I have been woodworking as a hobby for a number of years and consider myself an advanced beginner. Recently, a friend of mine who has never done woodworking asked me for some starting-out advice, and in response I wrote a memo with basic information and suggestions. I am posting it here with the hope that it might be useful to another beginner. Feel free to make comments or tell me where I am wrong, because I will pass that along to my friend and maybe even improve the memo for others.
Replies
Congratulations for your memo. Being a beginner, I appreciate the effort you put into it and I find it extremely usefull. I really like your practical approach. I would just like to add a recommendation to join a local club and look for adult education as a means to get access to machines while saving up to buy them. Also IMHO replace Garrett Wade catalog by Highland Hardware's.
Cheers,
Eric
In the October, 2002 issue of Fine Woodworking magazine, author Mike Dunbar presented an article entitled "Top 10 unavoidable truths of woodworking."
As I was reading Dunbar's article, I couldn't help comparing his observations to my own hard-earned woodworking experience. Using Dunbar's article as a jumping-off point, the following are some woodworking truths I've learned:
1. LEARN ABOUT WOOD
Wood is dynamic; it changes its shape and dimensions in response to internal stresses as well as variations in temperature and humidity. There can be pronounced differences among species, and manmade products behave differently than Godmade products. Without this basic knowledge, the workability of the materials will be less predictable; the likelihood of accidents will increase, and; the completed project may not finish properly or may self-destruct in the form of splits, cracks, etc. It's also worthwhile to know about the use of nominal measurements in wood products; knowing that a "2x4" doesn't actually measure 2-inches by 4-inches; that three-quarter-inch plywood may not actually be 3/4" thick, or; that the thickness of roughsawn lumber is referred to in quarters of an inch (e.g. five-quarter stock).
2. LEARN THE VOCABULARY
It is far easier to understand written materials, learn from experienced woodworkers, and have your questions taken seriously when you use and understand appropriate terminology.
3. LEARN TO SHARPEN
Difficult work and avoidable injuries result from dull tools. However, many woodworkers never master sharpening skills. Woodworking is far more pleasurable, and much safer, with sharp tools,. The self-confidence that results from well-honed sharpening skills will encourage you to stop and touch-up a questionable edge before proceeding.
4. SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT
Keep your first aid kit fully stocked and at hand. Keep a telephone nearby - you never know when you may have to dial 9-1-1. Remove all jewelry, roll up your sleeves, avoid loose clothing. Buy and use safety glasses, hearing protection, and an effective dust and vapor mask as the work demands. Wear non-slip shoes. Do not wear gloves when operating most power tools. Keep your floor and work surfaces well-lit, clean and free of clutter. Listen to your inner voice and stop working if you have any apprehension about what you are about to do. Never work under poor lighting conditions, when you are tired, distracted, have self-doubts, or are under the influence of alcohol or medication. And, as good old Norm Abram reminds us every week, it is vital to read, understand, and follow the safety rules that come with your power tools.
5. DON'T RUSH
There are two times when a woodworker rushes: right before an accident, and right after.
6. WOODWORKING IS PROCESS-DRIVEN
I seldom embark on a project until I have gone through every single step in my mind. This often includes the use of scale drawings, cutting lists, and a step-by-step cutting and assembly outlines. When I go through the process of making story sticks and preparing shop drawings, cutting lists, and assembly outlines I will often think of something that will make the actual woodworking easier, faster, or safer. It is sometimes very helpful to prepare full-scale drawings of sensitive sections such as the layout of multiple mortise & tenon joints, etc. When I first started, I would realize that my mental preparation had been incomplete, and I would find myself standing in front of the tablesaw scratching my head and muttering expletives under my breath. Setting up tools can be time consuming and often involves changing tooling, jigs and fixtures. It makes sense to do it only once. Aside from wasting time, no matter how carefully we measure and set up tools, it can be virtually impossible to exactly repeat a set-up and tiny errors can accumulate. Select joints and hardware before you cut any lumber. Remember the seven Ps - Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
7. PRACTICE
The likelihood of success and satisfaction increases markedly with practice, which encompasses such things such as testing stains and finishes on scrap before applying a final finish, dry-fitting your work and planning your clamping sequence before attempting glue-up, and trying unfamiliar skills such as cutting practice joints (e.g: dovetails) before tackling a project. I can't tell you how many times I've heard of people, including myself, screwing-up a project or sustaining an injury attempting an unfamiliar procedure without taking the time to practice first. Although it's understandable to want to complete our projects in a reasonable time, it is unreasonable to expect to perform a new skill at a satisfactory level the first time we try it.
8. LEARN ABOUT GLUES & FINISHES
There are an inordinate number of glues and finishes on the market, and reformulations are common. Glues & finishes have limited shelf-lives and specific uses. The choices among application-specific glues and finishes may seem daunting, but the "right" product for a specific application can make a project much easier and more satisfying to complete, and can yield significantly improved results, while using the "wrong" glue or finish can cause extra work, and, at worst, an unholy mess.
9. TOOLS
Buy only the tools you really need. Research before you buy. No matter how highly-recommended, don't buy a tool unless it fits your hands, and is appropriately sized/weighted to suit your needs. Buy the best tools you can afford. Buy from suppliers who specialize in tools. Avoid the the temptation to buy "sets" of tools (sets of router bits come to mind) - they are only a bargain if you'll actually use them. Borrow or rent tools you won't use often enough to justify a purchase. Use both hand and power tools - disbelieve extremists who believe power tools or hand tools should be used almost exclusively. Hand tool skills are invaluable, and power tools can be tremendous labor saving devices.
10. SATISFY YOUR CURIOSITY
Read books and magazines and visit woodworking websites. I have learned to be wary of articles that are limited to a step-by-step process with little other discussion. Double-check all of the dimensions before you tackle a project, and review subsequent issues for retractions or other disclosures of errors that may have been included in the original article before you start cutting lumber. My crap detector usually powers-up when an author authoratively uses absolute terms such as always, never and only, or speaks disrespectfully of other woodworkers or their methods.
Most of all, have fun!
Mark,
Being a beginner myself I appreciate all the work that went into that document. In the past three years I have already been down some paths you describe and certainly would have been spared the grief had I read this before. There is however much in your document that still lies ahead. Thanks for the advice and your hard work.
Carlos
Mark
I clicked on the box and can't get anything to come up. As you know I'm not great with these computers. It should come up though. Others have posted back, so I have some kind of a problem. Would like to read you post.
I will get the "First Lady" to give it a shot tomorrow. She is MIS and just the opposite with computer skills. I do think it's my computer. If so, she will un-ravel it in about 3 seconds. It cost me big to ask though. ha..ha..
Evening...
sarge..jt
I caution that for someone like you there's nothing there worth reading.
I thought it was a nice article, but a little too definitive, maybe. Everyone will go about learning completely differently. I started complex veneering and complex curved laminations before I even learned to cut a tenon or sharpen a plane. We sometimes give a sort of authoritarian view of things that will get people up to speed in the quickest way, but when you take some of the fun out of it, it can become boring. Taking a young kid who may be interested in woodworking and sitting him at a sharpening station for the first time can crush his interest in woodworking forever. It is both unfulfilling and frustrating, especially without direct guidance. Its like high school math almost "When am I ever going to use this cr*p?" The student needs to appreciate a sharp iron (or a dull one) before they will really believe in sharpening. With me, I learned a bunch of 'advanced' techniques first that were rewarding and fun, and that propelled me to learn the drudgery of the sharpening and using hand tools, etc; because I saw what I could use it for, and it therefore became fun.
I recently set out to start a small woodworking class in my shop on the weekends. Just as my little way to introduce the arts back into the classroom; even if its outside the classroom. It made me seriously think about the best ways to get students to become interested in woodworking for life. I pretty much came to this conclusion. If anyone here has experience with this sort of thing, I would appreciate comment.
Tom
Your comment is very fair and accurate. This was written for an adult friend of mine and I definitely had him in mind as I wrote it. My kids have been introduced to woodworking in an entirely different way - like building boats and spaceships out of scraps using the screw gun and air nailer. There is is definitely no one size that fits all.
Great article Mark, The only thing I would add is "Dont be afraid to try something new". I know I get hung up on doing things a certain way and dont try to learn new, alternate, and even better ways to do the same thing. Some times Im even shall we say scared to do something new because of the time envolved to learn something new. JMO
Darkworksite4:
Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN
Tom,
What a fantastic gift of your time and skills! I remember first taking shop in the 7th grade. First semester we had wood shop. We first learned about basic tools, some wood properties, and shop safety. We then practiced sanding, cutting, and planing, sanding cutting and planing, sanding cutting and planing......... Finally, we made a small tic-tac-toe board out of a piece of 2x4. Big deal.
The next semester, we had metal shop. Basic tool use, metal properties, and shop safety. We practiced filing, cutting, etc. By the end of the course, we each made a small tool caddy from sheet metal and a piece of strap iron, and a screw driver which we had forged, shaped, tempered and hardened ourselves and fitted to a nice fluted plastic handle that we each cut on the lathe. I'll always remember bringing those projects home to show to my dad - I was so proud.
Guess which class was our favorite? I'm assuming your class is for kids, but this suggestion probably applies to adults as well: move to a project as quickly as possible, something that will engage their attention, use a few very specific skills, and produce results in the near future.
Jeff
You're not a beginner, Mark.
That's kind. Too kind.
Mark
My lovely wife went into Work Pad and pulled your document up immediately. She will create an association for doc files, which wasn't already set up. That's what she told me, anyway. Of course, I completely understand every word of that and totally agreed with her. And yes, I had to commit to her favorite Japanese Steak House for the week-end. "We hold these truths self-evident." ha..ha..
Well, now I can return some compliments. Out-standing piece of literature. If I were starting out in WW today, I would most definitely have benefited from the text. Some of the things mentioned I did not learn for years. When I started in 1972, there weren't a lot of written or physical sources other than word of mouth and trial and error. Highland Hardware opened their doors in 1978 and opened up a brave new world to WW'ing in the Atlanta area. Things around that time began to click. Availability of specialized WW tools and people with funny names like Frid, Kresnov, Odate, Klaus and Maloof began to appear there an un-ravel some of the mystery. Fine WW mag came along and things went from click to "roll". The computer was not an effective tool at that time, but the "holy word" still got out, just a little slower.
Now we are fortunate enough to ask a question and get it answered by skilled crafts-man and craft-ladies in minutes. All those that have that available now will probably never appreciate it as it may well be taken for granted. There was at time you would drive a lengthy distance to meet, talk and learn from someone above your level. It can be done in the comfort of your home now. With these changes, I can see nothing but a larger audience to participate and a shorter period to move up the ladder. For us old folks, it is good to know that a well-informed group of younger WW's will be capable of taking the reins in the future.
Excellent, excellent work. The only thing I might add is:
Try a Jorgy Cabinet-Master and see if you still feel the same about Bessey. :>)
When you mentioned clamps, mention it is one of the most important tools in any shop, much less a one-man shop which is where most of us are. I would capitalize the C in Clamp. It deserves special attention.
Have a great day and again, mission accomplished in the highest tradition of the craft...
sarge..jt
Thank you, Sarge, for the compliment and the suggestion. I'll try the Jorgy.
Sirp
I think the article is well written and very helpful for a beginner. I think most anyone would know that there are several ways to skin a cat and you have laid out very well what needs to be done without going into the gory detail of how. The learning how is one the the exciting aspects of woodworking. Very Good. I would add to your library the books of James Kernov as required reading.
larry
to fly is heavenly, to hover is divine
Good document, Mark. My aunt just bought a house that came with a basement and an abandoned workbench. She wants to get into woodworking and has been asking me where to start. I'm going to recommend a class at the community college (she lives 10 hours away from me) and I may shoot her a copy of your memo if that's all right. I will probably also buy her a book called "The Seven Essentials of Woodworking" by Anthony Guidice. That book follows logic similar to yours with regard to planes and recommends the LN Low Angle Jack be the first one that you buy. Have a good weekend. Ed
I would be delighted.
Funny thing but I recently started to write up a list of hints, kinks and ideas for the new woodworkers in 'my' club. After working on it a bit I realized that I had put down over 70 small items. I have not yet shown it to the guys and gals for their comments and additions. On several of the items you have written, I have almost the exact same wording (especially the part about HAND tools.) It prints out to 7 pages. If there is interest, I'll figure out how to post it for you to see. It is the passing on of this sort of information that is important to the newcomer to this 'hobby'. There is not enough time to find out this information for ourslves. Sharing this info is helps all of us become better woodworkers. SawdustSteve... and a Happy Haloween to all.
Great idea.
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