How to learn to make small things by hand?
When I was in school, I spent my breaks working with a friend of mine (who has sadly since passed) who was a contractor and woodworker. We made everything from decks to furniture in his fantastic woodshop with pretty much every powertool I could think of.
I’m currently in a different situation. I have some small functional projects related to board games I want to do (slider boxes, display trays, etc.). The largest thing might be a 1 foot cube box. I’m also in a situation where I don’t have access to a woodshop, nor do I have the money to buy all the tools for one. I figure, for the little stuff that I want to make, I could probably make it with some kind of hand tools, but I don’t know how. Aside from a sanding block, pretty much everything I’ve ever used plugged into a wall.
So, in short, how do I learn to craft by hand? Are there recommended books or videos or something that are comprehensive for my needs? Thanks!
Replies
Take a class! My first woodworking class was called something like Using Hand Tools. It was a one day class, and there was a subsequent class of three or four days that went into more detail. We learned the basics of chisels, using a marking knife and card scraper, hand cut dovetails, using a spoke shave, etc. The teachers were experts with years of experience and would answer every question on woodworking we had. Take the class as soon as you can. You can quiz the teachers on a basic tool kit so you can search for good deals on the right tools, and avoid buying junk. If spending money on classes is out of reach, then look for woodworking clubs, go to meetings and try to find an experienced woodworker to mentor you. Surely some of them will be willing to share knowledge, especially if you volunteer to come by their shop and help with a project. There's also YouTube videos. Some of them might be helpful. Good luck and enjoy a great hobby!
Where do you find these classes?
It will always be a toss-up between the money spend on tools and the money spend on a class...
If you are that way inclined, you can learn to do this all from youtube.
You don't need a woodshop - I made loads of stuff with a workmate and minimal tools to start with.
Some hints:
1. Buy planed timber. It's expensive sure, and the choice is limited, but for what you want to do, it's ideal. There is little waste and mess and getting wood that is flat on four faces and square on four corners in most of the challenge in early woodwork.
2. Use plywood and/or MDF for larger bits. People laugh at these but they are cheap, stable and look great painted. The skills you need to work them are slightly different but well within the range of easy attainment.
The minimum tools I suggest for your sort of projects would be about USD 700 at most:
- 2 x 30cm (12 inch) speed clamps of decent quality - look for 100Kg (200lb) or higher clamp pressure. These will hold glue joints together and hold work to your work surface.
- Work Surface - start with an old plank supported on bricks if you like. Just don't use the wife's antique dining table. A workmate is a good investment. They are excellent though not essential and will always come in handy.
- Dustpan and brush - you will need this to clear chips etc off your plank before clamping your work to avoid dings in the surface. Also for cleaning the mess off the living room carpet.
- Panel pins, nail punch (small is essential, but they cost very little in sets), pin hammer (you can use a 12oz if funds are critical)
- Wood glue. I use outdoor PVA for almost everything as it keeps well and you can use it outdoors for no extra charge or reduction in strength. I don't have a clue why USA woodworkers prefer yellow glue but that would certainly work too.
- disposable J cloths - cheap cloths on a roll are really handy for cleaning up squeezeout of glue. Also for blood spills.
- Tape Measure - buy as many as you can afford as you will always lose them.
-Try Square - you need a square for making out - something small is best - a cheap 6 inch engineer's square with ruler markings from a big box store is enough. Don't buy the big one first - you can't use it for small stuff.
- Saw - a cheap tenon saw and mitre box are your minimum. If you can, get one with the saw attached https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stanley-Clamping-Miter-Box-w-Saw-Adjustable-Angle-Tool-22-in-Blade-Wood-Cutter/132915833928 is ideal - they are more accurate and will be useful for fine and small work even if you later buy a powered mitre saw. Save up for a really good mitre saw though as you will not like the results from a cheapo powered one.
- Saw to cut boards - there is only one option here - you need a circular saw (skilsaw) - sure you can use a cheap hand saw and neaten up with a plane but that will cost you way more than an 8 inch blade skil saw, which will last years and be really handy for lots of other things in future. Nothing beats a circ saw for cutting boards to size. I have a fabulous table saw and STILL prefer the circ saw for bigger boards as it is safer.
- PPE - ear defenders and safety glasses. Don't stint. Buy decent ones. I like a full face shield as they are cheap and comfortable to use as they don't mist up. Also mobile phone to call 111 for when you are caught using the router indoors.
- something to cut grooves. You will not regret a trim router. It will always be useful. If you are smart, you will buy a Makita cordless trim router and a Makita cordless circ saw - they use the same battery. Treat yourself to a set that comes with a battery and charger - at retail price the tool is usually free. 3Ah is ample.
- bits for the router - start with one the same size as the plywood you buy, or if you can afford it, go for a set - always best to get the set of cheap bits then buy good versions of the ones you like later. I still use many of the first set of cheapo bits I bought. CARBIDE tips are essential - don't buy HSS unless you really, really enjoy sharpening.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XTR01Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B074BYS49M
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-Circular/dp/B083F3LYPK
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XPH10R-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Driver-Drill/dp/B019WA71YG (I use a very similar model and each of the two supplied batteries are enough to drill 6 20mm holes 200mm through hard old fence posts...)
I was in a similar place you were 4 years ago. I would watch the Paul Sellers videos on YouTube. Then, I would watch the free videos you can by registering on his website. It will be more than enough to get you started in hand tool work. You can do quite a lot with very few tools.
I second joeleonetti - Didn't know where to start about 7 years ago and found Paul Sellers. All his advice and paid subscription was the groundwork for the basic skills and He has a VERY pragmatic approach especially on a budget. As I got more into it I started watching Rob Cosman stuff and then absorbed every book and got a FW unlimited membership.
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