Hello All
First off, I would like to mention that I am a total newbie when it comes to woodworking. One day I just thought that it would be cool to physically make something. I work in the computer industry and thus I sit on my butt all day typing code. There is not physical product that I create. My first “project” was a simple computer desk made from melamine. I didn’t even cut the pieces. I bought a 4×8 sheet and asked to guys from the store to cut it into the required sizes. Anyways, my first real piece of work was a knife block for the kitchen. I used saws and chisels and planes and finished it off with tung oil. It must have taken me 3-4 months (I did it off and on for only about 1-2 hours on the weekends).
Here is the meat for the discussions:
I have no power tools. I own a dovetail saw, Stanley #4 hand plane, B&D Workmate, Set of Marples bevelled edge chisels, Stanley #90 bullnose (and some othere things). So, is it insane for a beginner with absolutely no training to start off with hand tools? Am I deluded to think that I can produce larger, more complicated peices without routers, bandsaws, etc.? I like reading FWW because there are so many articles in which the craftsman uses hand tools but they are trained.
Anyways I hope this is good for some discussion.
Replies
Icebit,
Welcome to the real world! Where you obtain wonderful satisfaction working with nature's materials and producing tangable evidence of your accomplishments (and failures!).
First a small technical correction. You are not a newbie! You are a novice, an amateur, a student, a beginner. But heavens, not a newbie! Not in this realm.
Rest assured, that if you want to work with handtools and nothing else, you can produce excellent work. However, due to the physical nature of this work, at some point you have to accept the fact that you need machinery to save you from tasks that are: 1 too physically demanding or 2. so time consuming that you are left with no time or energy to do creative work.
So at some point, a jointer, table saw, router, random orbit sander start to come into the picture.
There are libraries full of methods of hand work, and I encourage you to learn whatever seems interesting. Do not be misled by the universe of power equipment which seems to imply that one must have power tools to be considered a letigitmate woodworker.
Have fun!
Rich
welcome,icebit, dont be fooled into thinking hand tools slow you down , I started out much the same way. By starting out with hand tools,and mastering there use,and combining them with modern power tools and equipment,you will be a better craftsman . a good set of books to read are the ones Roy Underhill wrote. the woodwright shop, the wood wright companion, etc.... keep us posted. and good wood working.
welcome!
Hand tools will be a source of enjoyment you won't get tired of. However I do suggest the first skill you master is sharpening. Dull tools are no fun! good luck
Rick, Fayetteville, GA
You have come to the right place, Mr. Icebit.
Many times you will find here at the "Knots" site that a relatively inexperienced woodworker will post a plea for help with his current project. Almost always answers, guidance and information will show up from respondents the first day the worker posts his questions. Many of the men who respond are genuinely highly experienced experts.
I second the motion that you should begin to learn to sharpen those tools which require it. It can take quite a lot of trial and error experiences to learn to sharpen the tools you use in hand. Time spent in learning the best methods for your particular interests will pay off with big dividends. There are lots of sharpening methods. Explore them and adopt what works best in your own hands.
A good undertaking for one of your early projects might be a good sturdy workbench. A workbench is all but indispensable. And, tho' a nice hardwood bench is ultimately desirable, there is absolutely no question that an extremely serviceable workbench can be constructed of softwoods, plywood, Medium Density Fibreboard and tempered hardboard. The cost of the latter type bench is VERY significantly less than the hardwood bench.
Most beginning woodworkers, as well as those with decades of professional experience, aren't rich. One just has to deal with it. But I'd advise you at the outset to purchase only very high quality tools. The cost is often jaw-dropping but the best tools make the work even more gratifying than it is with lesser tools.
Explore your part of the country for sources of material. Especially find out if there are lumber mills not too far from where you live. Learn to work in hardwoods.
If you live in a big town there are often Woodworkers clubs which meet once a month. A few visits there might help you get better orientation as to exactly what you want to do.
If there aren't any such groups, somehow dig out other men who woodwork in your area and visit them. Seeing it helps one to understand what he's after.
And lastly, not in order of importance, read. Read everything you can about woodworking.
Best wishes for rewarding and productive work in your new interest.
William
Florida
Many of the men who respond are genuinely highly experienced experts.
And at least two of the women have some chops, too.
G' Morning, boys and girls...is that you, Doc? Wonderful post to the new guy. Except for the part about digging out men in one's area. Once i bury them, i want them to STAY buried! A good job should last beyond one's lifetime.
SPLINTIE
Again, sorry to barge in. See message #7 & #8 for explanation. You posted while I was slowly typing 7. I was going to ask about comment you made somewhere Boeing and sheets of phenolic. It can wait. Heh. Think I might just put on my steel-pot, flak jacket, peace symbol and head for the shop (bunker) in case of incoming if you mis-interpret. Ha...My mastery of the English language is somewhat lacking, but I'm still digging. I am also progressing with eating with a fork and spoon! And no, I don't have a crew-cut with a name like Sarge. It's just the only thing my momma could think of when she looked down in that crib. I'm stuck with it.
To keep to the guidelines of this thread, Again ICEBIT; welcome to KNOTS. Where information sharing and gathering is the norm; but a good time and camaderie can be had by all.
Sarge..
Here's a link to James Krenov's College of the Redwoods page of "good reading."
http://www.crfinefurniture.com/1pages/sitelinks/booklist.html
Not a bad bunch of books to get started with!
Rich
Your MAMA named you Sarge?!!!??
I, of severely repressed Mormon stock by way of England, got named by an Irish Catholic priest in Butte when my mother was too tired from delivery to protest. If it weren't for that bit of grace, i might have ended up wearing a bun and possibly a snood for good measure.
SPLINTiE:
Thanks for the correction on MAMA. Told you already about my short-comings with language. No matter where you got the name Colleen, I can't imagine a free-spirit like yourself wearing a bun held in place by a metal hat. Not likely. Colleen seems very apropriate as if you're not Irish, you missed a golden opprotunity from what I've seen "very recent" post. I won't ask as probaly goes before my time an I do not have a need to know! Fire and Ice.. Both can be lethal if they are not understood and handled in the proper manner! Takes a smart person to do that and you already know I'm not to bright.
No, my mom did not name me Sarge as you already knew. Name I picked up long ago in a land far away as I was molding what I was, to whatever I am now. It just sort of stuck. Perhaps because I don't mind getting dirty to get the job done if it's worth doing. Interpret as you see fit. You as an American have all the right to do so under the constitution. Now there's a job worth doing! Count me in and LET'S ROLL..
Do they still have legal poker in Montana? Believe it or not (forget Ripley) I loved Montana for much more that sking. I love the scenery, people and the freedom of the wide open space! Wide open is a word I love, but don't see much of it anymore. Do you know any Garrity's in Butte? Thought I'd ask.
Won't waste your time with any more. I would like to see more people of the opposite gender on this site. Now maybe there's another job that is worth doing. Hey, LET'S ROLL>>>
Sarge..
Oh, My God!, Splintie!
I just turned out to be one of the common, run of the mill, LICE, (maybe TERMITE would be a better word?) around here, huh?!
It will be hard to convince you that I am a fairly outspoken advocate for the rights of women, won't it?!
Presumably the culture into which I was born during the depression was so male oriented that despite decades of giving intellectual (and suffrage) assent to the distaff side, it didn't surface when I wrote my response to the newcomer.
Hard to get rid of custom, habit and even when wrong minded, isn't it?
I'll attempt a revision in future posts.
Best wishes to the Ladies, always.
William
Florida (where cool weather is considered to be unusual)
I make something, sometimes twice, each year.
I started woodworking with only my basic carpentry kit. The only power tool I owned was a circular saw.
I made my first bookcase entirely by hand. All the dadoes were chopped ( laboriously I might add ) with a chisel. 'Glue up's' were entertaining cos i didnt have any clamps.
I incorporated copper nails into the 'design' to hold it all together while the glue went off.
The good thing about doing it that way, was that I learned LOTS. Just start Icebit, It all gets better and more fun. Sam Maloof started in a chicken coop so low he couldnt stand up in it.
Splintie..........Haaahaahaahaa. I loves your style. :)
Wood Hoon
It will be hard to convince you that I am a fairly outspoken advocate for the rights of women, won't it?!
Nah, hard to convince me otherwise, by this stage of the game.
Did a certain article ever get published...you know, the one into which a person could really sink his/her/its teeth?
Colleen
Montana, where record lows (36*) and highs (105*) were set this past month.
36 degrees in July????? I guess I'd better quit griping about the weather in the Great Northwest!
I haven't read completely all the way through the responses in this thread, but I hope our Newbie has access to Public TV and The Woodwright's Shop with Roy Underhill. He is truly inspired and inspiring, and never, ever uses electricity!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Now even I know that a bun is what ya have for lunch, along with a little lettuce,tomato,cheese etc.
But a snood? Some sort of shaping tool maybe.........you 'mericans sure do have some funny words. :)
Wood Hoon
Sure and it was, Colleen.
And what's more, published in a very prestigious journal (Circulation: about 190, give or take a yard) !
Why, it was even sent up to that journal's website.
[Even more notice was garnered when a couple of researches were published in "The Game Bird Breeders' Gazette" back in the '60's!]
William
The Eclectic
I make something, sometimes twice, each year.
Thanks for all your encouraging words. I expected this kind and friendly reponse from reading the other posts on this forum.
I think my next project will be the workbench. I am thinking of a simple bench with storage underneath for my small (but growing) array of hand tools. I think it would be something like to bench in #143 "A Workbench That Work" by Phil Lowe.
At first, I was not certain about how serious I was going to be about this hobby, and bought some average/below average tools. Now, with this new passion, and your suggestions, I am ready to invest in some quality hand tools. I'm young still and the quality tools will last me a good 40 years.
Once again, thanks
ICEBIT:
Wise decision on the workbench, especially if you are going to work with handtools. Start with the foundation and work up. You might see if there are any woodworking clubs local. We had one start locally and has grown to over 200. What surprised me was the number of people that walk in and don't even own a tool. They express that they always wanted to do something with their hands. A great number are women that initially feel un-comfortable and out of place. Introductions always start with any person, any level of experience are welcome to participate as woodworking is for "all" that are bitten by the passion. Anyone is as capable as as anyone else to attain whatever level of expertise that they are willing to achieve.
I wrote that introduction and I extend it to you and everyone that has just opened the door to the what I consider to be a sacred common bond, The Love and Passion of Woodworking...
WELCOME...
Sarge..
> ...I think my next project will be the workbench.
You ain't no kinda man (or woman for that matter) if you ain't got a workbench. (loose quote from recent favorite movie)
If you want a quick solution to the workbench thing and are strapped for space (like working where your lifemate thinks the family auto should be stored, give some thought to a solid core wood door and some sturdy sawhorses or even folding legs. Given that I'm not in my new digs yet (still a glimmer in my eye, so to speak) I'm still using an oak skinned door slab I scrounged from a commercial remodel demo dumpster. Sturdy, flat and the price was definitely right.
The miser;Dennis in Bellevue WA
[email protected]
ICEBIT:
Looks like good advice so far. WELCOME . I totally agree with rick on sharpening. I saw Japanese carpenters build a steak house here in Atlanta years ago. I have never seen such intricate joints as they produced. Every 15 or 20 pulls of their hand-saws they would stop briefly to touch up sharpness.
William and others covered pretty much everything else. If you don't have local sources for Woodworking books, Highland Hardware in Atlanta has been the mecca for southern wood-workers for about 30 years when I got on-board. Call for their catalog 1-800-241-6748. They have about everyting in print. Also have website http://www.highlandhardware.com
Strong wood-Sturdy joints-Durable finish-Functional design are the words I came up with to describe my theories. You have taken the first steps on a long scenic road paved with much happiness!
Again, WELCOME and ENJOY !!
Sarge..
Hey Icebit ....
I certainly don't fall in the category of "highly experienced" but I can assure you that this is one of the most professional and personable on line discussion groups in which I've had the pleasure to participate. As was noted in another post, you ask a question and by the time you're through browsing the rest of the messages you can have a reply.
Second the notion about sharpening.
I've been cutting boards for over thirty years building a deck on my house, this that and the other. about all I used were power tools. Finally a year or so ago I decided to learn how to make cool things. Still learning, of course.
A few months ago I needed to hand plane something and I remembered my grampa's old tool box my Dad gave me when gramps passed away. Sure enough there was an old Miller Falls jack plane in there.
Dug it out, cleaned it up and spent practically an entire evening putting an edge on the iron you could shave with. Built a shooting box to plane down some 3/4" x 1/8" thick strips for a staved turning exercise. I managed to run a paper thin shaving from one end of a 2' long piece of canary wood to the other.
I saved that shaving as one of my proudest achievements thus far with respect to my use of hand tools in woodworking.
No, it doesn't take much to amuse me (grin)...
Dennis in Bellevue WA
[email protected]
ICEBIT:
By the way, there are two opposite genders here that have some chops too. They also have a geat sense of humor (which is well needed). I have found their input and humor to be a pleasant breath of fresh-air. Kind of like having cafe curtains in my Red-White-Blue "SPIRIT OF AMERICA" woodshop. Adds a touch of class to things. ( hi splintie-hi forest-girl ) Ain't getting no argument out of me. I'm dumb, but not that dumb! heh..heh.. Have a nice day.
Sarge..
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