Well, I've learned a TON in the last few days. I've a dozen books on hold
at the library and a half dozen magazines and catalogues to look at. I'm
still a little fuzzy on what "big" tools I need, which portable tools I
could use in lieu of a stationary tool (mostly for cost considerations), and
which hand tools to get. Could somebody kindly post a quick list of which
tools serve which purpose. Here's an example of what I'd like to know:
Say I find a plan for something really simple, like some plans for a 9-piece
console table that (according to Popular Mechanics) can be assembled with
some relatively inexpensive portable power tools and mostly hand tools. If
I want to buy stock, how do I select "good" lumber? How big should the
pieces be? Do I just show up at Lowe's with a stock list and say, "Fill 'er
up, please?" Once I get my stock home, how long should I let it acclimate
to my environment? Once that's done, what are the steps to prepare the
boards for working? As far as I've gathered, you run it through a thickness
planer and a joiner I think? The books I've read all are still just a step
beyond. They give instructions like, "Thickness plane the stock." Were it
up to me, I'd run the board through once and be done, but then another book
discussed the second and third planes.
I know absolutely NOTHING at this point, and all of the materials I've found
are assuming I know fundamental things already. I think I may need to delay
until I can take some classes. I need some instruction as if it were being
given to somebody who hasn't even HEARD of this thing called "wood" before,
because I haven't even learned much jargon yet.
So - can anybody suggest a good source of material? I'm eager to soak up
some more knowledge, since the classes I'm taking won't be available for a
month or two yet. I'd also like to start acclimating myself to the tools
and what they are used for and how they're used and start compiling a list
of things to research for purchasing.
Thank you all!
Ernie Jurick wrote:
> "tnfkajs" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>
>>Buy inexpensive materials first. You'll be amazed at the mistakes you'll
>>make! I've still got projects that I have absolutely no earthly idea how
>>one shelf ended up at 5 1/8" instead of 5 5/8ths...
>
>
> LOL! I'm still trying to figure out how the front overhang on my workbench
> wound up in back.
> -- Ernie
>
>
My first project is actually going to be more carpentry than wood
working: we're building two walls in my basement to actually wall off my
woodshop space. I've got a track record as a home improvement disaster
and my wife weeps when I get out the hedge trimmer. I expect to share,
repeatedly, in these kinds of mishaps.
How else does one learn?
On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 16:58:37 GMT, Ben Siders <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I've got a track record as a home improvement disaster
>and my wife weeps when I get out the hedge trimmer. I expect to share,
>repeatedly, in these kinds of mishaps.
"Benjamin Siders" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:BB4A085D.B28%[email protected]...
> still a little fuzzy on what "big" tools I need, which portable tools I
> could use in lieu of a stationary tool (mostly for cost considerations),
and
> which hand tools to get. Could somebody kindly post a quick list of which
As a newbie myself - I think you'll want to *invest* in a good table saw. If
not your first big-stationary-tool purchase, it's on the Top 3 list. Hand
tools include router, drill, sander, jigsaw, plane. Benchtop tools could
be: drill press, thickness planer, etc.
> Say I find a plan for something really simple, like some plans for a
9-piece
> console table that (according to Popular Mechanics) can be assembled with
> some relatively inexpensive portable power tools and mostly hand tools.
If
Getting things "same and square" has been my number on challenge. In the
beginning, no matter how hard I tried my corners were never 90 degrees and
my parts would vary by an 1/4th inch over 48". After about a year, I'm done
to a delta of 1/32nd of an inch over 48". Better but still bad enough to
cause some unsightly gaps!
The only thing that helps (I believe) is practice, practice, practice!
> I want to buy stock, how do I select "good" lumber? How big should the
> pieces be?
Buy inexpensive materials first. You'll be amazed at the mistakes you'll
make! I've still got projects that I have absolutely no earthly idea how
one shelf ended up at 5 1/8" instead of 5 5/8ths...
Also if you start practicing with materials like MDF - you'll have stock
with a edge (or four) square reference edge.
Or find projects that you can assemble from 2x4, 4x4 lumber. Have you built
your workbench yet?
> Do I just show up at Lowe's with a stock list and say, "Fill 'er
> up, please?"
Lowe's and HD will annoy you quickly. The good wood they stock is very
expensive. And their dimensional lumber (2x4...) is mostly crap. You'll
spend an hour sorting thru the pile for some straight boards. Your best bet
is to find a hardwood dealer in your area.
> Once I get my stock home, how long should I let it acclimate
> to my environment?
If its construction lumber from Lowes, let it sit for a couple of weeks. I
just can't find straight 2x4's at our Home Depot, so I buy their 2x10's and
rip the straight stock out of the middle. Still pretty cheap for
practicing.
> Once that's done, what are the steps to prepare the
> boards for working? As far as I've gathered, you run it through a
thickness
> planer and a joiner I think?
JoinTer. Thickness planer's are (IMHO) Tier II tools for a newbie. They
take some experience to use well and you can buy S3S / S4S wood. I figure,
you've got other skills to master, so hold off on learning about planers for
a little while.
Jointers are Tier III, in my humble opinion. The inexpensive ones are very
limited, the expensive ones are big and heavy. And they too take practice to
get acceptable, repeatable results from.
If you can't find classes - hit the bookstore and look for "Weekend
Projects" and "Furniture from 2x4's" books. Then buy some inexpensive wood
and start practicing!!!
"Ben Siders" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ernie Jurick wrote:
> > "tnfkajs" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
>
> My first project is actually going to be more carpentry than wood
> working: we're building two walls in my basement to actually wall off my
> woodshop space.
Then put a nice Compound Miter Saw on your "buy" list.
Oh boy, religious war time! There are almost as many opinions as
there are woodworkers. In the end, what tools you "need" depends on
what you want to build, how much effort you want to put into it, how
much money you want to to put in to it, the space you have, and on and
on.
Personally, I would stay away from the box stores (Lowes, Menards,
Home Depot) to buy lumber. On the other hand, you can go in with the
plans and say 'gimme what I need'.
Buying lumber this way, you will not need to worry about planing it.
Jointing should not be necessary either.
See if you can find another woodworker to talk to close to you. Look
for Community Education classes.
Depending on what you want to build, a table saw is probably going to
be the center of your shop - don't skimp. Get a good router (variable
speed, colletts for both 1/2 and 1/4 inch bits). You will need a
sander, a random orbit will probably serve best. Gotta have a drill -
3/8 will do for most things. Hand tools -- A few chisels (set of four
to start), a sanding block, screwdrivers, rubber mallet.....
Then -- BE SURE TO GET EYE AND EAR PROTECTION AND USE THEM ALL THE
TIME!!!!
Always think safety when in the shop.
Now, ask some specific questions. A general attempt to teach you
everything will go on for days. Be ready for conflicting opinions on
tools and techniques. You will have to develop your own style. Start
out simple and learn to fix mistakes (which you'll make plenty of
sorry to say).
Woodchip
Benjamin Siders <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<BB4A085D.B28%[email protected]>...
> Well, I've learned a TON in the last few days. I've a dozen books on hold
> at the library and a half dozen magazines and catalogues to look at. I'm
> still a little fuzzy on what "big" tools I need, which portable tools I
> could use in lieu of a stationary tool (mostly for cost considerations), and
> which hand tools to get. Could somebody kindly post a quick list of which
> tools serve which purpose. Here's an example of what I'd like to know:
>
> Say I find a plan for something really simple, like some plans for a 9-piece
> console table that (according to Popular Mechanics) can be assembled with
> some relatively inexpensive portable power tools and mostly hand tools. If
> I want to buy stock, how do I select "good" lumber? How big should the
> pieces be? Do I just show up at Lowe's with a stock list and say, "Fill 'er
> up, please?" Once I get my stock home, how long should I let it acclimate
> to my environment? Once that's done, what are the steps to prepare the
> boards for working? As far as I've gathered, you run it through a thickness
> planer and a joiner I think? The books I've read all are still just a step
> beyond. They give instructions like, "Thickness plane the stock." Were it
> up to me, I'd run the board through once and be done, but then another book
> discussed the second and third planes.
>
> I know absolutely NOTHING at this point, and all of the materials I've found
> are assuming I know fundamental things already. I think I may need to delay
> until I can take some classes. I need some instruction as if it were being
> given to somebody who hasn't even HEARD of this thing called "wood" before,
> because I haven't even learned much jargon yet.
>
> So - can anybody suggest a good source of material? I'm eager to soak up
> some more knowledge, since the classes I'm taking won't be available for a
> month or two yet. I'd also like to start acclimating myself to the tools
> and what they are used for and how they're used and start compiling a list
> of things to research for purchasing.
>
> Thank you all!
"Paul Andersen" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Oh boy, religious war time!
You forgot to issue a fatwa against infidels who stain mahogany.... :-)
-- Ernie
>>make! I've still got projects that I have absolutely no earthly idea how
>>one shelf ended up at 5 1/8" instead of 5 5/8ths...
>>
>>
>
>LOL! I'm still trying to figure out how the front overhang on my workbench
>wound up in back.
>-- Ernie
>
>=========================
>
The Roll top desk I made about 10 years ago ended up with two left had
tracks for the top (rolling section) to slide in... who thought of the
fact that the sides had to be mirror images of each other...
I will NEVER forget that mistake... Dumb beginners mistake ( after
almost 25 years in the hobby).....
Bob Griffiths
"tnfkajs" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Buy inexpensive materials first. You'll be amazed at the mistakes you'll
> make! I've still got projects that I have absolutely no earthly idea how
> one shelf ended up at 5 1/8" instead of 5 5/8ths...
LOL! I'm still trying to figure out how the front overhang on my workbench
wound up in back.
-- Ernie