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38K views 28 replies 12 participants last post by  morningwoodworker 
#1 ·
sticker shock!

Holy shnikeys!

Let me start by saying that I really didn't think that it would cost me much for materials for this chair. I thought I could get everything needed for around 100 bucks. After I was done shopping for wood, hardware, and a couple tools I need I spent $177.00. Then I went to home Depot to check thier prices and ended up buying a few more tools I will need like a speed square, router bits and clamps. After checking out I spent a little over $70.00.

So now I've spent way more than I thought I would, and that was just buying the cheapest wood for my first go around. But it will be well worth the cost. I'm just suprised how spendy it gets :) just wait till I make the set of chairs out of Bubinga!

So far I have printed the plans from jakeschair.com, and drafted all of the pieces onto poster board for templates. Now I have half of them drawn onto the poplar I bought. After there all transferred to the wood I've gotta get a resemblance of a wood shop going in the shed. We shall see, I might do a lot of the work at my work after work and use thier band saw and sanders.
 
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#2 ·
Ya gotta pay the cost to be the boss. The first few projects will seem expensive especially when you have to buy the tools to go along with it, we've all been there, or are still there. Eventually you'll be able to buy rough sawn lumber at a much cheaper price and mill it yourself. Then you'll start upgrading tools lol.

Welcome to the gang James ….
 
#3 ·
Welcome to LJ's James. I gave up thinking that building my own things was the key to frugality a long time ago. :) I suppose it works out in the wash in the long term but can tell you right now that short term return on investment is minimal. As Chris already stated, though, the cost stretches out over time and it becomes less of a problem when you just need to pick up the lumber and not the tools to work it. Once I embraced the fact that this is a hobby and that I do this for relaxation and enjoyment, the cost pill was a little easier to swallow. After all, there is much worse things one can do with money :)

David
 
#4 ·
James, Seattle has some good woods up there so keep a eye out for them. Wood prices are really high on the west coast and shipping wood from the midwest and east coast is even worse. Look for some small mills take cut recycled wood, urban down trees and things like that.
Welcome to LJ's and may the sawdust be with you…
 
#5 ·
James,

Welcome to LumberJocks , a world of advise, opinions, and experiences, all shared without judgement.

Search the Estate Auctions and Yard Sales to pick up tools and shop equipment, even lumber, these can stretch your 'Woodworking Allowance' budget.

Work Safely and have Fun. - Len
 
#6 ·
One thing that you need to remember is, that other than your measuring tools, basic hand tools, and basic portable power tools, you don't need to buy a whole shop for your first project.
And even among the basic stuff, there is no need to buy anything except what you need at the moment.
For bigger starter tools , shop estate sales.. Over the weekend I saw a nice older Craftsman 12 " inch bandsaw for 25.00. Looked like it had been used a dozen or so times.
I appluad your initiative in choosing a Chair as a first project. Have not looked at the plans you mentioned, but chairs tend to be rather complex.

Jim A.
 
#7 ·
Wow! I'd love to find a deal like that. I should look into some estate sales. I agree with you, I know I don't need a lot of stuff to get started, there is just more and more that I want haha. I just keep coming up with more projects I want to make, and keep thinking about what I can get to help me do things fast and easier.

Here is the link to the plans. It really is designed for a novice to be able to build it while still having a very advanced look. http://www.jakeschair.com/download.php
 
#8 ·
making the best of a messy situation

So, today is Memorial day. Let me just say thanks to the lumberjocks out there who have served or are serving our country that may read this.

I wanted to clean out my shed today so I can get a work space going. Here are a couple pictures of what I'm dealing with.
Wood Floor Flooring Gas Hardwood



I didn't get to it today though because I had to now the lawn and dig a trench to run some piping for drainage. That took much longer than I expected. Besides I doubt the dump would have been open today with the holiday. After I showered up and ate some dinner I couldn't help myself and went out and ripped some back slats for the chair and took my jig saw out of the box to cut the boards into smaller pieces.

I tried to cut on my lines from the template transfers but I think ill be better off cutting my curved lines about an 8th inch away and then use the belt sanders at work to get it down to the lives evenly. Even going extremely slow and carefully it still turned out to be a sloppy looking cut. It's hard to keep the cut square, but making a smooth curve seems easy enough.

I made a few cuts. I'm happy. After work tomorrow ill rip the seat slats, cut out the rest of the parts and take the rough cut pices with ne to work the next day to finish them off so I can put the router to them.

Baby steps :)
 

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#9 ·
making the best of a messy situation

So, today is Memorial day. Let me just say thanks to the lumberjocks out there who have served or are serving our country that may read this.

I wanted to clean out my shed today so I can get a work space going. Here are a couple pictures of what I'm dealing with.
Wood Floor Flooring Gas Hardwood

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Wood


I didn't get to it today though because I had to now the lawn and dig a trench to run some piping for drainage. That took much longer than I expected. Besides I doubt the dump would have been open today with the holiday. After I showered up and ate some dinner I couldn't help myself and went out and ripped some back slats for the chair and took my jig saw out of the box to cut the boards into smaller pieces.

I tried to cut on my lines from the template transfers but I think ill be better off cutting my curved lines about an 8th inch away and then use the belt sanders at work to get it down to the lives evenly. Even going extremely slow and carefully it still turned out to be a sloppy looking cut. It's hard to keep the cut square, but making a smooth curve seems easy enough.

I made a few cuts. I'm happy. After work tomorrow ill rip the seat slats, cut out the rest of the parts and take the rough cut pices with ne to work the next day to finish them off so I can put the router to them.

Baby steps :)
James,

I never could cut a straight line with a jig saw but if and when I need to I use a straight edge clamped to the work piece so that the saw follows the guide, just proud of the scribed line. This will help to keep you, well your saw, on the straight and narrow. Finish up with your sander.

By the way, any forward progress on cleaning up our shops, is a good day. - Len
 

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#11 ·
It's official!

Just a quick update…

I officially have a wood shop. Haha it may not be a nice one, or have a lot of special tools. But the sawdust in my hair and all over everything else means its legit. Haha
Stool Wood Flooring Floor Gas


I finished cutting out my pieces after work yesterday. I have decided that instead of tracing the pieces from my templates and cutting them out every time. I am going to make plywood templates, then use the locations where the fasteners will be to screw down the template to the wood and cut my pieces for the char with a flush cutting bit on my router. I am a genius! Then I will be making no brainter cuts even with all the curved and rounded cuts. Then ill have pilot moles exactly where they need to be killing two birds with one stone.
 

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#12 ·
Router rookie

I really had imagined being able to grab some tools, get some wood, and slap this chair together in no time! That's not the case though :)

As I mentioned in the last entry, I am taking my time to rethink my process on this first chair to make it as easy as possible to make more chairs. I thought I had the parts pretty close after using the belt sander at work to finish my curved cuts, untill I put the duplicate parts together and I could see how far off they really were from each other. Now I am making sure the pieces for this first chair are even and my curves are smooth and square. Then once I'm satisfied with the individual pieces I'm using those to make the templates out of the 1/2" ply.

But this has not been an easy task. Once I have all of these template pieces done the process will be much easier but a lot of them are fairly small pieces and its not easy to get my router to fit while having to clamp the pieces in place. Later once I fasten my templates to the wood a router table is going to be my best friend. Not only for cutting new pieces but for finishing with the roundover bits also. Other than the clamps getting in my way, I keep having trouble keeping my router flat on the part when I get near a smaller part or a thin corner. I have s couple indentations on the template piece from where the router tipped a little and the bit gouged the edge a little.

I bought this router used on Craigslist a few months ago, and im not sure if I might be missing anything like a plate to add surface area the the bottom? And I'm wondering if ill have any problems mounting this thing under a table down the road. Here ate a couple pictures if anyone knows something I should know feel free to let me know. I did find a flat wrench that works to unlock the bits from a pawn shop luckily.







Also I just have to say I love how many different projects people post. I'm already accumulating free wood for the next projects I want to take a crack at using pallet wood. I'm going to build some raised planters for my deck, and I want to build a standing beer cooler. I've got great access to scrap wood and pallets around my work. Here is a picture of what I brought home from work yesterday! I feel like I made out like a bandit with all the 4Ă—4 material I scored alone.


Thanks for reading

James
 

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#13 ·
Router rookie

I really had imagined being able to grab some tools, get some wood, and slap this chair together in no time! That's not the case though :)

As I mentioned in the last entry, I am taking my time to rethink my process on this first chair to make it as easy as possible to make more chairs. I thought I had the parts pretty close after using the belt sander at work to finish my curved cuts, untill I put the duplicate parts together and I could see how far off they really were from each other. Now I am making sure the pieces for this first chair are even and my curves are smooth and square. Then once I'm satisfied with the individual pieces I'm using those to make the templates out of the 1/2" ply.

But this has not been an easy task. Once I have all of these template pieces done the process will be much easier but a lot of them are fairly small pieces and its not easy to get my router to fit while having to clamp the pieces in place. Later once I fasten my templates to the wood a router table is going to be my best friend. Not only for cutting new pieces but for finishing with the roundover bits also. Other than the clamps getting in my way, I keep having trouble keeping my router flat on the part when I get near a smaller part or a thin corner. I have s couple indentations on the template piece from where the router tipped a little and the bit gouged the edge a little.

I bought this router used on Craigslist a few months ago, and im not sure if I might be missing anything like a plate to add surface area the the bottom? And I'm wondering if ill have any problems mounting this thing under a table down the road. Here ate a couple pictures if anyone knows something I should know feel free to let me know. I did find a flat wrench that works to unlock the bits from a pawn shop luckily.

Wood Automotive wheel system Art Circle Auto part


Gas Auto part Cylinder Metal Machine




Also I just have to say I love how many different projects people post. I'm already accumulating free wood for the next projects I want to take a crack at using pallet wood. I'm going to build some raised planters for my deck, and I want to build a standing beer cooler. I've got great access to scrap wood and pallets around my work. Here is a picture of what I brought home from work yesterday! I feel like I made out like a bandit with all the 4Ă—4 material I scored alone.
Automotive tail & brake light Building Automotive lighting Vehicle Wood


Thanks for reading

James
James, sounds like youve got a great plan going forward here. It does look like you might be missing a base plate for the router which might help it move a little more smoothly. When you get to the smaller widths and your router starts to tip a good move it to put a piece of wood the same thickness of your stock next to the piece to balance the router and keep it from tipping.
 

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#16 ·
Mister sand man

I came home from work today and went straight to the shed after listening to the shot of the day and got busy!

Now that I have made my templates for the chair, I routed all of the round over edges that are called for by the Jake's chair plans. I really do enjoy using the router, there is something satisfying to watching the edges go from raw cut edges, to pretty, smooth, and finished as the bit passes with ease. But on the down side, I really want that router table because bending over the bench for an extended amount of time gepainful quick when your 6'6". It will help when I build some taller work benches, but standing in one place working the wood is what I want.

I took a couple pictures as i was rounding over the edges of the pieces…

Wood Flooring Gas Composite material Hardwood

Wood Floor Hardwood Wood stain Flooring


I borrowed the palm sander from work today so I also finished most of my finish sanding. I have poplar boogers! I'm starting to like this wood more and more. So I would like to ask for some opinions on what finish I can use for really good protection with this being Seattle, but will also bring out the green in the wood, without discoloring it too much?

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Measuring instrument Kitchen utensil

Wood Flooring Floor Rectangle Wood stain


Thanks for reading,

James
 

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#17 ·
Mister sand man

I came home from work today and went straight to the shed after listening to the shot of the day and got busy!

Now that I have made my templates for the chair, I routed all of the round over edges that are called for by the Jake's chair plans. I really do enjoy using the router, there is something satisfying to watching the edges go from raw cut edges, to pretty, smooth, and finished as the bit passes with ease. But on the down side, I really want that router table because bending over the bench for an extended amount of time gepainful quick when your 6'6". It will help when I build some taller work benches, but standing in one place working the wood is what I want.

I took a couple pictures as i was rounding over the edges of the pieces…

Wood Flooring Gas Composite material Hardwood

Wood Floor Hardwood Wood stain Flooring


I borrowed the palm sander from work today so I also finished most of my finish sanding. I have poplar boogers! I'm starting to like this wood more and more. So I would like to ask for some opinions on what finish I can use for really good protection with this being Seattle, but will also bring out the green in the wood, without discoloring it too much?

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Measuring instrument Kitchen utensil

Wood Flooring Floor Rectangle Wood stain


Thanks for reading,

James
In doors or out?
 

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#19 ·
Erection

My drive home from work turned into a big ordeal today, so made it home MUCH later than I wanted to. So when I finally did make it hone I went straight to the shed and got to work! I got so wrapped up in it I skipped dinner and all of the sudden its midnight!

Here are a few pics I took of the progress :b

Pneumatic tool Hammer drill Handheld power drill Drill Wood


Wood Flooring Hardwood Composite material Lumber


Wood Hardwood Lumber Flooring Tints and shades


Tableware Wood Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


Wood Floor Hardwood Workbench Tool


Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Lumber


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Lumber


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Engineering Lumber


Wood Hardwood Flooring Natural material Wood stain


It's comin together, and its exciting to see it take shape.
 

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#20 ·
Erection

My drive home from work turned into a big ordeal today, so made it home MUCH later than I wanted to. So when I finally did make it hone I went straight to the shed and got to work! I got so wrapped up in it I skipped dinner and all of the sudden its midnight!

Here are a few pics I took of the progress :b

Pneumatic tool Hammer drill Handheld power drill Drill Wood


Wood Flooring Hardwood Composite material Lumber


Wood Hardwood Lumber Flooring Tints and shades


Tableware Wood Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


Wood Floor Hardwood Workbench Tool


Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Lumber


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Lumber


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Engineering Lumber


Wood Hardwood Flooring Natural material Wood stain


It's comin together, and its exciting to see it take shape.
Nice work! If I worked until midnight, I would probably hurt myself falling asleep on my feet.
 

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#24 ·
Drumroll please..........

The other night I ate a fortune cookie and thought, hmm this one is accurate….
Brown Finger Wood Material property Thumb


How did that cookie know I would be writing about accomplishing my first furniture build?

I had fun building this chair. And now I'm going to be focusing on making it easier to build the next ones. I would like some input on what everyone's opinions on what wood they think is best for outdoor furniture like this, and what looks best. I'm going to try cedar for the next one.

If you followed along with this as I built my first project, thanks for reading. The information on my router I received was very helpful. So here is the final product, and its already sold :)

Wood Outdoor furniture Flooring Floor Hardwood


Wood Hardwood Engineering Tool Machine


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Flooring Chair


Wood Flooring Gas Hardwood Chair


Wood Gas Hardwood Flooring Engineering


Furniture Wood Chair Hardwood Natural material


Jeans Shoe Wood Textile Gas


Furniture Plant Wood Comfort Outdoor furniture


Stay tuned, I'm working on setting up my router table to make things easier, and a couple projects using used pallet wood that I have started hoarding!

Thanks again,

James Alberding
 

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#25 ·
Drumroll please..........

The other night I ate a fortune cookie and thought, hmm this one is accurate….
Brown Finger Wood Material property Thumb


How did that cookie know I would be writing about accomplishing my first furniture build?

I had fun building this chair. And now I'm going to be focusing on making it easier to build the next ones. I would like some input on what everyone's opinions on what wood they think is best for outdoor furniture like this, and what looks best. I'm going to try cedar for the next one.

If you followed along with this as I built my first project, thanks for reading. The information on my router I received was very helpful. So here is the final product, and its already sold :)

Wood Outdoor furniture Flooring Floor Hardwood


Wood Hardwood Engineering Tool Machine


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Flooring Chair


Wood Flooring Gas Hardwood Chair


Wood Gas Hardwood Flooring Engineering


Furniture Wood Chair Hardwood Natural material


Jeans Shoe Wood Textile Gas


Furniture Plant Wood Comfort Outdoor furniture


Stay tuned, I'm working on setting up my router table to make things easier, and a couple projects using used pallet wood that I have started hoarding!

Thanks again,

James Alberding
If you were on the east coast I'd suggest either aromatic red cedar (also called eastern red cedar) or cypress. Since you're in Seattle those might be a bit pricey, so I'd try the western red cedar or perhaps redwood, although it would probably be a bit soft for furniture…

Nice job and congratulations on the sale. Hope you got paid a reasonable price and didn't just give it away because somebody liked it…

Good Luck and…

Be Careful!

Herb
 

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