Bob, you've got everything you need to get started except a project. Pick
and get thee to it. Don't know what to make? Magazines are a good place to
start. Read a bunch of them (betting you already do), and pick one of their
projects that you like and that can be made with the tools you have. If the
author of the project says you need something you don't have (they always
do), then 1)-try to figure out how to do it with a tool you do have, or
2)-change the design a bit to eliminate that tool, or 3)-go buy just what
you need to do it. Don't be discouraged if your copy of the project isn't
as good as the magazine, they have all the advantages including a lying
camera and air brush. Be satisfied if you learned something new. You are a
lot further away from your goal than $1k, in fact I don't think we ever stop
buying tools. That does _not_ mean you cannot make beautiful stuff, right
now.

In my estimation, going out and buying a shop full of tools all at once so
that you can take up the hobby of woodworking is the worst way to go. (not
saying you did that) Several reasons come to mind as to why that is a bad
idea, but maybe the most important is that no one can assemble a bunch of
machines, which they have never used before, and jump into making stuff
safely. The one tool at a time method usually results in spending some
quality time with each and learning the intricacies of each. Sorta like
having 7 wives. You would never become soulmates with any of them.

My last piece of advice is to get involved with a club. My learning
accelerated greatly when I became involved with a club, as did my interest.
Just about every place north of BFE has a club, but if not then just start
one. It is easy to do, even if it's just a handful of folks.

Oh, one more last piece. Put that Teak away for a rainy day and go buy some
Maple.

--
Bill Pounds
http://www.billpounds.com/woodshop


"Bob Davis" wrote in message
link.net...
I want to get started making real hardwood projects - either a furniture
piece or fine decorative box. Most of what I have built to date would be
classed as carpentry or lawn and garden type furniture. So I've purchased
some decent power tools and last week bought my first "real" wood - 50 bf
of
teak. I took a piece and ran it through the jointer and put a Roman ogee
edge on it just to play around. I was pumped by the beauty of the wood.

Now I'm frustrated. I feel like I am halfway there in having the right
tools
and skills. Skills come with trying. Tools have to be purchased. So I am
completely open to using hand tools to get there and making do, if its
using
a good pocket knife. But I'm not sure how much I lack. I have a decent
table saw, drill press, and jointer. I have a decent router, a few bits
and, of course, an electric drill. The number of "hidden" costs in this
woodworking pursuit has been staggering to me. It all started when I
bought
a table saw and discovered I needed a blade. Planes require some kind of
sharpening equipment or system. Planes require a decent bench and vice to
hold the work. Good planes are NOT cheap. Gluing requires clamps, maybe
expensive cabinet clamps. It seems every time I turn around, its $40
here,
$60 there, and on and on.

I'm ready to just settle down to paying money for wood and building
things.
I cannot help but feel I'm at least $1000 from getting there. More
importantly, I'm not sure how it will have to be spent.

Lastly, guys be gentle and understanding. I'm frustrated and ignorant.
I've
spent more than my share of time searching Google, scouring websites,
prowling the stores, reading books and watching videos. Please don't call
me
lazy or stupid or a Normite. I am none of these and certainly don't want
to
see another round of that kind of crap get started.

Bob