Just wanting to say hello to all, love the forums, great advice, tips, etc. I am not new to woodworking (runs in the family bloodline…my great grandfather, my grandfather, my dad, my brother…y’all know the routine (yes I am from NC to all you yanks 😉 ), but I am new to furniture making and eager to learn all I can, from one and all. Made a decision to get out of the corporate world and into the furniture making business. Not quiting my job tomorrow, but hope to start something in the next few years. Woodworking seems to be a natural thing for me, just have to ‘fine tune’ my knowledge of furniture making. Soooooo, I am looking for all the vets and ‘almost’ vets, and anyone in between to give me pointers. I have a very limited budget at the moment, and I have plans for a “small” (learning) shop. I think I need great ‘hand’ tools, good planers, spokeshaves, etc. Thinking about the Lie-Nielsen brand for that. Also wanting some good power tools for my “small” shop and looking for suggestions on a ‘limited’ budget; (learners) bandsaw, router, router table, MAYBE a table saw, coping saw, planer (maybe down the road), etc. I want to learn furniture building. Beds, end tables, chairs, rocking chairs, bookcases, dressers, chest of drawers, etc. Not closed off to cabinets, (but not something I want to jump into at the moment). I want to get my skill set down pat and ‘learn’ ALL I can. Need tips on books, heard a lot about Tage Frig (and thinking that’s the books I will start with). Also interested in getting tips from those that have a business in this stuff. The do’s and don’ts and all that (not sure if this is the right forum to post this but hey it can’t hurt). Any help is appreciated.
Starting anew,
Kev
Edited 3/24/2005 9:56 pm ET by JKR
Edited 3/24/2005 9:56 pm ET by JKR
Edited 3/24/2005 9:59 pm ET by JKR
Edited 3/24/2005 10:01 pm ET by JKR
Replies
JK, Welcomen ! It's nice to see some 'New blood' aboard the USS KNOTS
From your apparant eagerness at the start of the post ,I can tell you are already hooked on wood. It's a lifetime addiction,so beware.
It's comforting, that you included hand tools among your'Wishlist'.
I detect from your discussion title (Beginner etc,)you are not afraid or adverse to ask questions.
You have come to the right place, as there's hundreds of other sawdusters out here ready to offer "Their" right way to do it.
Finally, you revealed that you'll keep a neat workshop and not leave stuff lying about un done. ( Hence, the FOUR edits to your post)
Good luck J K Steinmetz.
It's human nature to believe you alone do a job correctly and the other's are wrong....
(Quote:) If everyone in the world liked the same flavor of icecream, we'd run out of chocolate in five minutes.
I am a perfectionist, hence the 4 edits in my post ;).
Thanks for the tips and I am definitely not afraid to ask. Especially if asking the right people. Gotta learn from somewhere and it might as well be someone with much experience and it sounds like from what I've read on these forums that there are plenty of experienced folks here.It's all over, but the cryin'
Kev
>> ... hence the 4 edits in my post ;).In my browser, the previous edit notices show up in the text box as plain text, so I can delete them and end up with only one showing, no matter how many times I edit.
JKR,
There is a trainload of books out there and the best first step would be "Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking". The two volumes (Book 1: Joinery and Book 2: Shaping, Veneering, Finishing) are available in one softcover book. Another very good book is "Jim Tolpin's Table Saw Magic" -- self explanatory. Taunton's "Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing" by Jeff Jewitt is another must-have book. There are tons more "How to..." and "Build Your Own..." book out there as well.
In addition to books directly related to woodworking, I'd suggest "Geometry of Design" by Kimberly Elam. This is not a woodworking book, per se, but is a great aid in understanding the importance of proportion.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Thanks for the suggestions on the books. Will be sure to check them all out.
Any tips on good, lower priced, tools for a starter?It's all over, but the cryin'
Kev
"Any tips on good, lower priced, tools for a starter?"
JKR,
The best answer to that question is another question (or two): What is your tool budget? What is your initial objective? There's nothing wrong with starting with used tools -- check the classified ads.
The heart of most shops is the tablesaw. You can spend anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand on one. For starters, a contractor saw might be the best bet, then upgrade after a few years if your projects justify it.
The portable planer for dimensioning wood has paid for itself many times over. For small projects, buying dimensioned wood is OK, but you'll save a ton buying rough cut lumber and dimensioning it yourself. A jointer is almost a must-have, although you can do the same operations with a planer and tablesaw using a little ingenuity; i.e., a sled to hold the piece in position on one side as it goes through the planer and a related procedure for edge-jointing on the tablesaw.
Those are some of the major items. You'll still need sanders, drills, etc., depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
What is your tool budget?
I gotta have a budget? hehe. It's very low.
What is your initial objective?
To learn as much as I can about furniture making. I know I want to get the hand tool skills down pat and I think that getting the higher end hand tools (Lie-Nielsen, Veritas, etc.) is what should be used there.
I was hoping for a bandsaw, a table saw, a router table, and a good plunge router. Although my shop 'which has not yet been built' will be around 10'X12' so not a whole lot of space to work with. I was thinking mostly benchtop tools since the space was limited. I don't need $10,000 machines that will put out thousands of cuts an hour to make thousands of dollars worth of furniture, I'm just learning now, so I figure a few good starter tools, in maybe $200-$500 ranges for each (the cheaper the better). Like the idea of used tools too, never even occurred to me, although I don't know why, since I have built a house with my brother before on hand me down, used tools.
Thanks for the tip on the planer too, sounds like a smart move. Will definitely look into it.GO 'HEELS!!
Kev
Hi JKR, welcome to the group!!! I admire your interest in using hand-tools and your determination to perfect furniture-making skills. My weakness is power tools, and I haven't spent anyone else's money for awhile now, so I'll give your start-up shop a shot here!
10" contractor's saw w/ cast iron wings. Grizzly G0444Z ($575) It's 240V. General International 50-185 is a really nice saw, 110V, 2HP. Runs around $650
12.5" benchtop planer Delta TP305 ($199.99) Find an older 12" model, save $50.
14" bandsaw Grizzly G0555 ($425)
Router combo set -- motor + plunge and fixed base. Porter Cable, Bosch, Makita, etc. (~$200)
Make your own router table or buy the Veritas solid steel table & fence. ($249. Add the sled, total comes to $324.)
Jointer: you could get by without one for awhile, especially given that you're so interested in using hand planes.
Dust collection (air filter and dust collector) Figure $500+
In addition to the stuff you listed and hand planes, you'll need quality measuring and layout tools, and clamps, clamps, clamps, clamps, clamps. Note: Grizzly shipping runs $58 per tool I believe.
Well, that was fun for me! (Yes, I'm weird). Enjoy! Keep us posted.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Edited 3/26/2005 11:57 am ET by forestgirl
Thank you EVERYONE for all the great responses. Trust me, it's much appreciated. Now if I could just win the lottery to get all these tools!! No rush right now, since I mainly want to absorb all the info I can first, but all your suggestions will not go to waste.
Thanks again!GO 'HEELS
Kev
Keep your eyes and ears open, network with any woodworking clubs in the area, maybe call around to small shops. I got my Jet contractor saw free from a framing shop. The motor was shot. Was able to get a new Jet motor at a big discount through a scratch-n-dent place down the road from the Jet warehouse in Auburn.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Power tools are great, but if you want to build furniture, don't leave out hand tools. A good set of planes, chisels, measuring and marking gages, etc. I have come to appreciate them more than my power tools and actually enjoy using them more. I feel like I am doing things with wood instead to it.
The other thing to consider is to take classes or attend workshops. Search the internet or look in your area. Many Woodcraft stores having some sort of education facility associated with them. Its a good marketing strategy for them. You buy a lot "stuff" when you attend class there. But I am forunate that the one closest to me (CT Valley School of Woodworking in Hartford CT) offers many types of workshops. I have been very fortunate to atttend classes with Mario Rodriquez, Garrett Hack and Phil Lowe. While I have come away with some nice pieces, what I learned was invaluable.
JKR,
Welcome, I'm relatively new too so let me share with you a couple of things I've learned. First, get a library card. The attached list of books was posted last year on here...borrow them, read them before you buy. Second, great deals on hand tools and quality measuring devices can be had at antique tool auctions....lots of good stuff out there that is not antiques but they want to get rid of cheap. Three, workbench is a must, enough said. Fourth, buy a good set of maps to your brother, father, grandfather house. etc. and visti their tools when they are not there...he,he :)
Educate yourself on what's out there. Buy you a current issues of several woodworking publications and call, e-mail, fill out reader service cards for every supplier you can. You can educate yourself on what's in the market place.
Being in NC check out Woodworkers Supply in Grahm, NC and Klingspor in Hickory, NC.
Mcfelly's square drive screws in Lynchburg, Va. is a great company to get hooked up with.
Attend one of The Woodworking Shows that travel around the country. You just missed the one in Charlotte this month. Klingspor has a show in the fall in Hickory. Klingspor also operates Klingspor's Woodworking Shop. There's location's in Hickory, Charlotte, Winston Salem, and Raleigh, NC.
Attend local woodworking club meetings in your area.
Tools are a wide topic. Used tools can be great if you buy quality and don't pay too much. I purchased a Delta Unisaw for $200.00 and spent $300.00 for a new fence system. I could not afford to spend $1800.00 - $2000.00 for a new one. I'm very happy with my purchase. My rule of thumb "Always buy the best you can afford". Save your money and buy one good tool rather tan buy several cheap tools.
Good Luck!
Delbert
Great advice on good tools; no mater what the trade or craft good tools, new or used are the way to go. If you try to work (especially when first learning)with poor quality tools how will you ever know if problems are due to technic or faulty equipment. Buy the best and only cry once.
KDMKenneth Duke Masters
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JKR:
I noticed you are in Garner. I recently moved from Goldsboro to Alabama. If you are serious about learning how to build furniture, you have great resources nearby. If you want to make furniture, don't settle for making something that you can find in any furniture store- yours needs to be better. I would recommend studying the best from the 18th century that is around. You can visit Tryon Palace in New Bern, Hope Plantation in Windsor, MESDA in Winston-Salem, and others. Also, you may want to take a few classes to learn traditional jointery and techniques. Check out hobbsfurniture.com for class schedules. That's not too far from you and can maybe help you get started.
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