northwoodsman

Originally from Minnesota and now living in the Dallas, TX area. Used to build houses for a hobby but have since turned to furniture building, cabinet making, and pen turning. Dreaming of a dedicated woodshop in the woods of northern MN, but until I can get back up north, am making do with a 2.5 stall garage that is also home to a truck and a SUV. All stationary tools and benches are on wheels so I can set up shop, or tear it down in about 30 minutes, so it's not all that bad. Particularly enjoy woodworking in the cooler months when the sawdust doesn't stick to you like flies on .... Married with 12 and 13 year old sons who enjoy woodworking as well. Learned the hard way over the years that you get what you pay for. I have sold or given away more poor quality tools than I would care to admit to.

My advice for the beginning woodworker - It's not a question of if you will get hooked or not - you will! So make it more enjoyable from the very start - buy the best quality tools you can! It will save you money in the long run. Don't buy the biggest or the most powerful; buy only what you will need realistically. Buy used when you can. Read the reviews on-line. Don't buy a tool unless who have an immediate need for it (or it's an INCREDIBLE deal on something that you have been considering already). Having "cool" tools lying around that you have to come up with projects for, so you can justify having them, is a waste of money and will cause stress and make the hobby less enjoyable. Beginners often get hooked on all of the latest power tools because they can cut down on time. As you spend more time woodworking you will learn to relax and get more pleasure out of using a hand plane than a drum sander. You will get more pleasure out of building a jewelry box for your wife, daughter or granddaughter, than an entertainment center or bar for yourself. Start with the end in mind. What will your grandkids remember you by - a faded picture on the wall of someone who took them to the giant theme park in FL, or the hand-made items that you spent weeks building and refining for them? Slow down, live life one dovetail at a time!

-- NorthWoodsMan