Hi everyone:
If you were completely new to woodworking - all your prior experience was
installing chair rails in a den and building a workbench - what type of wood
would you use to build sewing machine furniture? I'm planning to build
something similar to a corner computer desk with side extensions to
accommodate 3 sewing machines.
Something like this: http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/compdesk1.html
The tools I'll be using are a 7 1/4" electric circular saw, and another one
5 1/2" battery operated. Also a scroll saw, two drills, and a finishing
sander. Of course I have all the other essentials, such as hammers, levels,
and such.
Considering the tools that I have, and especially my very limited
experience, I'm concerned about wasting good wood.
On the other hand, it could turn out to be pretty good and then I would be
sorry not to have used better wood.
What would be a middle ground?
I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
---
Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts
can be counted.
"MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> What would be the appropriate tool, a table saw?
> Any recommendations on the brand?
>
>
Delta Unisaw or a General 350. Probably not in your budget though. How
much do you plan to spend?
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 19:12:38 -0400, "Kevin Singleton"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I would use mahogany. It's easy on the tools, easy to work with, readily
>available, relatively inexpensive, and rather pretty.
>
>Kevin
Gosh, I would not call mahogany inexpensive. Not my neck of the woods
anyway. Cherry is not cheap, but a lot less expensive than mahogany.
But if you can get it for $5 a board foot, go for it!
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > What would be the appropriate tool, a table saw?
> > Any recommendations on the brand?
> >
> >
> Delta Unisaw or a General 350. Probably not in your budget though. How
> much do you plan to spend?
> Ed
Geez Ed, read the OP; he wants to spend as little as possible.
To get a real saw, you have to spend at least $400-$500. All the saws in
that price range are more or less the same. If you feel lucky, you can buy
a used $400 saw for about $200; however you should have someone knowledgable
look at it unless you feel really lucky.
Anything cheaper isn't going to give you the results you need; you might as
well stick to a circular saw. Speaking of which, I use one, with a very
secure cutting guide, for making crosscuts too big for the table saw. It is
really slow, but works. Someday, maybe, I will build a sled.
When I was in Dallas, it was the same price as maple, maybe slightly more,
depending on width and thickness.
Kevin
--
=====
Where are those Iraqi WMDs, NOW?
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Kevin Singleton" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I would use mahogany. It's easy on the tools, easy to work with,
readily
> > available, relatively inexpensive, and rather pretty.
>
>
> Unless he lives in the Houston area, then Mahogany tends to be a much more
> expensive wood that say, Walnut, Soft Maple, Oak, or Cherry.
>
>
"MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Maybe $150 - $200.
>
Used. There is not a worthy new saw made at that price level.
Ed
"Kevin Singleton" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I would use mahogany. It's easy on the tools, easy to work with, readily
> available, relatively inexpensive, and rather pretty.
Unless he lives in the Houston area, then Mahogany tends to be a much more
expensive wood that say, Walnut, Soft Maple, Oak, or Cherry.
I live in Florida.
"B a r r y" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 19:12:38 -0400, "Kevin Singleton"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I would use mahogany. It's easy on the tools, easy to work with, readily
> >available, relatively inexpensive, and rather pretty.
>
> Where do you live?
>
> Here in CT, Mahogany is $3 more than walnut, and almost three times
> the price of oak, ash, birch, and maple.
>
> Barry
>
I would use mahogany. It's easy on the tools, easy to work with, readily
available, relatively inexpensive, and rather pretty.
Kevin
--
=====
Where are those Iraqi WMDs, NOW?
"MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi everyone:
>
> If you were completely new to woodworking - all your prior experience was
> installing chair rails in a den and building a workbench - what type of
wood
> would you use to build sewing machine furniture? I'm planning to build
> something similar to a corner computer desk with side extensions to
> accommodate 3 sewing machines.
> Something like this: http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/compdesk1.html
>
> The tools I'll be using are a 7 1/4" electric circular saw, and another
one
> 5 1/2" battery operated. Also a scroll saw, two drills, and a finishing
> sander. Of course I have all the other essentials, such as hammers,
levels,
> and such.
>
> Considering the tools that I have, and especially my very limited
> experience, I'm concerned about wasting good wood.
>
> On the other hand, it could turn out to be pretty good and then I would be
> sorry not to have used better wood.
>
> What would be a middle ground?
>
> I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
>
> ---
> Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts
> can be counted.
>
>
Maybe $150 - $200.
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > What would be the appropriate tool, a table saw?
> > Any recommendations on the brand?
> >
> >
> Delta Unisaw or a General 350. Probably not in your budget though. How
> much do you plan to spend?
> Ed
> [email protected]
> http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
>
>
>
"MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Hi everyone:
>
> If you were completely new to woodworking - all your prior experience
> was installing chair rails in a den and building a workbench - what
> type of wood would you use to build sewing machine furniture? I'm
> planning to build something similar to a corner computer desk with
> side extensions to accommodate 3 sewing machines.
> Something like this: http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/compdesk1.html
As others have said, plywood is probably your best choice for
something like that. Face the edges with strips of solid wood
of the same or similar species (e.g. if you use oak ply, use oak
for the edging, if you use birch or something similarly light
colored ("blondewood" or "appleply") use maple or poplar). You
may find oak tricky to get a good grain pattern on the edging.
John
MOE,
This is not a slam, I'm just putting your request in context. I saw your
workbench posting on ABPW. It's great start, simple and utilitarian
(completely appririate for what it is).
This is a serious question: do you wish to build furniture, or a sewing
tool, or both?
I suspect that you have a few projects in from of you before you're on to
fine furniture. Wood species is more of an aesthetic choice than anything
else.
Do NOT rule out sheet goods...Cabinet-grade plywood, MDF, melamine for
laminate (formica) over particle board or MDF.
Getting a large flat surface with solid wood can be a challenge for a
newbie. Sheet goods can solve that problem to some degree.
Cheers,
Steve
"MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi everyone:
>
> If you were completely new to woodworking - all your prior experience was
> installing chair rails in a den and building a workbench - what type of
wood
> would you use to build sewing machine furniture? I'm planning to build
> something similar to a corner computer desk with side extensions to
> accommodate 3 sewing machines.
> Something like this: http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/compdesk1.html
>
> The tools I'll be using are a 7 1/4" electric circular saw, and another
one
> 5 1/2" battery operated. Also a scroll saw, two drills, and a finishing
> sander. Of course I have all the other essentials, such as hammers,
levels,
> and such.
>
> Considering the tools that I have, and especially my very limited
> experience, I'm concerned about wasting good wood.
>
> On the other hand, it could turn out to be pretty good and then I would be
> sorry not to have used better wood.
>
> What would be a middle ground?
>
> I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
>
> ---
> Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts
> can be counted.
>
>
"MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Steve:
>
> Not taken as a slam. You got the picture clearly. I appreciate your
> advice.
>
> I began by wanting to build a piece of sewing furniture (sold in the
market
> for about $2K). Then I figured the need for a workbench in order to do
this
> safely and comfortably.
Good job. You are learning well from the wreck.
> Doing the workbench was so enjoyable that it looks
> like I found myself a hobby. Everywhere I look now I look to see how the
> furniture was built. In my house I see so much potential: a window seat,
a
> cd storage cabinet, storage for the garage,
Stop. right there! That one. that's your next project... the garage
storage..... That gives you another place to develop some more skills where
there is a little more wiggle room for "oopses".
>bookcases,
That's a good one too.
>and on and on. It
> looks like I've caught a bug!
> Moe
Moe,
My gut says that the sewing cabinet may be a bit too ambitious. I say that
because I want you to succeed. I would rather see you encouraged by small
successes, than frustrated by biting off a little more than you are ready
for. I always try to do something new on each project: a new finish, use a
new tool, or a construction technique. Build up to it.
Then again I could be completely wrong. You could churn our a masterpiece.
Have fun, make dust.
-Steve
In article <[email protected]>, "MOE"
<[email protected]> wrote:
I am partial to oak. It can be obtained for reasonable costs and it
does not demand high surface finish. Moreover, I would start with
plywood with a good veneer finish rather than working with solid wood.
Your major panels would be the plywood while solid pieces are used for
trim etc.
Dick
> Hi everyone:
>
> If you were completely new to woodworking - all your prior experience was
> installing chair rails in a den and building a workbench - what type of
> wood
> would you use to build sewing machine furniture? I'm planning to build
> something similar to a corner computer desk with side extensions to
> accommodate 3 sewing machines.
> Something like this: http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/compdesk1.html
>
> The tools I'll be using are a 7 1/4" electric circular saw, and another
> one
> 5 1/2" battery operated. Also a scroll saw, two drills, and a finishing
> sander. Of course I have all the other essentials, such as hammers,
> levels,
> and such.
>
> Considering the tools that I have, and especially my very limited
> experience, I'm concerned about wasting good wood.
>
> On the other hand, it could turn out to be pretty good and then I would
> be
> sorry not to have used better wood.
>
> What would be a middle ground?
>
> I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
>
> ---
> Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts
> can be counted.
>
>
"MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I have made perfectly nice bookcases out of pine.
> > If you want to go a step up, maybe ash or soft maple.
> >
> > Poplar is cheap, but I would rather use pine.
> >
> > You are going to have a heck of a time getting everything square with a
> just
> > a circular saw; but it can be done if you are careful enough.
>
>
> What would be the appropriate tool, a table saw?
> Any recommendations on the brand?
For a small budget I'd recommend a low-angle block plane to clean
up the saw marks on your cuts. You can also straighten out
slightly crooked cuts, bevel edges, block in pieces that are
a tad oversized etc.
--
FF
On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 19:12:38 -0400, "Kevin Singleton"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I would use mahogany. It's easy on the tools, easy to work with, readily
>available, relatively inexpensive, and rather pretty.
Where do you live?
Here in CT, Mahogany is $3 more than walnut, and almost three times
the price of oak, ash, birch, and maple.
Barry
I'm in Pennsylvania, now, but I haven't had to buy any wood, yet. Anyone
know a good supplier in western Pennsylvania?
Kevin
--
=====
Where are those Iraqi WMDs, NOW?
"B a r r y" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 19:12:38 -0400, "Kevin Singleton"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I would use mahogany. It's easy on the tools, easy to work with, readily
> >available, relatively inexpensive, and rather pretty.
>
> Where do you live?
>
> Here in CT, Mahogany is $3 more than walnut, and almost three times
> the price of oak, ash, birch, and maple.
>
> Barry
On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 22:48:46 GMT, "MOE" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Hi everyone:
>
>If you were completely new to woodworking - all your prior experience was
>installing chair rails in a den and building a workbench - what type of wood
>would you use to build sewing machine furniture? I'm planning to build
>something similar to a corner computer desk with side extensions to
>accommodate 3 sewing machines.
>Something like this: http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/compdesk1.html
>
>The tools I'll be using are a 7 1/4" electric circular saw, and another one
>5 1/2" battery operated. Also a scroll saw, two drills, and a finishing
>sander. Of course I have all the other essentials, such as hammers, levels,
>and such.
>
>Considering the tools that I have, and especially my very limited
>experience, I'm concerned about wasting good wood.
>
>On the other hand, it could turn out to be pretty good and then I would be
>sorry not to have used better wood.
>
>What would be a middle ground?
>
>I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
>
>---
>Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts
>can be counted.
>
Wood prices vary so much, depending on demand and location. Look for
a good deal on hardwoods like maple, ash, beech, walnut, oak, etc and
us that wood. I doubt you'll find cherry at a good price (due to the
current demand on this wood), but who knows? Popular is another wood
to consider if you are going to paint, and this is a good secondary
wood for parts that won't be seen. Not have a decent table
saw/jointer means you'll spend more time to get straight even cuts.
Don't you have a hand plane?
Looks like I'm in lockstep with Steve on starting with small crawls
then small steps prior to big leaps. My first task was for a shelf
with plate rail, oh curved ends and supports, and oh rounded over
edges. Each new project entailed something new and I found that was
an excellent way for ME to learn and expand. Suggest JMOE that you
look for Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking books 1&2 bound together.
Libray might have it and if not about $30.00 USD. I found after
making the first one the second and following went quicker, easier and
better. Protect hearing around universal motors!
On Fri, 30 Apr 2004 08:15:44 -0400, "Stephen M"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> Steve:
>>
>> Not taken as a slam. You got the picture clearly. I appreciate your
>> advice.
>>
>> I began by wanting to build a piece of sewing furniture (sold in the
>market
>> for about $2K). Then I figured the need for a workbench in order to do
>this
>> safely and comfortably.
>
>Good job. You are learning well from the wreck.
>
>
>> Doing the workbench was so enjoyable that it looks
>> like I found myself a hobby. Everywhere I look now I look to see how the
>> furniture was built. In my house I see so much potential: a window seat,
>a
>> cd storage cabinet, storage for the garage,
>
>Stop. right there! That one. that's your next project... the garage
>storage..... That gives you another place to develop some more skills where
>there is a little more wiggle room for "oopses".
>
>
>>bookcases,
>
>That's a good one too.
>
>>and on and on. It
>> looks like I've caught a bug!
>> Moe
>
>Moe,
>
>My gut says that the sewing cabinet may be a bit too ambitious. I say that
>because I want you to succeed. I would rather see you encouraged by small
>successes, than frustrated by biting off a little more than you are ready
>for. I always try to do something new on each project: a new finish, use a
>new tool, or a construction technique. Build up to it.
>
>Then again I could be completely wrong. You could churn our a masterpiece.
>
>Have fun, make dust.
>
>-Steve
>
On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 22:48:46 GMT, "MOE" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Hi everyone:
>
>If you were completely new to woodworking - all your prior experience was
>installing chair rails in a den and building a workbench - what type of wood
>would you use to build sewing machine furniture? I'm planning to build
>something similar to a corner computer desk with side extensions to
>accommodate 3 sewing machines.
>Something like this: http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/compdesk1.html
>
>The tools I'll be using are a 7 1/4" electric circular saw, and another one
>5 1/2" battery operated. Also a scroll saw, two drills, and a finishing
>sander. Of course I have all the other essentials, such as hammers, levels,
>and such.
>
>Considering the tools that I have, and especially my very limited
>experience, I'm concerned about wasting good wood.
>
>On the other hand, it could turn out to be pretty good and then I would be
>sorry not to have used better wood.
>
>What would be a middle ground?
>
>I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
>
>---
>Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts
>can be counted.
>
birch plywood
Thanks to everyone.
"MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi everyone:
>
> If you were completely new to woodworking - all your prior experience was
> installing chair rails in a den and building a workbench - what type of
wood
> would you use to build sewing machine furniture? I'm planning to build
> something similar to a corner computer desk with side extensions to
> accommodate 3 sewing machines.
> Something like this: http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/compdesk1.html
>
> The tools I'll be using are a 7 1/4" electric circular saw, and another
one
> 5 1/2" battery operated. Also a scroll saw, two drills, and a finishing
> sander. Of course I have all the other essentials, such as hammers,
levels,
> and such.
>
> Considering the tools that I have, and especially my very limited
> experience, I'm concerned about wasting good wood.
>
> On the other hand, it could turn out to be pretty good and then I would be
> sorry not to have used better wood.
>
> What would be a middle ground?
>
> I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
>
> ---
> Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts
> can be counted.
>
>
>
No, I don't have a handplane. I guess I need more tools. This'l take a
while, but I will do it - God willing.
"Phisherman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 22:48:46 GMT, "MOE" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >Hi everyone:
> >
> >If you were completely new to woodworking - all your prior experience was
> >installing chair rails in a den and building a workbench - what type of
wood
> >would you use to build sewing machine furniture? I'm planning to build
> >something similar to a corner computer desk with side extensions to
> >accommodate 3 sewing machines.
> >Something like this: http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/compdesk1.html
> >
> >The tools I'll be using are a 7 1/4" electric circular saw, and another
one
> >5 1/2" battery operated. Also a scroll saw, two drills, and a finishing
> >sander. Of course I have all the other essentials, such as hammers,
levels,
> >and such.
> >
> >Considering the tools that I have, and especially my very limited
> >experience, I'm concerned about wasting good wood.
> >
> >On the other hand, it could turn out to be pretty good and then I would
be
> >sorry not to have used better wood.
> >
> >What would be a middle ground?
> >
> >I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
> >
> >---
> >Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts
> >can be counted.
> >
>
>
> Wood prices vary so much, depending on demand and location. Look for
> a good deal on hardwoods like maple, ash, beech, walnut, oak, etc and
> us that wood. I doubt you'll find cherry at a good price (due to the
> current demand on this wood), but who knows? Popular is another wood
> to consider if you are going to paint, and this is a good secondary
> wood for parts that won't be seen. Not have a decent table
> saw/jointer means you'll spend more time to get straight even cuts.
> Don't you have a hand plane?
>
Steve:
Not taken as a slam. You got the picture clearly. I appreciate your
advice.
I began by wanting to build a piece of sewing furniture (sold in the market
for about $2K). Then I figured the need for a workbench in order to do this
safely and comfortably. Doing the workbench was so enjoyable that it looks
like I found myself a hobby. Everywhere I look now I look to see how the
furniture was built. In my house I see so much potential: a window seat, a
cd storage cabinet, storage for the garage, bookcases, and on and on. It
looks like I've caught a bug!
Moe
"Stephen M" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> MOE,
>
> This is not a slam, I'm just putting your request in context. I saw your
> workbench posting on ABPW. It's great start, simple and utilitarian
> (completely appririate for what it is).
>
> This is a serious question: do you wish to build furniture, or a sewing
> tool, or both?
>
> I suspect that you have a few projects in from of you before you're on to
> fine furniture. Wood species is more of an aesthetic choice than anything
> else.
>
> Do NOT rule out sheet goods...Cabinet-grade plywood, MDF, melamine for
> laminate (formica) over particle board or MDF.
> Getting a large flat surface with solid wood can be a challenge for a
> newbie. Sheet goods can solve that problem to some degree.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Steve
>
>
>
> "MOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hi everyone:
> >
> > If you were completely new to woodworking - all your prior experience
was
> > installing chair rails in a den and building a workbench - what type of
> wood
> > would you use to build sewing machine furniture? I'm planning to build
> > something similar to a corner computer desk with side extensions to
> > accommodate 3 sewing machines.
> > Something like this: http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/compdesk1.html
> >
> > The tools I'll be using are a 7 1/4" electric circular saw, and another
> one
> > 5 1/2" battery operated. Also a scroll saw, two drills, and a
finishing
> > sander. Of course I have all the other essentials, such as hammers,
> levels,
> > and such.
> >
> > Considering the tools that I have, and especially my very limited
> > experience, I'm concerned about wasting good wood.
> >
> > On the other hand, it could turn out to be pretty good and then I would
be
> > sorry not to have used better wood.
> >
> > What would be a middle ground?
> >
> > I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
> >
> > ---
> > Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that
counts
> > can be counted.
> >
> >
>
>
>
"Toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have made perfectly nice bookcases out of pine.
> If you want to go a step up, maybe ash or soft maple.
>
> Poplar is cheap, but I would rather use pine.
>
> You are going to have a heck of a time getting everything square with a
just
> a circular saw; but it can be done if you are careful enough.
What would be the appropriate tool, a table saw?
Any recommendations on the brand?