just fit the tiny tools and gave them to neighbors I
like.
Big Projects are just lots of little projects well-hung together.
Good ideas Hoosierpopi, as I recall having problems keeping my tools
organized. My need to organize and store led me to build my first cabinets
as a younger carpenter. Honestly, they were not properly built as I didn't
have any good mentors, or I failed to seek out help -arrogance is not such a
good thing :-(
I built some tool storage cabinets that were too large to move (should have
sectioned them). I used some crappy drawer slides that didn't work well in
the long term. Cost was a big item so I used A-boy Fir and CD plywood. I
had no cloo about building raised panel anything, so I just put plywood
doors and drawer fronts on everything.
I had only one contractor table saw, a "skil saw", one small router, one
stapler, one B&D "ScruGun", and a 10" Makita miter saw. And of course some
hand tools (not many). BTW, when I was working around other framers, they
thought I was rich cuz I had tools they didn't have!
But every shop, home or industrial, needs proper tool/supplies storage.
Some bigger shops are not so well organized, and others have taken time to
use their trade to get their acts together because it is more efficient
generally easier.
With the help of the internet and woodworking groups, it is now much easier
to find information on what you want to do. You can also find local help at
cabinet shops where some might be more than willing to guide you if you have
a problem. (hobby shops like woodcraft will gladly guide you into buying a
tool but most who work there haven't done more than craft stuff).
The main thing is to have fun, isn't it?
Have a good day,
woodstuff
On 8/2/2010 8:11 PM, Robatoy wrote:
> On Aug 2, 8:58 pm, Robatoy<[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Aug 2, 8:49 pm, "[email protected]"<[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:17:00 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy<[email protected]>
>>> wrote:
>>
>>>> On Aug 2, 7:09 pm, "[email protected]"<[email protected]>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> I like working with them, so they
>>>>> get bought while I can. Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how to get
>>>>> the most out of yet. That's the fun; learning.
>>
>>>> I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as
>>>> a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your
>>>> favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule!
>>
>>> Haven't brought myself to the point of making that leap. Yet. You @$$#%@@
>>> hooked me on a couple of FesteringTools, though. I'm hoping to "get by" with
>>> a MorticePal.
>>
>> *wringing my hands with diabolical glee*
>>
>> I bought a box of 1000 dowels a few years ago. I used them all. A 'one-
>> hole' Stanley dowel jig and super-sharp drill bits. Brad points. So a
>> Domino is a natural jump, because you can't always use cookies......
>> and there is this guy in this newsgroup who has published a few shots
>> of a chair he made....and I'm challenged....and I now have the time.
>
> That'd be ST... you know who you are..... (a response to a few
> requests off-line)
That'd be me I guess... Made four of 'em actually, with enough wood waiting in
the wings for about four more... as soon as I can find the time! Workin' on
some drums right now though; gotta get those outa the way first. Those
interested in the aforementioned pics can find 'em here (somewhere):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/sets/
--
"Our beer goes through thousands of quality Czechs every day."
(From a Shiner Bock billboard I saw in Austin some years ago)
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/
On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:23:31 -0700, "Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>"Mike Marlow" wrote:
>
>> I don't know about sailors but where the hell did it ever say in the
>> rule book that woodworkers had to have patience? Damn it - I hate
>> it when I miss this stuff...
>-----------------------------
>You either learn patience of have a fat wallet.
Well, I walk into Woodcraft with a fat wallet.
On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
>cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
>things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
I used to use "cheap" pine too, but once you use hardwoods you'll
prefer them.
>Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some
>sort, maybe? Picture frames?
Make small things: keepsake boxes, jewelry boxes, beach sand
collection boxes, chests, chest-of-drawers (I made one that I use to
store batteries), remote control stands, &tc.
-Zz
Larry Jaques wrote:
> On Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:51:23 -0400, "Mike Marlow"
> <[email protected]> wrote the following:
>
>>Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Woodworkers and sailors have something in common, patience.
>>>
>>
>>I don't know about sailors but where the hell did it ever say in the rule
>>book that woodworkers had to have patience? Damn it - I hate it when I
>>miss this stuff...
>
> I'm wondering the same thing.
>
I want patience, and I want it right now!
> --
> Instant Gratification Takes Too Long!
> -------------------------------------
--
There is never a situation where having more rounds is a disadvantage
Rob Leatham
On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus <[email protected]>
wrote the following:
>Hello,
>
>Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done
>now.
You were this || close to being plonked, buddy.
>I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end
>in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a
>release. The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything
>really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things
>over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better
>with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit
>together perfectly and that irritates me.
Yeah, smaller things are easier on the pocketbook to toss after a
learning experience. Lee Valley had an old woodwork training book
(from 1917) which might interest you. _Projects for Woodwork Training_
Galoots Rule!
>I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say,
>"Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't
>fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the
>cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building
>things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot.
Yes, for pity's sake, use real wood. Jummywood and termite barf ain't
fit for nuttin' but the fireplace. <gd&r>
>Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some
>sort, maybe? Picture frames?
Jigs, boxes, small tables, whatever catches your fancy. If you make
something others want, when they start turning out nicely, you can
sell them and recoup your original losses.
>I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for
>$75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am
>sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push
>everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a
>difference or not.
Pick up a set of Marples Blue Chips and learn how to use them, too.
http://fwd4.me/Esv
--
To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.
-- Confucius
On 8/1/2010 11:37 AM, busbus wrote:
> On Aug 1, 12:02 pm, Larry Blanchard<[email protected]> wrote:
>> Well, if you really want a learning challenge, look up "Wooton Patent
>> Desk" :-).
>>
>> http://www.wootondesks.com/
>>
>
>
> :o)
>
> LOL. I think I will block out a couple weekends to build this. It
> really looks easy!
I'd just buy a 50's jukebox and be done with it ...
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)
On Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:51:23 -0400, "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> wrote the following:
>Lew Hodgett wrote:
>
>>
>> Woodworkers and sailors have something in common, patience.
>>
>
>I don't know about sailors but where the hell did it ever say in the rule
>book that woodworkers had to have patience? Damn it - I hate it when I miss
>this stuff...
I'm wondering the same thing.
--
Instant Gratification Takes Too Long!
-------------------------------------
On Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:37:44 -0700, Mark & Juanita
<[email protected]> wrote the following:
>Larry Jaques wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:51:23 -0400, "Mike Marlow"
>> <[email protected]> wrote the following:
>>
>>>Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Woodworkers and sailors have something in common, patience.
>>>>
>>>
>>>I don't know about sailors but where the hell did it ever say in the rule
>>>book that woodworkers had to have patience? Damn it - I hate it when I
>>>miss this stuff...
>>
>> I'm wondering the same thing.
>>
>
> I want patience, and I want it right now!
>
>> --
>> Instant Gratification Takes Too Long!
>> -------------------------------------
Speaking of patience, does anyone have any thoughts on the new Griz
G0715 saurs and G7314Z mobile bases? Ol' Dina is getting long in the
tooth (there's a 1" gap at her mouth; zero clearance wasn't heard of
in those days) so I'm thinking of sending her to a new home.
I may get a Makita SP6000K for panels, so I won't need (hah!) gigantic
fence rails, outtables, etc.
--
To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.
-- Confucius