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745K views 2K replies 162 participants last post by  Ecocandle 
#1 ·
New Year...New Hobby

I have been known to take up a hobby or 37. At 42, on the cusp of 43, and well into the 'balding' years, I have decided that, in lieu of a midlife crisis, I would take up woodworking. Don't get me wrong, a new car and a 27 year old with huge, firm, hands would be wonderful; But I can't afford the 27 year old, and I am not into cars that much.

In the summer of 2009, I went to an arts festival in Des Moines. The gentleman, who won best of show, did so with some amazing etched clay bowls. I am not sure why those clay pots inspired me to take up wood working, or if they were the only inspiration, but shortly thereafter I found myself living in the thriving metropolis of Martelle Iowa. I had my first ever basement.

Without a lot of money to buy all that one needs to build furniture, I started with magazines. The first one was called, "Start Woodworking", from the editors of Fine WoodWorking. I read tips on tools, ideas for projects, stories about great woodworkers, and I began to formulate a plan. I would start with a workbench, the workbench on page 24. The editors of the magazine did a good job of designing a project with the beginner in mind. They even provided a DVD with instructions that were really helpful.

The bench took several months to complete, though the plans were designed so that one could complete it is a weekend. I would guess that I spent 5 hours of thinking about building the bench, for every hour of actual working on it. I thought about what I needed to complete each step, but I was always only focused on the next step. The first step was to buy the 2×4s, 4×4s, 3/8" threaded rod, and a miter saw. Not an electric miter saw, a cheap manual one. I could afford it, it would cut, and I didn't at all care about how long it would take to make each cut. I also discovered in the garage and old hack saw that I could use for cutting the threaded rod.

With the wood cut, I decided I wanted to sand my lumber. The next purchase was a small Black and Decker 'Mouse' sander, some 80, 120, 180 grit sandpaper, and a cool looking level that I didn't need but it was shiny and I was powerless to NOT buy it. The next few weeks found me sanding each piece a bit each day. Barely into my first project I was already getting addicted to the process. The feeling of the construction grade lumber in my hand, after it had been sanded, gave me the slightest glimpse into the beauty of working with wood. I thought about how it must be to run my fingers across a piece of glass smooth mahogany or birds eye maple.

The plans required that I route a 3/8 inch groove into the stretchers. Before I read this magazine I didn't even know what a router or a stretcher was. Each new term learned, each skill set explored, opened up the possibilities that developing woodworking skills offers. And each discovery brought the reality home that care needs to be taken to master each aspect of woodworking. So before I could move on to routing I needed to do a bit of research. This is how one turns a 2 day project into a 2 month quest.

I read reviews and comments. There are many good routers to choose from and I decided to go with the Bosch 2.25 hp router with both the plunge base and the fixed base. I bought 3 bits. A 2" Spiral Downcut CL 2BB and a straight 3/8" by Amana Tools, and a 3/8" Up Spiral bit by Freud. I have come to the conclusion that Freud and Amana Tools are the two best out there. Admittedly Amana makes 2 levels of router bits, and I can't speak to their low end line, but the high end bits have been a joy.

With the router in hand, I had all the tools required to build my workbench. Each step was approached with a sense of confusion and fear. The first time I used the router I was filled with trepidation and pizza, as it was after dinner when I gave it a try. I spent close to 40 minutes setting up a guide for my router. Pieces of 2×4 clamped with 2 24" and 2 36" Jet clamps on my make shift workbench, allowed me to position the router to route. I had read that it is best to take several small passes for safety. Since I was already a bit scared that the router would spin wildly out of control and drive itself into my spleen, leaving me bleeding and generally disappointed, I decided that small passes were a good idea.

It worked as advertised. My first 2 passes made a wonderful 3/8" grove in my wood. I was filled with pride and sure that I was well on my way to being one of the greatest woodworkers of the last 700 years. My second board didn't go as well. I had tightened the collet on the router, though apparently not enough and it had slid up slightly. This had produced a slight up ramp for the groove. My ego needed this set back and I retightened it and decided that I was the greatest woodworker in my basement at that moment. This was good enough for me.

The rest of the project required gluing 2 pieces of ¾ " ODF together to form the top, drilling some holes in the 4×4 legs, and attaching the 9" Jet vice. The only difficult part was installing the vice as it didn't come with instructions, but my own insecurity about getting it right, made me take it at a glacial pace. When I flipped the bench back over and put a piece of wood in the vice, I almost wept with joy.

At the end of the quest I learned several things. 1) When marking wood to be cut or drilled, avoid doing it while watching college football. My bench still bears the scars of several errant holes. 2) Drilling holes with a hand drill, so that they are straight, requires a bit of practice. 3) High quality drill bits are much easier to use than really old, worn out, dull, bits. This likely applies to all tools, the better the quality, the better the results. 4) Fostner bits are cool. 5) I love my workbench, with its shiny red Jet 9" vice. 6) The journey before me is perhaps the most exciting one I have undertaken in my lifetime.
 
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#1,453 ·
I did the math...

Hello LJ's,

I took great care today and mapped out what I needed to do. This planning yielded the best tiny box bottoms I have yet created. I also finally got that rare earth magnet tool holder, hung on my wall. I built it months ago, but until yesterday, didn't have the right router bit to cut the key holes.

http://extremelyaverage.com/2010/08/finding-my-way-with-a-compass/

Brian
 
#1,464 ·
When you start to put stain or varethane or poly or whatever you choose you will once again see these boxes differently. Maybe a sanding mark, maybe a glue stain. The finish can make or break a good piece of work. I once made a eautiful set of kitchen cabinets for my Aunt. They turned out remarkable. The person that did the finishing for me on a regular basis did an outstanding job. I got a lot of advertising doing these cabinets.
The people down the road saw tham and I was given the job to do theirs. They wanted same design. I built them, BUT they decided to apply the finish themselves. They choose a crappy color, a poor varnish and really ruined the work I did. I was heartbroken, THEY realized the mistake THEY made !
GOOD luck in choosing your finish. Another learning curve perhaps ?
 
#1,466 ·
Going Batty for Finishing

Hello All,

I did a test bit of finishing today. I have been a little bit frightened to get started, but it was a lovely evening and I felt the finishing gods were speaking to me. Or perhaps it was the bat couple flying about? I am not sure, but it was a good night.

http://su.pr/1KNQxU

Brian
 
#1,467 ·
Tiny Box Update

Hello All,

I realize that every night is a tiny box update, but tonight I included a bunch of pictures of the previously completed boxes.

http://su.pr/17p9pN

Ok, I am off to hang out with some of my classmates from the Ames High School class of 1985. It has been 25 years. It seems like I should have gotten a bit more done. Oh well.

Brian
 
#1,468 ·
hello Brian
your boxes start to come together very niice
and the isue about finish or no finish
well you have to make some some test stick to apply your different finish so you can decide
what you are going to do, you have to make test for every different wood you use thats the only way
and you will discover how the colours will pop right out of the wood speciel the darker ones

have a great weekend
Dennis
 
#1,472 ·
Not What I wanted to Write...

Hello All,

After last night's post, and then the subsequent drinking in Lisbon, I really wanted to tell the 'rest of the story', but alas I am suffering a bit today. So I decided it was best to get back to woodworking, which is what most people like best anyway.

I have started my router table spline jig and am sending out a call for naming two more of my tools. There is a picture of the tools who need names, so if anyone would like to help, feel free to chime in. The naming of the two Lie-Nelson chisels was really fun, so I am looking forward to hearing people's ideas for my 3/8 inch Irwin chisel and my Japanese hand saw with the blue handle.

Tonight's post is Fun! Talking Tools…a request for two names…I think you will like it.

http://su.pr/AKj3DC

Brian
 
#1,473 ·
hello Brian I look forward to see your jiig
but havn´t named your saw and your first cheisel come as a surprize to me
and allso that they havn´t said anything about it
so a name for the cheisel shuold deffently express how humble he is in attitude
and the saw is a dubleedge with some beautyfull gratitude like a dancer when it cut

thats the closest I can come this time Brian sorry
best thoughts
Dennis
 
#1,478 ·
Tonight I felt Clever

Hello All,

Tonight I had the tiniest of triumphs. I love it when I am able to come up with a clever clamping solution. I am not sure why, but each time I do, I feel great about it. That is all that happened tonight, I figured something out and then had to write about it.

A small success tonight, which made me feel very clever. http://su.pr/6YPgV9

Brian
 
#1,479 ·
well well well the first things you build and then you almost forget them , not good
at least you now have discovered that like your workbench that is build for multi jobs
so is sawhoreses and sawbenches even a onsite tooltote if its build good

have a great day Brian (have you found names yet)

Dennis
 
#1,487 ·
Almost Done

Hello All,

As you know, if you read my blog, I have been trying to make a tiny box from Doug Stowe's book, "Basic Box Making". I have just completed my spline jig for my router table and tried it out today. There was success, joy, maybe a bit of dancing. I am very excited. I hope to have one (of 12) of my boxes completely finished tomorrow.

http://su.pr/2CMbXO

Brian
 
#1,491 ·
Shattered Jig or I Need Your Help

Hello All,

I had a brief disaster in the shop today, and as such, exploded my spline cutting jig. Sometimes that happens. On another not, my herd of boxes is nearly finished…I hope…though the finishing stages do seem to be dragging on…but I digress.

A couple of people have expressed interest in my tiny boxes. I had not planned on selling any of them, but now I think I might be willing to part with a few of them. Which presents a bit of a quandary, how much should I charge for a tiny box? To be honest, I am not entirely sure I want to part with any of them, but when I am done with the current batch of 12, and I have 14 boxes roaming around the house, looking all cute and everything, I might be willing to let a few go to new homes.

So if you wish to give your opinion, feel free to check out the boxes which are nearly done. And give your two cents worth. I should mention that all of the boxes will have splines which match the lid, but of course, I need to fix the jig with was spectacularly destroyed today.

http://su.pr/2jfLqM

Thanks,

Brian
 
#1,503 ·
Enlightenment

Hello All,

I just thought I would let you know that tonight's post is up. It isn't about woodworking though. I haven't done a piece about Social Media in a month or so, and a few of my regular readers requested one. So I discuss Digg and will be checking out that site, to see if it helps my blog.

http://digg.com/d31aCvy

Brian
 
#1,513 ·
Henry Wood Chapter 24 is up!

Hello All,

I have finally added another chapter to the Henry Wood Saga…and I included a photo…with a tiny box in it…so it is doubly great. For those who have been following the Henry Wood Detective Agency, you will be happy to know, that I have finally figured out the rest of the story in my head, so the chapters will come more frequently now. :) Enjoy.

http://su.pr/5Xj430

Brian
 
#1,515 ·
Hello Brian :)
havn´t seen the vidio but I will do
I disagree with what shannon said
even a smoother cuold get that board flat as a …....(children on the site)..LOL
I have a wooden scrup and a wooden Jack they wood both get that job done fast and easey
just plane diogonal from corner to corner and then chance direction and plane the oppesite way
and use those sticks hayvely

good luck
Dennis
 
#1,522 ·
The post is up...

Hello All,

I am feeling a bit icky today, so I started out to write a really lame post. I may have accidentally written a slightly entertaining one, I can't be sure. There isn't any woodworking stuff tonight, but there is a photo of a duck, so it has that going for it. It might be good…it might stink…I am just not sure. The 3 photos are nice though.

http://su.pr/6RVkZX <My post tonight is…well…it started out as rubbish and then finished strong…I might actually like it.

Brian
 
#1,525 ·
:) thank´s Brian for the 2×5 minuts break :) missed the last one
and I like the way you came around to put the tiny box
in to the story with a picture of your work :)now I just have to see
if there shuold bee one or two cookkies as left overs from the weekend :)
to read this made me hungry for sweets.

take care
Dennis
 
#1,528 ·
:) don´t be so hard to your self no one ells will ever notice some of your small
mistakes and design changes over the years except yourself :)
its proppely the worst part of being a woodworker you will proppely
20 years from now still remember every little mistake you maybee make
in your things and cuold point them out 2 secunds later if you see the piece again

take care
Dennis
 
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