| Project by mtkate | posted 1447 days ago | 1234 views | 1 time favorited | 14 comments |  |
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These are the result of three beginner classes in woodworking. Before that time, I had never touched a shop machine but always wanted to learn. Before I invested in such things, I wanted to be sure I could use them and feel comfortable. Unfortunately, our high school (way back when!!!) did not allow women to take shop. I will be perfectly honest – I never ended up using the skill of painting my fingernails which is what they forced us to do instead. Urgh.
The last pic – the shelf – was the first project. It was extremely satisfying to come out of there with an item that looked even better than what you can buy at home depot. The second project was the chest. This is where I learned that sanding is a major part of making a piece. It’s finished with danish oil. The third class was to make a table. That was much more difficult – learning to make a drawer and have it fit. Dovetails…. The carving was at my own risk but I wanted to make something unique. In hindsight I would have finished it in a gel stain but I am not too displeased with it. Everything in pine.
The most important thing I learned, however, was safety. Just learning where to stand, safely, when operating your tablesaw was worth the price.
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14 comments so far
wwnovice
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104 posts in 2357 days
#1 posted 1447 days ago
I’d say you’re off to an excellent start. All of the projects look great, and I’m particularly impressed by the carving.
-- John
mtkate
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2049 posts in 1496 days
#2 posted 1447 days ago
FYI – I took the classes about 4-5 years ago. I can’t say my skills have improved too much (not enough opportunity to practice – too much work) but it takes me less time to figure out how to do something. Thanks for the comment.
cabinetmaster
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10874 posts in 1729 days
#3 posted 1447 days ago
WOW, I’m very impressed with the work you’ve done. Great start to woodworking. Keep it up. I’m glad you learned all about shop safety too. That is very important.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
a1Jim
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87269 posts in 1748 days
#4 posted 1447 days ago
I’m with Jerry, I’m a beggining adult woodworking instructor for my locol comunity collage and most of my students did not reach the level of projects you show here for some time . Well done.
Jim
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
CharlieM1958
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14858 posts in 2389 days
#5 posted 1447 days ago
My gosh! I can’t believe that is your first table!
Obviously, you are a natural.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Russel
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2199 posts in 2110 days
#6 posted 1447 days ago
If those are projects from a beginning class, I cannot imagine what the advanced students do. That’s nice work.
-- Working at Woodworking http://www.VillageLaneFurniture.com
SCOTSMAN
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4312 posts in 1756 days
#7 posted 1447 days ago
Very nice a great start you shoould only get better each time you achieve something .I particularily like the table.Alistair
-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease
Loucarb
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2389 posts in 1616 days
#8 posted 1447 days ago
All your projects look fantastic. I like the what you did on the apron of your table very nice.
Splinterman
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23060 posts in 1532 days
#9 posted 1446 days ago
Your comment on better than Home Depot products is correct…....Yours are superiour…..well done.
lightweightladylefty
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2065 posts in 1883 days
#10 posted 1444 days ago
You’re off to a good start. Those are some nice looking projects. Thanks for posting.
-- Jesus is the ONLY reason for ANY season.
Millo
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531 posts in 1220 days
#11 posted 1219 days ago
Amazing tale from you high school days. I’m a total beginner myself, this next week I will put my first second-hand tools to use. Got a question: where did you take your classes? Local community college or lumberyard? How long are these classes USUALLY, as far as you know?
Thanks!
nailbanger2
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661 posts in 1314 days
#12 posted 1219 days ago
People like you really tick me off! Beginning projects? I have been working with wood (not the way I want to) for over 20 years, and I would be proud to show that table as a project of mine. Some people got it, I guess.
BTW, just kidding about the ticking off.
-- Wish I were Norm's Nephew
mtkate
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2049 posts in 1496 days
#13 posted 1217 days ago
The classes are a local business. Most of them span the equivalent of 30-60 hours depending on the level. These are not from my high school days…. my high school did not allow women to take shop. I took the classes in, let’s say my late 30s. It was my first real opportunity with woodworking. With supervision, I was able to pull these off. Left alone, I need to pay lots of attention to what I am doing.
There are lots of beginners on LJs who have really amazing first projects, without having taken classes. Certainly, that ticks me off too! ;)
janice
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1027 posts in 1596 days
#14 posted 1208 days ago
Those all turned out very nice for beginner projects, like everyone else said.
-- Janice
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