Just starting out.

First let me Welcome you. You will love this site.
My first thought is to “BE SAFE THINK TWICE” Tools can hurt
Look around and see things that you would like to either fix or build then think of the tools you will need to do the job. Learn joinerey so you can put things together that will stay together and look nice. Think of moisture and what it will do to the wood. Pick a easy project to start and put it somewhere you can look at it. It will help to watch your progress in woodworking. But most of all ENJOY. And remember there is no such thing as a stupid question and there is always a LumberJock standing by with positive suggestions and probably one nearby.
Dawg

-- DeputyDawg

Get some basic woodworking books, don’t get too caught up in fancy expensive tools at first. Good hand tools will do most of what a home owner needs. Just start slow, fix what needs fixing, learn and move on.

You’ve found a good site for problem solving and help. Welcome and good luck…............

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

quixand, you have already begun! You found the right place to ask questions (welcome to Lumberjocks), and you have identified your starting goals.

If you have the time, I might suggest volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. Many construction people give their time to them, and it will let you know what may be behind the drywall in your home. Always remember, however, there are usually ten different ways to do the same task. Ask yourself “why do it this way, what are the advantages/disadvantages”. And read. Read a lot!

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/112

-- Wish I were Norm's Nephew

The first day of my first shop class, back in the mid 50’s, our shop teacher gave us a square, a wood plane, and block of 1” pine about a foot long and about 6” wide. The four corners were not square. Our job was to square the four corners. That was not eazy to do. What it taught us was the importance of making sure that what ever we do, make sure that it is square. If you start out square, your project will end up square. If not you will become a very frustrated woodworker and will give up very soon.
Go to the local library and check-out some books on basic woodworking.
If you can, find a woodworker that would be willing to get you started out with the basics.
Start with a simple small wall shelf. then a simple small box. AND, AS DAWG STATED, “BE SAFE, THINK TWICE”.

-- "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life" Solomon

Books are great but I think you can learn just as much or more from videos. Check out websites like This Old House where you can see Tommy replace this or that trim. The internet is great for this stuff.

Thank you all for the warm welcomes and great ideas!

Let me add another welcome. I would add that the best way to learn is by doing…for home repair/remodeling…the Borg (err…The Home Depot, Lowes – or other big box store types) have lots of workshops on tools and projects (tileling, flooring…etc.). Attend as many of those as you can and get your hands on the materials…try the tools…watch..listen…..Another source is local colleges, adult education…and lots of the woodcraft and other of these type stores have classes and demonstrations….watch them….get DVDs, read books and ask questions….never be afraid to ask a question.

I’ve been in construction all my life and everything I have learned came from watching…trying…reading and listening. I also took alot of things apart to see how they were made….I went through construction sites and looked at the framing, the concrete….the drywall, tile…etc. I wanted to see how things worked – how they were put together. I then copied what I saw…....I made many many mistakes….but learned alot from all of them….Luckily my mistakes were in execution…not in safety….All my teachers (folks I worked for and with) were all concerned with safety…and lucky for me it stuck….I would never approach any tool or project without first thinking the process through several times….I would then make sure everything is safe…my setup, my eye, ear and breathing protection in place….then I will do the step…One thing to remember in the begining…PATIENCE…no job needs to be done so quickly that you get hurt in the process….most accidents occur when someone is in a hurry and don’t take the time to think it through.

Then start out easy…do things you feel comfortable doing…as you gain confidence…challenge yourself…try different methods…add a twist or two…and most of all remember to have fun….even when remodeling a hard job…I enjoy the process….and then I can really appreciate the results.

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

You may also want to check out “HomeRefurbers” a sister site to this one. You can find it by clicking on the little construction worker guy at the left side at the top of this page.

-- "Checking for square? what madness is this! The cabinet is square because I will it to be so!" Jeremy Greiner LJ Topic#20953 2011 Feb 2