Woodworking is hard as hell, how do you guys do it?

[Lethe]

Any tips for a total novice?

I just made a bookshelf with hand tools. It was a bitch and i had to get a plane cause i messed up a 12" cut by about 1/16th. (i seem to veer to the right after about 6 inches with a hand saw)

You should see my room with and without the bookshelf. It goes from looking like a tornado hit to a very nice orderly space.

[GoneOffShore]

1. The old woodworkers saw

(pa dump bump)

Measure twice, cut once.

And clamp down the piece of wood you're sawing. But not the piece that's going to be scrap.

[amerikat]

2. I have worked wood all my life and can offer a few tips.

The first tip is to buy the best quality tools you can, you will have them forever so the initial cost
is high but it is a onetime expense in most cases. Keep them sharp and do the other maint. required

Second tip is to take your time with the setup for any cut....the cut often takes a few minutes/seconds the set up can take much longer and is worth the effort and is reflected in the quality of the final project.

thirdly.....understand wood! all woods have different qualities..work with those qualities use them to your advantage.....don't fight the wood, you will not win.

and lastly........practice, practice, practice.

You obviously like working with wood and your skill and talent will develope over time...keep at it.

[LeftyFingerPop]

3. When marking and measuring...

use a sharp pencil. Remember that a 64th of an inch can and does make a difference. Measure to the 32nd of an inch, an then in your head, say "strong" or "light", and remember that when you are cutting the line.

For example... you may measure 5 feet, 7 and 10 32nd's of an inch "strong". That means when you go to cut the piece, you might start the blade just a little more than your mark.

Measuring and cutting is not as easy at it appears, and it takes practice. Remember though, if you take your time, you can get it exact. Visualize where the most extreme portion of the saw tooth will be cutting.

[amerikat]

4. You can always take another cut.....you can never add on

I agree.

[LeftyFingerPop]

5. Yes, but it's really tough with a hand saw...

especially if you have to adjust by less than the width of a saw blade.

I love using power miter saws and table saws. When doing molding, I don't even measure...I just make a few cuts until it fits.

Hello from a fellow woodworker! :hi: :thumbsup:

[amerikat]

9. Hello.....woodworking takes experience....like Yoda says

Do or do not.there is no try

[leeroysphitz]

8. Do you need a job?

I'm constantly contending with guys in the shop that don't know or CARE about the difference between a 32nd and a 16th (and never mind about a 64th!) and then come to bitch at ME when something doesn't fit! Lol.

[amerikat]

11. I'm the only woodworker that i know of that uses

Digital calipurs......from my metal working days.......makes a big difference

[leeroysphitz]

12. Yes they do. If you pay attention to the thousandths then the inches

take care of themselves...

[LeftyFingerPop]

13. LOL!

A 32nd or a 64th can make a huge difference as you know, especially when doing 45 degree miters for door casings, etc. I want that joint fitting TIGHT...because it will catch your eye if it is off.

I installed a bunch of oak baseboard earlier this year in my home. Instead of mitering, I put one corner flush against the wall, and coped the other piece into it. Now THAT is some stuff that takes practice. it's also hard to visualize exactly what you are doing, but once your mind grasps the concept, you can cope anything, and even make manual adjustments to the cope when the floor or wall is not plumb or level.

As an aside, here's my front porch, which I enclosed in 1986, and re-did entirely in oak last year (ignore the mess).

[leeroysphitz]

14. Mess duly ignored. The bead board was a nice touch and you can rarely

if ever go wrong with oak. Did you do the table as well?

Edited to ask when is the floor ever LEVEL? When is the wall ever PLUM? :rofl:

[LeftyFingerPop]

17. I just refinished the table, but did not build it. n/t

[leeroysphitz]

6. It's very easy.

Spend about 200,000 bucks or so on one of these babies. Learn to program it and bam! your all set. :)

[seemunkee]

7. If you can do that with all handtools

You are a woodworker.
Learn how to sharpen a plane and it will be a joy to use. Get some good quality water stones and sharpen it so you can shave with it.
Practice sawing dovetails with a handsaw. You'll get control of it pretty quick.

[jmowreader]

22. There's a better way to sharpen a plane iron

Have you tried the "Scary Sharp" system? Basically, autobody sandpapers from around 600 grit up to 2000 grit, wetted and laid on a sheet of glass.

Ten to fifteen minutes of this on the iron to my No. 5, and I can take off shavings that make notebook paper look thick. And it's a HELL of a lot cheaper than a good set of stones.

Then again...if I win the lottery I'm buying a Tormek grinder.

[Inchworm]

10. I cut that dang piece 3 times

and it's STILL too short!

;)

:hi:

[leeroysphitz]

16. LOL. Somebody get that wood stretcher!

[IndianaJones]

15. I have the advantage of being half oriental. nt.

[leeroysphitz]

18. ???

[Lethe]

19. would anybody here be interested in evaluating a design I came up with?

For a Tv Stand table.

I got an idea of what the design would be. If anyone interested in critiquing let me know!

[jmowreader]

23. I'll look at it...

p-mail me for a good e-mail address to send it to.

[Gonzo Gardener]

20. Good tools, patience, practice...

a friend who knows what (s)he's doing, and cold beers to lure him/her to your garage!

:toast:


I enjoy reproducing *simple* primitive pieces... much less precision required for this style. ;-)

Latest project...

In dad's shop.







In the entryway of my house.

[Lethe]

24. very nice!

i like pieces like that. Looks great!

[Gonzo Gardener]

25. Thanks, ikhor.

My next project will be the always challenging DIY kitchen remodel. :scared:

Happy New Year to you & yours!

:hi:

[billyskank]

21. I never cut anything accurately in woodwork class.

Not even once. No matter how careful I was. I sucked at woodwork!