LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner
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.
 
See less See more
#1,637 ·
#1,642 ·
With todays computor technology is is surprising that they still make the same motherboard. You must have a geek that is interested in helping. Most of the time you buy your computor and NEXT day it is obsolete !Best of luck getting it running.
 
#1,649 ·
Rural Iowa Adventure

Hello,

My computer is still getting fixed. I am still at my parents, so no woodworking. But I am able to blog. Tonight there are a couple of photos, by guest photographer extraordinaire, Sandy Meeks. (I often call her mom.)

Best Blog Post with a Goat, I have ever written.

http://extremelyaverage.com/2010/10/rural-iowa-adventure/

Brian
 
#1,650 ·
Still Blogging

Hello All,

The computer seems to be almost fixed….I hope. I am still a few days away from going home and having access to my shop, so my blog continues to be non-woodworking drivel. But some of you like my ramblings, so I thought I would let you know anyway. :)

I did ask a few questions, which I would love some help with.

http://bit.ly/c7Xx3j

Brian
 
#1,655 ·
A Drubbing

Hello All,

Still waiting on my computer. Today my father and I went to the ISU vs. Utah game. My post tonight is entitled 'A Drubbing'. I took a bunch of pictures with my iphone and was pleasantly surprised with the results. I know a lot of you are only interested in my woodworking posts, but I will say, there are CHEERLEADERS in one photo. Not that that would sway you. :)

http://bit.ly/aZLUCw

Brian
 
#1,658 ·
Let the Madness End

Hey,

I don't think I have posted my blog here for the last couple of days. Sorry about that. Today's blog is up, and oddly yesterday's blog was very well received. Perhaps I misjudged it.

This is today's blog. http://su.pr/2jmb8k

If you wish to see either of the last two, just scroll down. You will find them. Hopefully I will be doing some woodworking tomorrow.

Brian
 
#1,662 ·
Kindle Stuff

Hey Everyone,

I made a great find last night. Ok, actually it was at about 3AM on Sunday morning, but the point is that, as some of you know, I have been working on putting Henry Wood into Kindle form. I wrote tonight's blog about the PC and Apple versions of the Kindle reader.

There are lots and lots of talented people here on Lumber Jocks. I am sure that some of you have thought about compiling your blog posts into a book, and the more I learn about it, the more excited I get. The one problem I see is that there are lots of people who don't have a Kindle. So now it is possible for anyone with a computer to get a reader and download books.

I know that many people here like reading, or you wouldn't be here, because there are lots of words. So if you want to play with the Kindle on your computer, feel free to check out my blog today. Or if you prefer, I will just give you the links to the site, so you can download your own Kindle reader.

1) My blog: http://extremelyaverage.com/2010/10/word-of-the-day/
2) Kindle for PC: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311
3) Kindle for Apple: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&ref_=amb_link_272409822_2&docId=1000464931

Ok, I am off to see if there are any good books on woodworking. If not, well I am sure we can write some. :)

Brian
 
#1,663 ·
Brian,

I am an avid Kindle user but am also a book publisher so I am always learning new things about the publishing business. I had been considering publishing to Kindle format when I ran into Smashwords. I know, the name may scare you off but it is an excellent publishing tool that you might consider for your purposes. It allows you to publish a book in one format and then they convert it to multiple formats, including Kindle, making your book available to most users even as a pdf for their computer. You might want to check it out.
 
#1,667 ·
Time to learn something new...

Hello All,

I didn't get very far today, but getting started was half the battle. I have decided that the table I want to build, will have a drawer. That decision was difficult to reach, as it would have been easier to do one without. I have been fearing the drawer for along time, but it is time to get after it.

Tonight I got a late start, but it was a start none the less. It felt good to get back into the shop, even if some of my tools were unhappy with how much time I have NOT beens spending with them.

http://su.pr/6pOknL

Brian
 
#1,683 ·
Dovetail Cutting

Hello,

So I did the pins last night and tonight was very fired up for the tails. It didn't go as planned, but I got some good photos. I am choosing to look at the positive.

The Blog is Up, which is surprising considering the difficulties I had today. But I am still happy!

http://su.pr/4TNPgT

Brian
 
#1,684 ·
nice blog Brian
but you shuold realy make those dovetail smaller so Donna and Manfred
realy can give you a dancing lesson on the stage as they sopose to do for you
and I´m sure they wuold love to give you such a performens that is matching
the royal ballet compagny in copenhagen when they make the svanelake

take care
Dennis
 
#1,685 ·
No woodworking tonight...

Hello All,

I like to give an honest preview of my blog, and the realities are I just didn't get any woodworking done today. I did write a blog piece, but it may not be of any interest to those who like my woodworking foibles.

Still Optimistic

http://su.pr/1GqweF

I wrote a piece about Optimism on Tues, after some bad news, I am still happy.

Brian
 
#1,686 ·
I lost a lot of information back in the mid-ninety's, then again in 2000. ALL due to my own ignorance. Since then I no longer rely on automated,self doing, packaged software. I make my own copies of information monthly (At worst I may loose 30 days of info) the rest is on storage discs. It seems like a hassle, BUT SO WAS loosing everything I thought I was protected from !
Hope you will get back your info and pictures soon. (We all know your tools will be willing to pose for new photo op.)
 
#1,688 ·
They are better than mine.
OH, have you ever seen photo of my dovetails. NO !
I have machine, nice brand new dovetail templates, dowetail router bit, fine cut hand saw, good chisels. I HAVE never made a dovetail in 34 years. What color is my red face now, I am embarrased !
 
#1,694 ·
Half Blind Dovetail Success

Hello All,

I felt terrible that I was unable to include a picture in yesterday's blog. I cut another half blind, for the other side of the drawer and it turned out even better. So though I don't have my Nikon, I used my iphone to take a photo for tonight's blog.

I also included a new poll widget on my blog. I want your opinion on how much I should charge for my Kindle version of Henry Wood. I will be keeping all the chapters up on the blog, so it will always be available for free. I don't care if you don't have a Kindle or not. I just want people to give their gut vote. It would help a bunch.

http://extremelyaverage.com/2010/10/half-blind-success/

Thanks for your help,

Brian

p.s. I am also considering a contest to promote the book. The prize would be tiny box. Feel free to comment on my contest ideas or suggest your own.
 
#1,703 ·
A bit more practice

Hello All,

I always feel badly when I post in here, if my blog isn't about woodworking. Tonight it is! The last week has been almost entirely about getting the Kindle book ready, but now that I am back home, I made it down into the shop. Another half blind dovetail cut and I feel good about it. I also have a guess the photo contest. No prize though, but it might still be fun. It might not be fun…I don't know…it is the sort of thing I enjoy though.

http://su.pr/2yNhuJ

Brian
 
#1,709 ·
Blog is up

Hello,

My blog, entitled 'Gutter Gunk', is up. There is some woodworking and some house maintenance chores, in this issue. No pictures though, as the gunk I was pulling from the gutters, wasn't very photogenic. I am sorry. But I am pleased to have them clean, and I can now glue up the ikebana, and consider it done.

http://su.pr/2axwiE

Brian
 
#1,712 ·
Bubbles

Hello,

I had some bubbles in the latest coat of shellac I applied. I think this may be rather common when applying shellac, though I can't be sure. I have only applied 3 coats, and maybe it is the foam brushes which are the problem. Anyway, I was about to glue up the ikebana, when I saw the bubbles, so I need to sand them out, and apply some more shellac. It is only a minor setback. On the upside, I figured out the code for how to do a NCX table of contents, for my Kindle book. That makes me happy.

http://su.pr/2nsrA4

Brian
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top