LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Ponderings

65K views 336 replies 80 participants last post by  Tomcat1066 
#1 ·
The Great Wide Open

So.

I just put a bid on a #71 router plane on ebay. I have my #4 and #5 within arms reach, as is the POS block plane I bought from Tractor Supply Company that is better than I thought it would be. My Japanese saws are just outside of my reach, as are my chisels. Since my workshop is in a house I'll be moving to, I have no where else to put them. That's OK. I like having them nearby. It makes me feel like I'm working toward my goal of being a woodworker.

There is some trepidation though. I'm worried that the project I have outlined will be far more difficult than I expected. That I will be unable to do the work I have envisioned in my head. It's a real fear for me, one that has a basis in the fact that nothing I have ever tried to do has worked out as I have envisioned it. I've been known to have that problem.

There are a couple of differences this time though. My previous projects that didn't go so well were home improvement/home repairs. I usually bit off more than I could chew, and ultimately had to admit defeat. This time, I may have done the same, but there is no wife to be inconvenienced by the lack of a shower, or a roof missing off the laundry room. At worst, her entertainment center will be delayed a bit. If I get bogged down, I can set the piece aside (figuratively…there's not enough room to do it literally, depending on the piece), and think about it. I can practice a new technique on scrap wood if I have to until I know WTF I'm doing.

Is there still some fear that I will be a failure at this? Yes. However, that's irrelevant for me. Fear has been present before every great journey in history. Every great achievement in the history of mankind has had some element of fear. The Wright Brothers, Edison, Erik the Red, Niel Armstrong, John Glenn, etc. All had some element of fear to their work prior to their achievements being realized.

I guess I'm just rambling on here. Without a shop, I can't exactly go play with wood, so instead I get to ramble on here with you good folks. I hope you don't mind to much ;)
 
See less See more
#167 ·
The Most Important Tool

There's always talk of what tool is the most important in any workshop. Is it the table saw, or the router, or the bandsaw? Well, as a hand tool guy, I'm screwed if it's any of those. Nope…I think the most important tool is one that never shows up on the lists of important tools.

It's easily upgradeable to some extent. No matter what you need it to do, with a little research and perseverance, it will rise to the occasion. This tool will never let you down unless you let it.

It's even electrical. I know, and that's hard to say since I'm a hand tool kind of guy. But the facts are facts, and this thing uses electricity, though much less than a PM2000.

The thing is, you can't loan it to another woodworker. Not only would you never get it back, but you physically can't loan it to them, though they can make use of it from time to time.

It's the ulitmate set-up tool. Without it, setting up any task would be impossible.

This tool, this wonder of engineering, can't be bought at Grizzly or Amazon. It's not on sale at Lee Valley or anywhere else for that matter. You can't buy it, but that's OK. You don't need to. It's in it's protective case, with you right now.

Your brain. It does all these things, and much more. Your brain is what helps you recall how someone told you to cut dados with hand tools, or how to make a raised panel for your cabinet doors. It's also the tool that helps you figure out how to do something for the first time when you're drawing a complete blank. It might not be revolutionary, this technique you devise, but it's yours. You worked that out…you and your most important tool!

The funny thing is, since we all have this tool, we tend to forget it. On many forums, people default to a power tool solution when the question is specifically about hand tools. Other times, they default to buying a shiny new tool since you don't have a tool that does it automatically already. For generations, craftsmen have build quality furniture with hand tools. Then, they started incorporating power tools into their shops. So, when someone wants to know how to make mortises without a router because they can't afford a decent one, we (collective "we") shouldn't be telling them to save up and buy a router. Why not tell them to use a forstner bit and their drill, or an auger bit, or just use their chisels?

If we did, then this person would get a chance to upgrade their most important tool, so that next time their answer won't be to spend hard earned money on a tool, it'll be to figure out how to make do with what they have.

But maybe I'm the only one who'd rather see this world. I think I've already established that I'm a "outside the box" kind of thinker ;)
 
#174 ·
The Slippery Slope

As of right now, I have completed exactly one woodworking project. I've restored tools to working condition, sure, but only one time thus far have I put steel to wood and create something. However, now I have tons of projects flying through my head. I want to build a simple box, just as an excuse to cut dovetails and get used to them. I have my 2×12 bench challenge. I've got tons upon tons of ideas flowing through my head. Honestly, I'll probably forget most of the before I ever have a chance to actually build them! And that, dear friends, is the slippery slope in my title.

I can easily see me jumping from one project to the next without finishing the previous one. I'll have to be focused on that project until/unless I get stuck and need that break BADLY! Even then, I have to give myself a timeline to get me back on track. Otherwise, I'll have tons of half finished projects, and with my shop situation being what it is, that's a very bad thing.

So, that leaves me with what to do. My thoughts on this are pretty straight forward. Design whatever ideas pop into my head. Draw it out, and hold onto it. As I learn more, I'll see some of these drawings again and realize it isn't feasible. Perhaps it's not strong enough, or perhaps it's over engineered. Who knows, but at least then the ideas aren't lost forever.

All I want it so make good, quality stuff. I'm not worried about the rest, like fortune or fame. If stuff like that is meant to be, it'll be. I doubt it is, and that's really cool. I just want to make stuff that will outlast my grandkids. Is that so much to ask for?
 
#175 ·
I spend a lot of time contemplating projects ("I create all my own designs and it looks like it"). I sketch a lot and ponder not just the sketch but the actual process. What order should I make the cuts. How am I going to hold the item while I make the cuts. Is there any way to clamp this? Will I need to create any jigs? etc. I usually have several of these mental projects going on at one time. Finally one of them will come together. I'll know how I going to do it so I just jump right in and get busy. I usually only have one "in the shop project" going at a time. Having a clear plan helps me keep the momentium so I actually finish. I just follow the steps I've worked out in my head.

If it is a pretty straight forward process I'll go with my final wood choice. If there are some tricky areas or things I can't quite visualize, I'll do a prototype in pine or mdf to work out the processes and see what design elements I like best before I chew up a bunch of expensive wood.

I'm doing a very simple Valentine's box now ( I know, I'm late ) and I'll include my design thoughts when I post it.
 
#184 ·
The Certain Feeling

I don't smile much. Well, let me rephrase that. I smile all the time, but only when amused, so it's always obvious why I'm smiling. I'm not one of those people you will see smiling for no obvious reason. I need a reason to smile, and honestly that leaves a lot of time when I'm not smiling at all.

That was, until yesterday. I started building my bench. I put in about 6 hours yesterday, and was frankly exhausted by the time I went in for the day. As a newbie, I figure 6 hours is a long, long time. The odd thing was why I called it a day. I needed my spokeshave for the next part, and frankly it was as dull as Forrest Gump on Quaalude's after a fifth of vodka. I knew that, by the time I sharpened it and got it set up correctly, it would be about supper time anyways. It just seemed the logical point to call it a day.

My wife was pretty proud of me, so she took me to dinner (free food is good). When I got home, I collapsed in the bed with the TV on and watched design shows on HGTV (shhhh…don't tell! Let's keep this between us). While laying there, during a commercial even, I caught myself just smiling. I'm physically wiped out, but I've got this goofy smile.

This smile was for a variety of reasons, I suspect. One is that I started a project that, I think, will kick much butt when it's done. Two was the fact that I'm pushing myself to try new things with this project. Granted, as a newbie, everything is a "new thing", but I could have been content just building a rough outdoor bench that no one would have looked down on for being "not pretty", but that's just not my style. I want people to oo and ah over this thing, and it to be legitimate oo's and ah's. In short, I want a kick butt piece. So, I'm forcing myself to learn new things in building this.

Now, originally, this was going to just be a simple bench. Nothing fancy. Well, it's still not "fancy", just more challenging. It's a challenge I'm not backing down from, and I'm not rushing through. That's always been an issue for me, rushing through things. I wanted the result, not the process so much. This time, however, I seem content to let the process happen. What makes one a "woodworker"? It's working with wood. Not necessarily having furniture in your home that you built, though that's a nice bonus for some of us. I'm a woodworker…not a pretender or a wannabe, but an honest to God woodworker.

If that's not reason enough for me to smile, then what is?
 
#193 ·
Staying the Course?

I'm tired. Only two days of working on my bench, and I'm tired. Physically, right now, I'm well rested. There's a little stiffness in my hand that will get worked out as soon as I get out there and start working, but I'm tired. The thing is, I now have a newfound appreciation for tools like bandsaws and table saws. A bandsaw would have made some of the cuts I needed a lot better than the jig saw. A table saw would finish up those tenons I have on tap today like they were nothing.

I've known I wanted a band saw to be added to the arsenal for a while now. Not just any bandsaw, but a big beefy monster that can resaw anything I throw at it. However, the table saw is starting to throw me a bit. I had looked at an inexpensive Jet a while back, and the RIGID contractor saw looked really nice as well. But necessity had me looking at hand tools. Now, I'm having to rethink that.

You see, I found that I made some pretty uneven cuts with the circular saw. Sure, I could have built a fence, but the bench was a "project on a whim" sort of thing. I didn't want to have to build a ton of jigs just to get to the point I could actually build something. A table saw with a good fence is ready to go for these types of projects. Even a band saw could have done some of what I wanted.

Here's the plan though. A band saw, first and foremost after I have a place to put it (hoping to have a real shop in the next few months…maybe. After I have that and use it, I can reevaluate whether I need the table saw or not.

On the good side, after shaping the legs, I wasn't asking myself if I needed a router…I just figured I needed a better spokeshave :D
 
#199 ·
Being to Hasty

I've always been a bit of an extremist I guess. No, I don't strap bombs to my chest and blow up stuff that I'm ideologically against. I just tend to go toward some extreme subculture of any hobby I get into. My other passion is backpacking. There, I'm what they call an ultralight backpacker. Minimal equipment, minimal weight, and admittedly minimal comfort. However, I have a blast with that extreme.

When I first looked into woodworking, I was leaning toward being a Normite. Table saw, planer, jointer, band saw, router table, the works. I wanted it all. However, my grandmother passing away threw that into a tizzy. You see, my current home has an 16×20 building in back that would work well for a shop. In fact, that's really what it's supposed to be since it has a garage door, but no way to get a car back there. However, the neighborhood isn't that great. When my grandmother passed away, it left her half of the duplex she owned empty, my mother living on the other side. Mom confessed she doesn't want to be a landlord, and asked if we would move in there. Considering the longer we live in this neighborhood, the higher the likelihood I'll end up shooting someone, it was a no-brainer.

Because I was looking at a 6'x6' shop, power tools didn't look feasible to me. Someone suggested hand tools, and they are a wonderful idea. I started leaning more and more toward the fringes…the Neanderthal extreme. I accumulated vintage tools like there was no tomorrow! I got some great tools, and some so-so tools and a couple of pieces that work only marginally better than the pile that comes out of a dog's sphincter. Each has been a lesson for me, one that I'm thankful for, truth be told.

However, after working on the bench a bit, I'm left pondering if I went toward hand tools to quickly. Granted, I used mostly hand held power tools, but they weren't ideal. They were decent tools that did what I asked, but with the exception of planing, my hand tools have been less than ideal this time out. My chisels apparently dulled to quickly. My Japanese saw was the least pleasant thing I've done on this project, up to and including the large gouge on my thumb. Basically, some of this just hasn't been that much fun.

My block plane performed extremely well. My spokeshave eventually stepped up and did well also. The shaping of those legs is a point of pride for me. However, I'm now left wondering if I was to hasty about other things. A table saw and a band saw would have performed much better than my circular saw and jig saw.

I've got some soul searching to do when this project is finished. I have to decide how best to set up. Chris Schwarz and many other hand tool folks are fans of blended woodworking, and I see their point now as well. There are some things that may be hard to beat as far as power tools go, and I have to decide if I want to try and beat them.

Also, I have to be sure this isn't just a reaction to a setback. I need to ensure that this is for a good reason, rather than a "I got hurt so hand tools suck" sort of thing (extreme example, I assure you, but you get the point). Balance needs to be important. Working with wood needs to be enjoyable, and if I'm going to get frustrated with the tools, then I need to figure something else out, don't you agree?
 
#200 ·
only you know the answer.
You say that ultralight backpacking isn't comfortable and yet you love that.
your hand tools weren't comfortable… but do the benefits outweigh the "uncomfortableness" for you?

What IS your goal for woodworking?
Ah the joys of choices!! :)

I hope you sleep well tonight and wake up with your answers :)
 
#212 ·
Where to start back

So, I find myself here contemplating how to get back working on wood. I've spent so long painting and patching drywall at this point that I frankly am having to start from scratch to some extent. So, I figured I'd ramble on a bit here because I know how great the advice has always been here.

With Christmas coming up, I had thought of building a tool tote for my son, to go along with a few tools I'm buying for him to work on his own projects. I still want to build my sister-in-law that hope chest as well. This still doesn't come close to addressing the fact that I'll need a workbench!

However, one overriding thing to keep in mind skill. I frankly lacked it before my hiatus, and skill is lost when you're not using it. I need to relearn how to do a few things and simply learn how to do more. As such, I'm thinking the workbench might be a bit out of reach for the time being. If I do it, I want to do it right, so I'll probably hold off for a bit there.

The tool tote looks like the simplest project, so I guess that's a good place to start. I have to figure out the best method for joining the sides, and I want to build something in there for chisels to sit in, preventing him from accidentally cutting himself on them. Of course, I'm not sure how wise it is to buy him chisels in the first place, but that's another topic for another time.

I haven't had a chance to look at any tool tote designs, so I'm not even sure what's out there on the 'net, though I suspect there's plenty. Any advice anyone wants to offer would be greatly appreciated. The only thing I know I want from this is to learn, so I've already ruled out the tote ends at Lee Valley. I already can do that one ;)
 
#213 ·
TC it is good to see your "ponderings" again.

One suggestion I would have is to take a look at Sketchup, if you haven't already done so. I am still on the steep side of the learning curve but am finding that it is very useful in helping me to "picture" what I am trying to build. As a bonus building it electronically helps iron out some of the difficulties that I would have encountered if I simply started making sawdust.

The tool tote does sound like a good project. You can make this as complex and elaborate as you want. At one time this served as a form of advertisement for the quality of work that a woodworker was capable of producing. Here is one that has been posted here. While it does not appear to be what you are after it may be a useful starting point.

Hope this helps.
 
#220 ·
The Problem with B&D Firestorm Stuff

I'm shopping on the 'net earlier today and found myself at the BORGs' sites. I'm in the market for a new jig saw and a router (yeah…need a few tailed apprentices to make woodworking a bit more enjoyable for the time being). One of the saws was the Black & Decker jig saw. At about $60 less than the Dewalt or Bosch I was looking at, it had all the same features or a few more.

Here's the problem. None of the specs actually tells you how it works in the grand scheme of things. For example, I have two other Firestorm tools. My compound miter saw is Firestorm as is my circular saw. The circular saw had some issues ripping a 2×12. The miter saw has given me no problems. at all, but it's only been on one project, a couple of raised garden beds for my Mom.

According to the specs, these tools should be able to do anything the more expensive ones do. However, is that really the case? The thing is, since I need a router also as well as knowing I'll need a new circular saw down the road, it's really hard to pass these up. Granted, it's easier now that I know the circular saw can't handle rips like I'd prefer (though I'm debating about picking up a good rip blade and see if that makes a difference), but it's still there.

So, I'm now trying to figure out which tools I'll need for my next project and make sure I've got what I need for it. I figure that rather than buy up everything I'll need now (handheld power tool wise), I'll get the minimum for this next project, then purchase what new items I'll need for the next one.

Now…to figure out what's next…
 
#221 ·
Get the Bosch and cry once. Cheap jigsaws are unable to keep the blade tracking properly, and have a tendency to stall/bind in all but the thinnest of materials, it will also vibrate a ton and produce jagged cuts (the bosch has a zero clearance insert). I used to have a cheapo jigsaw but honestly it's night and day.
 
#231 ·
Grand Plans and Harsh Reality

I'm a man with a dream. That dream is a beautiful tool cabinet that makes all others pale in comparison. Yes, it's a piece of shop furniture, but I want it to be built and styled the same way I would any high priced commission. I want a piece that will withstand the test of time and can be a source of pride for my family for generations to come. And really…that's only part of the dream.

The harsh reality is that I don't really know how to build it yet. I'm still working on the layout of everything, and plan to consult the Lee Valley tool cabinet plans for some inspiration, but ultimately I still have a lot I'll have to learn for this to work. I keep thinking of the H.O. Studley tool cabinet I first saw almost a year ago. This tool storage device is a work of art in it's own right. Studley was a piano maker, and the materials he used reflected that. Mahogeny carcase, ebony accents, ivory inlay, it's truly a thing of beauty. The materials alone are beyond my ability to get…mostly because ivory is illegal now, but still.

I dream of this cabinet, and someday those dreams will be realized. In truth, this cabinet will probably take me months to build once it's begun, and I'll have to learn tons of new skills just to complete it. Joinery will probably be everything from biscuits and pocket screws to mortise & tenon and dovetails. Oak panel and frame construction (to help withstand the moisture changes from being outside under a canopy). Veneered and/or inlayed drawers on the inside. Carved ebony handles on the exterior (and a lock since it'll be outside!).

Here's the thing though. I could easily say "I can't do it because I don't know how", but I don't want to do that. I want to build amazing things. You don't do amazing things by saying "can't" in any form except "I can't be stopped!" I'll be learning all these techniques. I'll be refining them and using them. Then, when the time is right, my cabinet will be complete. My magnum opus.

Sounds pretty pretentious, right? It might be. However, I want to build a lot of other things too. A new coffee table, bedroom furniture, an island for the kitchen, and a bunch of other stuff. Who knows what order it'll be in. But it'll get built, and if I take my time, I'll create some amazing pieces that will last for generations to come.

I really wish we had more of that kind of thinking in this world. Both the idea of having and holding on to well built, quality furniture and the idea of accompishing great things. I can't help but think of where the world would be if we did have more of it.
 
#232 ·
I have to agree. Problem that we face however is the Walmant generation. I want it now for this much. Most people don't truly understand what goes into building something that will last for years.

Nothing wrong with being pretentious, as long as you can prove it. I wish you and your quest well.
 
#241 ·
The End Result Versus The Process

My hand tools have been a bit frustrating, and I think I know why. Partially because they need some more sharpening, but that's not all. There's a good bit more sitting beneath the surface, waiting to be exposed, and more and more work with wood has started exposing that to me. I think I've finally realized the issue, and now it's time to deal with the long, expensive journey to fix that.

Working outside like I'm forced to do, weather becomes a major factor in anything I do. This past weekend's rain made it difficult for me to work on my stocking/coat hanger. Finally I said "screw it" and sharpened my hand saw and went to work on the screened in back porch. It was still damp in there, so I was concerned about firing up any kind of power saw. I couldn't get the cuts I wanted with my saws. My hand saw cut wandered a bit, but my coping saw cuts were just awful. Finally I just said screw it with that piece, carefully inspected my circular saw for any king of moisture and the outlet outside as well. Both being dry, I fired it up and cut another piece of pine. This time I just chamfered the edges with my block plane. That worked out OK, but was a bit plane (no pun intended).

Yes, I probably need a lot more work with my hand tools. Yes, it's a process to learn them correctly. Yes, I've been out of it for a while now and things aren't going to go as smoothly as I may like. However, the whole process made me evaluate what I want out of woodworking. I love old tools, and I love restoring them, but is that enough? Is that, in and of itself, woodworking? Personally, I think that's a hobby unto itself, and therefore it's not actually woodworking…but close.

What I'm interested in is the art of woodworking. I want to create works that I can look at and wonder "I made that?" That question should be echoed by every one of my friends who see that…for a while. After a time, I could show them some amazing piece by Sam Maloof or David Marks and their reaction would be "Of course you made that" because they no longer think anything is impossible for me to build. I'm interested in creating strong, sturdy pieces of furniture that last for the rest of my life, my son's life and his great-great grand children's life if at all possible. I love seeing a project come together before my eyes and I love being able to solve a technical difficulty in my mind, only to see it come to fruition afterwards.

So, it's time to build up my arsenal of power tools. I won't be turning my back completely on hand tools though, so no worries there, but it's time to round out my equipment. I once wrote a blog about boundaries, and how I needed to get past those, and yet all this time I had been living with a self imposed boundary of hand tools. I'm making good money now, and have enough disposable income to pick up some decent power tools, so now it's time to knock down that boundary. It's time to kick in the door and let the piece dictate the technique to me, and no one else, but not the other way around. It's time to be available to as much opportunity as humanly possible.

After my stocking/coat hanger project, I need to build a bookcase for my mother. She probably broke her foot putting together one of those cheap-o things that she got a Big Lots this past weekend (she goes to an orthopedic doctor tomorrow to find out if she did), and to keep her from trying the other one, I had to promise to build her one out of real wood. Frankly, I need to build two because the one she managed to put together looks far to flimsy to be trusted with anything actually on it for a prolonged period of time. As such, I figure a router is where I need to concentrate my effort first, but after that I'm drawing a blank.

I have a few ideas though, but I'll share them another time.
 
#242 ·
A very interesting "Ah Ha" moment. Restrictions are good if they are in the form of discipline, but they can be a real hinderance to growth if they are arbitrary. Your journey has been worth following.

As for tools, if you haven't got a good jig saw, and you're limited to portability, that's where I'd go next after the router.
 
#253 ·
Table Saw Versus Bandsaw

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Luckily, I was finally able to make mine. As many of you know, i'm extremely space limited. Any stationary power tools (a) can't be stationary and (b) must fit within a 6'x6' room that also contains a freezer and hot water heater. Granted, at some point I'd like to convert to a tankless hot water heater, but that's a subject for another day. This space limitation is part of the reason I focused early on hand tools. Let's face it, a rip and cross cut hand saw takes up a lot less space than a table saw. Any can see that.

However, I personally don't enjoy hand sawing for length or width, so why should I do it? We do have power saws out there that will do a lot of this work for us thankfully. Of course, if you enjoy doing that by hand, more power to you. I honestly wish I did. It doesn't take nearly as much time as people think, but it wasn't something I particularly enjoyed in my attempts. Still, I'll try again (especially since I not only didn't enjoy it, but sucked at it as well ;) ). All this to talk about my selection between the two saws.

For me, I've decided on the bandsaw to start with. For me, it was the versatility having the bandsaw would give to me, versus the table saw. The ability to resaw boards, cutting curves on thicker stock, as well as still having the ability to rip and crosscut boards. I love furniture with curves, and personally think the bandsaw will serve my purposes well.

Now, first I want to be clear that I'm not knocking the table saw. There is a lot it does very well. However, I haven't been able to figure out anything that the table saw can do that can't be replicated with other tools to some extent (though maybe not nearly as well). Sheet goods can be broken down with a circular saw and a straight edge, a fence, or a guide. Dados can be cut with a router. Repeated crosscuts can be done with a miter saw and a jig.

In my dream shop, it's obvious that I would have both. However, I don't have my dream shop, and I'm not likely to ever have it. As we let the current credit crisis pass (my credit is improving but past mistakes are still being cleaned up by me, hence having to wait), I hate the idea of being without some means of woodworking. To build a shop that could probably house the shop I'd be happy with, it would take more money than I can easily get my hands on. I can possibly enclose a portion of the back porch (depending on the building codes and such), but i won't be nearly big enough to do all I'd like, which is why I felt I had to pick one.

Of course, this could all change by this time next week ;)
 
#254 ·
Given your space limitations going with a bandsaw is a good choice. You can do a number of the same operations on it as you can a table saw and it is inherently safer to operate when compared with a table saw. Obviously the best solution is to have them both but if you are faced with an either/or scenario the bandsaw is, in my opinion, the more versatile tool and it has a much smaller footprint as well.
 
#272 ·
So Many Sketches That I Think I'm A Painter Or Something!

I hate it, but then again I don't. I get random ideas for pieces of furniture that run through my head and I have to at least jot down a rough sketch or else I'll lose something, and I really don't want to do that. I don't want to lose the table I came up with to house the onyx chessboard I inherited from my Uncle when he passed away (he was only 12 years older than me…we were more like brothers). I don't want to lose the entertainment center with doors based on some of my favorite works from Mondrian, my favorite artist. I don't want to lose any of these things.

The trouble is, I'm beginning to wonder how I'll ever build them all. But, let's face it, that's half the fun.

After the bookcase for Mom, I'm probably going to build something like a step stool that TChisel posted on Sawmill Creek as a possible contest idea. Frankly, it's all dovetails which looks interesting to me, so I'll put that one together. But after that, I'm thinking of giving my chess table a shot. It'll take some skills I don't have, and I still have to figure out the best way to make the legs, but after I draft it out in detail (oh how I wish I could use sketchup!), I'll post it here and give my thoughts. The biggest issue I can think of is getting my hands on thick enough wood, but I'll deal with that hurdle when it gets here.

So many pieces, so little time.

And to think that all of this is really the result of pushing my mind to come up with things I've never seen before.
 
#275 ·
Another Year Older

Almost a year ago, I came to LumberJocks for the first time. In that time, I've learned a bunch and met a lot of cool people. I've developed a great deal, despite my few projects. Since it's Christmas Eve, I thought I'd take a moment and reflect on some things I've come to understand.

1. There's More Than One Way To Skin A Cat

I've heard this saying all my life, but no where is it truer than in woodworking. Think of something like a dado. You can use a table saw. You can use a router. You can use a router plane. You can use a dado plane. You can use a chisel. I mean, there's tons of solutions to almost any problem. There are few things that can only be accomplished one way, and that's really a great thing in my opinion.

2. Limits Are Often Self Imposed

I've been pretty guilty of this one myself. Saying I'm going to use only hand tools, when there's no reason to stick completely to them. Looking at various styles of furniture to figure out what I want to make. There was no reason why I had to impose these limits upon myself, but I was donig it, just as plain as day. Limits are fine if you choose them yourself. If you just like Greene & Greene furniture, then more power to you. However, to limit yourself to one style just because you think you should? That's just silly.

3. Woodworkers Are Amongst The Nicest People

I broke the 1/4" collet on my router about a week ago. I mentioned this on a forum, and a member asked me to PM him my address and he'd send me one. It got here yesterday. I offered to pay for postage, and I still haven't received word how much or where to send it. Why? My guess is that woodworkers, as a whole, are just happy to help one another accomplish their goals. Maybe it pushes them to accomplish more of theirs. Maybe they just like helping one another. All in all, who cares? The important thing to remember is the number of woodworkers who give and give. From T-Chisel who gives his time to show how to accomplish his various techniques, to those who send some schmuck a collet for their router.

4. I Genuinely Hope Everyone Has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!!!!! Thanks for letting me be part of your life on the 'net, and thanks for being part of mine!
 
#276 ·
Well said, and I couldn't agree more with each of your observations. I've learned quite a variety of techniques here and learned that limits were mostly artificial. And, most of all, I can't say I've met a more generous group of people than those on this site.

A Merry Christmas to you and yours.
 
#283 ·
Do We Ever Have Enough Stuff?

A bookcase. Seems like such a simple project. I looked at the tools I had, or were going to get anyways, and I either had it or could get one inexpensively. So, I made out some rough plans in my head. I've had a ton of help with the actual design over on T-Chisel's forum. The design discussion was mostly on specifics, nothing that required new tools (perhaps new router bits, but that's a continuing thing for life I suspect). And yet, every time I turn around, I find more and more stuff that seems to be a necessity!

Do we ever have enough tools and gadgets? I know we never have enough clamps, and I've just come to terms on that one, but the other stuff? Miller dowels look like a good way to help support the bookcase shelves (I plan on using dados as well), so I order some with the Lee Valley gift card my wife and son gave me for Christmas (the card with it said "Have a Merry Woodworking Christmas!" What's not to love here?) I figure that even if I don't use them on this one, they'll work well for something else. I seem to find tons of stuff I want/need and still don't have and can't imagine when I'll actually get it!

Here's what I have to keep in mind. Tools don't make the craftsman. Like I pointed out the other day, there's more than one way to skin a cat in woodworking, so if you don't have a $500 dovetail jig, you can get a dovetail saw inexpensively (I'd go with the Veritas saw, but plenty have had good results with a gent's saw) and hand cut them bad boys. If you want though, there's nothing wrong with spending the cash on that $500 jig. There's very few "wrong" answers in this game.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you don't need "stuff" to do good work. You need that tool between your ears more than anything, and feed in knowledge, and gain experience, and you'll be just fine. Me? I don't have that experience thing just yet, so I'm trying to overcompensate with "stuff" :D
 
#284 ·
I LOVE TOOLS! But most importantly, I love using my tools.

As a business, the parameters within which I decide to buy my tools is different than anybody that is enjoying woodworking as a hobby. Tools make me money. The faster and more accurately that I can accomplish a task, the more profit I stand to make.

If you are not trying to make money, then time may not be as much of an issue. I personally could live with a whole lot less if I was not trying to make money.

As I work in my shop sometimes I stop and marvel. Whenever I need something, I reach under the table or to the shelf and I pull it out. I love my tools!
 
#288 ·
Reflections on 2008

So, we find ourselves with only a few hours left in 2008 (here in the US. Elsewhere, it may be 2009 already!)

Personally, I'd like to take a moment and think of what 2008 has been for me. To start with, it was the first full year without my Grandmother. I miss her terribly. I don't have a big family, so every loss hurts that much more. I had hoped to build her a piece of furniture. Unfortunately, that wasn't meant to be. Still, since her father was a woodworker himself, I can't help but think she would approve of the bookcase I'm building for my Mom.

Much of 2008 was spent going through her stuff and getting her old home ready for me and my family to move in. This was one of her wishes, conveyed to my Mom before she went in the hospital. We were finally able to move in just before Halloween. My grandmother didn't throw away much in her life apparently…she still had all kinds of stuff from my grandfather who died in 1982 and my uncle who died in 2001.

However, once I was in the house, my thoughts returned to woodworking. I was able to complete a simple project of my stocking hanger and frankly I'm tickled about that. That went from concept to design to execution very quickly. It may not be as fancy as many of the projects here on LumberJocks, but it was a start. I have been able to approach the bookcase project with a lot more confidence because of it.

In 2008 I was promoted at work, with the associated pay raise. This was just a few weeks ago, while the economy was going in the toilet. So far, so good as far as jobs go.

My son was accepted into the gifted program in the local school system and has been having a blast. He has to maintain an 86 average to stay in there, but with 86 being his lowest grade this year it seems, that shouldn't be a problem. I'm glad too, because he's learning a lot and he doesn't even realize it.

Also this year I had a cool PM conversation with good old T-Chisel. Frankly, I count Tommy as a friend now, despite his insistence that the Celtics are going to win it all (the smart money is on the Hawks after all ;)). His early videos annoyed me for some reason, and I thought poor things of him. But the fact of the matter is he is a skilled craftsman and his willingness to share his knowledge with no thought to profit shows his true character. Frankly, I think the reason he rubbed me wrong to start with is because he's a lot like me :D

However, one of the great things that happened to me in 2008 was joining LumberJocks. I've communicated with a great many people from all over the world about the one subject that really doesn't know national or political boundaries…wood. Thousands of projects to admire and draw inspiration from, and thousands of craftsman and artisans to learn techniques from. The wealth of information available is second to none in my opinion. This is what Facebook and MySpace pretend to be. They think of themselves as social networking sites, but in truth they're high school popularity sites. LumberJocks is different…it's people with a common interest getting together and discussing their passion.

Frankly, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

To one and all, I'd like to wish you a happy new year! May 2009 be short on disappointment and long on all that brings you joy!
 
#297 ·
An Open Letter About Safety

It was 365 days ago I posted my first blog here on LumberJocks. In that time, I took a prolonged hiatus in order to get my home finished so we could move in. However, in that 365 days, I learned a lot. Some of it has already been recounted. However, what I'd like to pass on to fellow woodworkers about safety equipment hasn't, so why not do so here?

To Whom It May Concern:

You don't know me from Adam's house cat. I'm just a fellow woodworker who makes use of various forms of safety equipment, just like you. I have safety glasses, ear muffs, and dust masks because my shop is outdoors so I can't run dust collection ducts. I'm also a new woodworker, but perhaps I can help you out.

Plenty of woodworkers who put their videos on the net don't wear proper safety equipment in those videos. Here at LumberJocks, we jump on…err…politely point out what is missing from the picture, sort of like "Where's Waldo" but with safety glasses. But, perhaps there's a solution to helping each other remember the safety equipment that folks may not have thought about.

If you go on some of the forums, Sawmill Creek as an example, and ask for advice on what table saw to buy, you're generally told to buy the best table saw you can afford. The same for bandsaw, router, jointer, etc. And yet, for things like dust masks, hearing protection, eye protection, etc, we tend to go fairly basic. We get things that will definitely do the job, don't get me wrong there, but perhaps we can do better.

What am I talking about?

Easy…instead of just getting safety equipment that will do the job, why not get safety equipment that's a pleasure to use? For example, my Peltor Worktunes ear muffs. It drowns out the power tool noise just fine. But I keep finding myself leaving them on in between using the tools, because of the radio inside. I'm rocking out and not disturbing the whole neighborhood…at least not with the music. Not only that, but they're on the next time I want to fire up.

I saw a review here on LumberJocks for a dust mask with a fan in it. It's apparently supposed to force air through, where as regular dust masks just become clogged up. This mask's fan has the added benefit of blowing cool air on the user's face. Again, this creates a benefit for keeping it handy besides the safety benefits.

Yes, I understand some folks reading this may believe that the safety reasons are plenty. However, perhaps added benefits are a great idea for the rest of us ;)
 
#298 ·
Safety is one thing that, as a rule, we tend to take for granted and apply up to the point of "inconvenience". It would be nice if we, as woodworkers, would adopt safer practices simply because it is the correct thing to do but, as you rightly implied, sometimes it takes some "sugar coating" to bribe us into following safer practices.

By the way, this is probably a day early since last year was a leap year, but congratulations on your first year anniversary.
 
#305 ·
Taking setbacks in stride.

Almost three years. That's a long time to walk away from something that had consumed so much of my time, money, and desires. However, that's what frustration will do to a man if you're not careful.

Since there are a lot of people who joined after my disappearance from this site, let me recap. I was trying to build a book case for my mother. I saw how it would go together and had the tools. The dad-blamed router was kicking my butt. Power tools are supposed to be easier, right? I stepped away for a day or so, then my "shop", which was nothing more than a pop-up gazebo thing, blew over and was wrecked. We got gusts that day of up to 65 mph and I hadn't bothered to anchor the thing down. Lesson learned.

As time droned on, my frustrations took hold and became "I suck at woodworking". I have no idea why, because in my projects are a couple of pretty cool projects. They're beginners projects but you know what? I'm still basically a beginner. I can't build a highboy because I have no clue how to build a bleeding highboy. But I can make a coat rack that looks pretty good and no one can tell is store bought. I made a saw vice that worked. That's got to count for something, right?

A couple of months ago, my wife said something about woodworking. I repeated that I sucked at it. She just glanced at that coat rack and said something to the effect of "that doesn't look like sucking". I prattled on like a whiny schoolgirl about how that was a simple thing, anyone could do it. She just said nothing, but the idea festered; the idea that maybe I didn't suck and really could do this woodworking thing.

Then, a little over a week ago, I got the word. What word was that? Oh, just the one that I'm going to be a father for the second time. My first thoughts - I mean after the "OK, wake up, manly men don't faint" that is - was that the baby was going to need furniture. That stuff is expensive after all. So why not build it….oh wait, that means I would have to build it. Time to get back into the shop…metaphorically anyways.

So now, I'm back. Lumberjocks was always a fantastic resource. Folks here are notoriously supportive of one another. Even the controversies here are small fry compared to what I run into in other aspects of my life (I run a political blog for one…talk about nasty :D ). This was the one place I knew I could return and find familiar faces and new friends as well.

Now, I need to get back to work. I have tools that have gotten rusty and I need to repair. At least I always enjoyed that part :)

The thing I think folks should keep in mind, that I most certainly didn't, was to take setbacks in stride even when they seem to lump one on top of another. Looking back, it's kind of pathetic that I let that get to me, but I remember at the time that things were horrendously bad and I just couldn't continue for the time being. Setbacks happen, both in woodworking and in life. It's how we deal with them that defines our character.
 
#306 ·
I can relate to your feelings, I often have felt that I have two left feet and unfortunately transplanted to where my hands should be…

I can tell you from experience that I left more than a few projects unfinished because I couldn't bear to deal with the lack of progress. I have since learned that not finishing the project leaves that confidence roadblock that prevents further ones from being developed. Good to walk away when frustrated, not good to leave it so long :) Glad you are back to it, good luck on the furniture.

David
 
#324 ·
The path to enlightenment

I'm a hand tool guy, at least for the most part. While I can see myself using power saws to break down stock, I'm just not interested in machine made joinery for the most part. I won't rule out pocket screws here or there, because they do serve a purpose, but for the most part I want my tenons and dovetails hand cut. I even want my mortises finished out by hand. The trick is learning how to really use the tools.

Once upon a time, as we all know, these hand tools were state of the art. They were used to build everything that went into a home…after they were used to build the home.

Today, that's not the case. We have table saws, band saws, power jointers, thickness planers, the works. What we still have today is craftsmanship. The truth of the matter is that the most equipped shop is useless in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use their tools. Hand tools are only ineffective under the same circumstances. But how does a guy who knows no other woodworkers in the general vicinity - much less hand tool types - acquire such skills?

Well, I haven't finished the book, but I'm leaning towards the path of enlightenment resting in the book The Joiner and the Cabinetmaker from Lost Arts Press.

I have little doubt that you've all heard of the book. Well, I've been reading it, in case you haven't. The book, for those who haven't read it yet, outlines three projects. Those three projects run in skill required from a packing box that is mostly just nailed together to a chest of drawers with half-blind dovetails. The book itself is centered around the story of a boy named Thomas who was a joiner's apprentice. It outlines all that he did in his progression from apprentice to journeyman. The path to enlightenment, if you will.

Some of the things Thomas does, I'm not going to worry about. I've straightened nails before, back when I worked construction right after I got out of the Navy. I'm not going to sweat keeping the glue hot because I'm not using that kind of glue. What I am going to do is learn from many of the same processes that Thomas does. He practices dovetails, so I will too, just to name an example.

Now, this won't do everything I want it to do, but it's part of the process. You see, I really don't want to try to make a chest of drawers on a Workmate. It just doesn't sound appealing in the least. However, a workbench and tool chest sound like great projects to build between the school box and the chest of drawers, don't you think?

Anyways, it's one approach. It worked almost 200 years ago, so it just might work now.

Of course, what's particularly telling is the use of nails in many of these pieces. I wouldn't have thought it, but there were plenty. This gives a guy like me hope :)
 
#325 ·
Nails are a good thing if you use them right.

What you describe is an apprenticeship, a form of learning that needs to come back in the states. I had the good fortune to apprentice as a jeweler and while I had to teach myself cabinetry, I approached it the same way. Apprentices don't get practice so much as practical experience. If you need to "practice" dovetails for instance…time to make a lot of cheap boxes (you'll find uses for them…trust me)...when it comes to making drawers you will already know what you need to.

The trick is to pick projects that matter in the end and can be examined for faults but can be @%$^#$ up without losing the will to keep working. Thus the progression from a packing box to a school-box to the dresser (although there would most likely be quite a few projects in between).

A simple workbench is not that hard and it makes for some great practical experience…just a thought.
 
#334 ·
H.O. Studley was a freak of nature

Most folks who love woodworking have seen the H.O. Studley tool chest. Well, Christopher Schwarz has been dropping video after video of it. He's actually there, with others, to document the chest for a book slated to come out in 2013. Yes, it's already on my list to buy. I'd pay now for the book.

I never thought I could be as blown away by anything as that chest…until Schwarz posted this:

https://lostartpress.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/h-o-studley%e2%80%99s-workbench-most-of-it-anyway/

Wow. Now that, my friends, is an incredibly looking bench. Of course, I have to ask - as I did in the comments - if Studley ever built a piano or just tweaked his tool chest and bench. These are absolutely incredible works for practical art that should, if nothing else, remind us of what all can be accomplished with wood and some hand tools.

I encourage you to check out the slide show of Schwarz's pictures of the bench. Absolutely incredible.

Edited to add that I misread Schwarz's post. The based was modeled after the chest, but was added later. A shame too…but it's still amazing either way.
 
#335 ·
Amazing!
Studly must have had help from the Gods.
The vise and dogs are incredible.
Schwartz does good camera work (if he's the photog). At any rate, bringing Studly's work to us in a book, with his woodworking knowledge coloring the text, will be awesome.
Many thanks for posting this. I'll certainly be watching for Schwartz's book.
 
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