Introduction

Welcome Sir. Anyone with your sense of humor will make it fine here. Probably the best thing to do is pick a project and ask around about how to do it. There is a lot of help available, just ask away.

Steve

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

Welcome James Ryan. You have found the right place for woodworking. A great group of people willing to help. ‘Reading tons of books and magazines’ on woodworking is a good way to start. Of course learning and reading about the safe way to use hand and power tools is most important. Looking forward to see your projects and comments. Have fun and work safe in the shop.

-- Ron in Osseo, Minnesota

Hi James,

If you love wood you are definately in the right place. The best way to learn how to use a tool is to put it into use.

As far as sharpening goes I struggled years with sharpening my chisels and plane irons. I used guides, stones, my grinder and sandpaper and never was able to get a truly sharp edge on my tools. (In fact I butchered some of my chisels trying to get an edge on them) I bought a Worksharp 3000 and out of the box produced a mirror finish on my chisels with which I could shave. For more info do a Worksharp search in the top right hand side of this page. A number of LJs have posted reviews about this system.

Hope this helps and welcome again.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Quite a list you got there. I’m sure you can find all the help you need here.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Seconding the Worksharp 3000, super easy, super sharp.

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

James, welcome and glad to see another real newbie here. Keep reading and keep asking lots of questions and try to have as much fun with it as possible.

-- Paul D, Atlanta GA

Do we have the same wife? Good to have you on board, love that sense of humor.

-- Thuan

James,

Welcome my new friend. I was once in your shoes. Reading is great. When I first started out, I desire to read and learn was unquenchable. Then, I came to a point, that I had all sorts of head knowledge but it wasn’t in the hands. I was very afraid to start cutting something. I used to say that the same term that could be used for my expertise in computers, cold also be used for my lack of expertise in woodworking. I was a “hacker”. I sat around and hacked away at expensive wood. Hence, lesson one, start on inexpensive wood. Poplars and pines. Then you don’t feel so bad, or your wallet doesn’t, when they hit the burn bin:)

Being a tool junkie, yes I admit it. I know, no one else is . . . I went out one day, many years ago, and bought all sorts of sharpening stones and jigs. They then sat on my shelf and collected dust for another year. One day, I needed a sharp chisel for something, so out came the stones and the jigs, AND the instructions, and away I went. A few hours latter I was frustrated. The stones went back into the draw, and I gave up. Fast forward a few months, I am at my local woodcraft store. There are lots of people gathered around this guy. As I pushed my way through to see what was happening, I’m not very tall, he was demonstrating the Tormek sharpening system. The gentlemen had a duffle bag of very bad ugly chisels. He selected one, and passed it around the group that was watching. He then sharpened it, explaining the simple, dummy proof process. Once done, just a few minutes, he passed the razor sharp chisel around for everyone to very. When it got to me, I tried shaving with it (my arm) and it worked. Well, the cash went down and the rest is history. I love the Tormek. I have since learned to use the stones, but I love the Tormek for chisels, planes, and turning tools. Food for thought . . . and a need for another tool :)

Welcome again!! Blessings as you continue on this awesome journey.

-- Anchul - Warrensburg, MO: As a Pastor, I am just trying to get closer to Jesus. He was a woodworker too.

Why do so many wives doubt our ability to have our hands near very sharp, fast moving blades and retain all of our appendages? Besides, its not like we can’t have them sewn back on.

As for the scent of freshly sawn wood, who can resist that? Reminds me of a great site I once found. www.mandles.com . It was a joke site with a great video describing manly scented candles such as Sawdust, Meat, Grillin’ Out, and Chuck Norris Sweat. Let’s face it. When the guys come over, do you really want the house smelling like a flower garden.

Welcome to the site.

Dave

good luck !

-- ..... art for lifes sake

James,

As long as your #1 reason for being a woodworker is your #1 reason: “I love the smell of freshly sawn wood,” you can learn anything. Welcome!

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.