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On Topic: What to make to hone skills
Hello,
Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done now. I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a release. The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit together perfectly and that irritates me. I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say, "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot. Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some sort, maybe? Picture frames? I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a difference or not. Thanks, busbus |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
busbus wrote:
Hello, .... snip Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some sort, maybe? Picture frames? I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a difference or not. Thanks, busbus What Lew said below is good advice. Those jigs are going to help you hone your skills because precision is a requirement for them to work well. After that, you will have the tools needed to tackle projects for the house. Look around at things you might want or need (mirrors, picture frames, decorative shelves, etc if you want small projects). You can also adopt a longterm project that is bigger (say a curio cabinet, end tables, or similar) with the knowledge that it's going to take a year or two to finish. Break the bigger project into smaller sub-projects so you see results and get the satisfaction of seeing something finish that goes into the whole. For example, completing the carcase can be one of those sub-projects. Same for drawers, top, etc. Take your time and enjoy what you are seeing come together. -- There is never a situation where having more rounds is a disadvantage Rob Leatham |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On 7/30/2010 8:32 PM, busbus wrote:
Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some sort, maybe? Picture frames? Tables ... http://www.amazon.com/Tables-Project.../dp/1561583421 Start with the one on the cover. -- www.e-woodshop.net Last update: 4/15/2010 KarlC@ (the obvious) |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
"busbus" wrote in message
... Hello, Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done now. I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a release. The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit together perfectly and that irritates me. I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say, "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot. Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some sort, maybe? Picture frames? I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a difference or not. Thanks, busbus Allow yourself to succeed. Do something Small. See "Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)" or "Woodworking Basics: Mastering the Essentials of Craftsmanship". |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
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On Topic: What to make to hone skills
Lew Hodgett wrote: Woodworkers and sailors have something in common, patience. But lots of salespeople at Rockler and WoodCraft seem to assume that they don't. If you would like to challenge your patience, try ice-fishing (and I mean "shanty-less" ice fishing!). Bill |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
"Bill" wrote If you would like to challenge your patience, try ice-fishing (and I mean "shanty-less" ice fishing!). I don't see how it challenges your patience. Sanity, yes. Sensibility, yes. Common sense, yes. You have to lack those three things to go out on frozen water in the middle of winter just to fish. |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
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On Topic: What to make to hone skills
"busbus" wrote:
The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit together perfectly and that irritates me. I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say, "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot. Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some sort, maybe? Picture frames? I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a difference or not. Box making would be my suggestion. Pick up one of Doug Stowe's books on the subject. Doug used to be an active member of this news group. I recommend: http://www.dougstowe.com/book/book.htm -- Jack Novak Buffalo, NY - USA |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus
wrote: Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot. I used to use "cheap" pine too, but once you use hardwoods you'll prefer them. Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some sort, maybe? Picture frames? Make small things: keepsake boxes, jewelry boxes, beach sand collection boxes, chests, chest-of-drawers (I made one that I use to store batteries), remote control stands, &tc. -Zz |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus
wrote the following: Hello, Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done now. You were this || close to being plonked, buddy. I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a release. The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit together perfectly and that irritates me. Yeah, smaller things are easier on the pocketbook to toss after a learning experience. Lee Valley had an old woodwork training book (from 1917) which might interest you. _Projects for Woodwork Training_ Galoots Rule! I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say, "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot. Yes, for pity's sake, use real wood. Jummywood and termite barf ain't fit for nuttin' but the fireplace. gd&r Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some sort, maybe? Picture frames? Jigs, boxes, small tables, whatever catches your fancy. If you make something others want, when they start turning out nicely, you can sell them and recoup your original losses. I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a difference or not. Pick up a set of Marples Blue Chips and learn how to use them, too. http://fwd4.me/Esv -- To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle. -- Confucius |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Jul 30, 9:32*pm, busbus wrote:
Hello, Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. *It's done now. I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a release. *The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things over and over again but...what? *I know I need to get A LOT better with joints, almost all joints! *I can make them but they don't fit together perfectly and that irritates me. I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say, "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't fit so well." *Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the cheap stuff? *Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot. Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? *Boxes of some sort, maybe? *Picture frames? I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am sharing with another friend. *I work out of a half a garage and push everything against the wall. *I don't know if any of this makes a difference or not. Make over and over again...? Why? Are you hoping to go into production? It really doesn't matter all that much what you make, as long as you learn from your mistakes, exercise your patience, and _enjoy_ what you're making. No one here can answer what pleases you. There are lots of, ahem, branches to woodworking and they are very different animals. Some people love fussy work such as chip carving, others like building large items like kitchen cabinets. What triggers your 'man, that's sweet, I'd like to make/own one of those' reaction? When you find something that just begs to be made, that's what you should make. The other factor is what will you do with the stuff you make. Will you keep the stuff, furnish your house, give them away as gifts? If it's gifts, something small is best, of course. If there is a SWMBO in the picture, you'll get your orders from on high. ;) R |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
"Larry Jaques" wrote in message ... On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus wrote the following: Hello, Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done now. You were this || close to being plonked, buddy. WTF did *I* do??? Buddy |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
"Larry Jaques" wrote in message ... On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus wrote the following: Hello, Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done now. You were this || close to being plonked, buddy. WTF did *I* do??? Buddy |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
"Larry Jaques" wrote in message
... On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus wrote the following: Hello, Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done now. You were this || close to being plonked, buddy. I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a release. The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things over and over again but...what? I know I need to get A LOT better with joints, almost all joints! I can make them but they don't fit together perfectly and that irritates me. Yeah, smaller things are easier on the pocketbook to toss after a learning experience. Lee Valley had an old woodwork training book (from 1917) which might interest you. _Projects for Woodwork Training_ Galoots Rule! I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say, "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't fit so well." Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the cheap stuff? Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot. Yes, for pity's sake, use real wood. Jummywood and termite barf ain't fit for nuttin' but the fireplace. gd&r Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? Boxes of some sort, maybe? Picture frames? Jigs, boxes, small tables, whatever catches your fancy. If you make something others want, when they start turning out nicely, you can sell them and recoup your original losses. I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am sharing with another friend. I work out of a half a garage and push everything against the wall. I don't know if any of this makes a difference or not. Pick up a set of Marples Blue Chips and learn how to use them, too. http://fwd4.me/Esv And learn to sharpen them. |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
Ed Pawlowski wrote:
"Bill" wrote If you would like to challenge your patience, try ice-fishing (and I mean "shanty-less" ice fishing!). I don't see how it challenges your patience. Sanity, yes. Sensibility, yes. Common sense, yes. You have to lack those three things to go out on frozen water in the middle of winter just to fish. The only thing you can be assured of is a hearty appetite after you're through. Unless you are unusually lucky, beef stew or the like. Personally, I've never been the leader of an ice-fishing expedition, just one of the innocent-bystanders. Bill |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Jul 31, 1:33*pm, RicodJour wrote:
On Jul 30, 9:32*pm, busbus wrote: Hello, Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. *It's done now. I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a release. *The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things over and over again but...what? *I know I need to get A LOT better with joints, almost all joints! *I can make them but they don't fit together perfectly and that irritates me. I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say, "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't fit so well." *Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the cheap stuff? *Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot. Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? *Boxes of some sort, maybe? *Picture frames? I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am sharing with another friend. *I work out of a half a garage and push everything against the wall. *I don't know if any of this makes a difference or not. Make over and over again...? *Why? *Are you hoping to go into production? It really doesn't matter all that much what you make, as long as you learn from your mistakes, exercise your patience, and _enjoy_ what you're making. *No one here can answer what pleases you. There are lots of, ahem, branches to woodworking and they are very different animals. *Some people love fussy work such as chip carving, others like building large items like kitchen cabinets. *What triggers your 'man, that's sweet, I'd like to make/own one of those' reaction? When you find something that just begs to be made, that's what you should make. The other factor is what will you do with the stuff you make. *Will you keep the stuff, furnish your house, give them away as gifts? *If it's gifts, something small is best, of course. *If there is a SWMBO in the picture, you'll get your orders from on high. *;) R All great advice. You guys pegged me good: I need to work on my patience! I ain't got none. What I meant by "over and over" was the same sort of thing: like when somebody suggested that I make drawers. That would be doing the same thing over and over again. Good advice. I personally would like to build bigger things like cabinets or something like that. I guess I could build cabinets for the garage: one for my drill press, maybe a router table (even though I do have one of those small, pre-made tables already), or even put several together to make a decent workbench. I was wondering about starting to use hardwood because I thought that maybe my results could possibly be better. I have tried making hand cut dovetails and have done alright but i have trouble cleaning out the waste and I thought that maybe it was because the pine I was using was soft and, well, stringy (sort of). I thought maybe the hardwood would clean up better. I am probably 1000% wrong but I have no clue. Making jigs is also a great idea because that, in of itself, will force me to become more patient because if the jig is off, then it will be of no use. I guess in addition to patience, I will need to work on my anger management skills because I am sure I am going to get frustrated to hell and back trying to get the jigs to be perfectly accurate! Oh, as far as learning how to sharpen chisels, I think I have got that one down. I have played with the Scary Sharp method to clean up some old chisels that were given to me and it worked really well. I have found that it is faster and easier to sharpen freehand than playing around with jigs. I had bought one and the person who gave me her father's old chisels included one he had and neither worked as well as nothing. Plus using noting was a whole lot faster. It seems awful strnage to me but I actually had a lot of fun sharpening those chisels. Thanks for all the suggestions. busbus |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Aug 1, 9:53*am, Megan Kinzler wrote:
On Jul 31, 1:33*pm, RicodJour wrote: On Jul 30, 9:32*pm, busbus wrote: Hello, Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. *It's done now. I have been extremely busy the last year or so and I don't see any end in sight but I want to start getting into this much more for a release. *The problem is that I don't have the time to do anything really big and I figured it is better to do a lot of smaller things over and over again but...what? *I know I need to get A LOT better with joints, almost all joints! *I can make them but they don't fit together perfectly and that irritates me. I am tired of making things for the shop because I can simply say, "Well, this is for the shop, so who really cares if that part doesn't fit so well." *Should I start using "real" wood or stick with the cheap stuff? *Maybe part of my problem is that I have been building things with cheap-o pine and MDF and whatnot. Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? *Boxes of some sort, maybe? *Picture frames? I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am sharing with another friend. *I work out of a half a garage and push everything against the wall. *I don't know if any of this makes a difference or not. Make over and over again...? *Why? *Are you hoping to go into production? It really doesn't matter all that much what you make, as long as you learn from your mistakes, exercise your patience, and _enjoy_ what you're making. *No one here can answer what pleases you. There are lots of, ahem, branches to woodworking and they are very different animals. *Some people love fussy work such as chip carving, others like building large items like kitchen cabinets. *What triggers your 'man, that's sweet, I'd like to make/own one of those' reaction? When you find something that just begs to be made, that's what you should make. The other factor is what will you do with the stuff you make. *Will you keep the stuff, furnish your house, give them away as gifts? *If it's gifts, something small is best, of course. *If there is a SWMBO in the picture, you'll get your orders from on high. *;) R All great advice. *You guys pegged me good: I need to work on my patience! *I ain't got none. What I meant by "over and over" was the same sort of thing: like when somebody suggested that I make drawers. *That would be doing the same thing over and over again. *Good advice. I personally would like to build bigger things like cabinets or something like that. *I guess I could build cabinets for the garage: one for my drill press, maybe a router table (even though I do have one of those small, pre-made tables already), or even put several together to make a decent workbench. I was wondering about starting to use hardwood because I thought that maybe my results could possibly be better. *I have tried making hand cut dovetails and have done alright but i have trouble cleaning out the waste and I thought that maybe it was because the pine I was using was soft and, well, stringy (sort of). *I thought maybe the hardwood would clean up better. *I am probably 1000% wrong but I have no clue. Making jigs is also a great idea because that, in of itself, will force me to become more patient because if the jig is off, then it will be of no use. *I guess in addition to patience, I will need to work on my anger management skills because I am sure I am going to get frustrated to hell and back trying to get the jigs to be perfectly accurate! Oh, as far as learning how to sharpen chisels, I think I have got that one down. *I have played with the Scary Sharp method to clean up some old chisels that were given to me and it worked really well. *I have found that it is faster and easier to sharpen freehand than playing around with jigs. *I had bought one and the person who gave me her father's old chisels included one he had and neither worked as well as nothing. *Plus using noting was a whole lot faster. *It seems awful strnage to me but I actually had a lot of fun sharpening those chisels. Thanks for all the suggestions. busbus OOPS!!!!! My daughter was logged in and I replied using her information. Sorry about that!!!!!! |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
busbus wrote:
On Aug 1, 9:53 am, Megan Kinzler wrote: .... I was wondering about starting to use hardwood because I thought that maybe my results could possibly be better. I have tried making hand cut dovetails and have done alright but i have trouble cleaning out the waste and I thought that maybe it was because the pine I was using was soft and, well, stringy (sort of). I thought maybe the hardwood would clean up better. I am probably 1000% wrong but I have no clue. .... Oh, as far as learning how to sharpen chisels, I think I have got that one down. I have played with the Scary Sharp method to clean up some old chisels that were given to me and it worked really well. I have found that it is faster and easier to sharpen freehand than playing around with jigs. I had bought one and the person who gave me her father's old chisels included one he had and neither worked as well as nothing. Plus using noting was a whole lot faster. It seems awful strnage to me but I actually had a lot of fun sharpening those chisels. .... OOPS!!!!! My daughter was logged in and I replied using her information. Sorry about that!!!!!! I'd suggest the difficulty indicates the chisels, while sharper than out of the box, are not optimally sharp yet or they would slice even pine end grain smoothly w/o tearing. One thing I'd wonder about w/ the combination of freehand and sandpaper method (in conjunction w/ your admitted lack of patience :) ) would be whether actually did truly flatten the backs of the chisels sufficiently to get that perfect bevel-forming straight line that the edge is formed against. Particularly as I've had some difficulty in that regards in the paper wanting to roll instead of staying put if try the loose method. Just a thought...oh, can you pare a continuous thin shaving off of pine end grain the width of the chisel? If not, it isn't yet really, really sharp... $0.01, fwiw, imo, etc., etc, etc., ... -- |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Aug 1, 9:53*am, Megan Kinzler wrote:
All great advice. *You guys pegged me good: I need to work on my patience! *I ain't got none. Well, for most people, the things they have the patience for the things they enjoy. I get lost in time when I'm working on a project. I forget to eat, etc. But, if I am not enjoying what I am doing I have zilch in the way of patience. What I meant by "over and over" was the same sort of thing: like when somebody suggested that I make drawers. *That would be doing the same thing over and over again. *Good advice. I would suggest that doing something over and over is a good way to suck the fun out of it. By that I mean just practicing dovetails can get old unless they're part of something that you really want to make. I personally would like to build bigger things like cabinets or something like that. *I guess I could build cabinets for the garage: one for my drill press, maybe a router table (even though I do have one of those small, pre-made tables already), or even put several together to make a decent workbench. Building cabinet boxes can be as easy or as difficult as you'd like, so sure, that's a good place to start. If you customize your workspace you'll enjoy the work more. I was wondering about starting to use hardwood because I thought that maybe my results could possibly be better. *I have tried making hand cut dovetails and have done alright but i have trouble cleaning out the waste and I thought that maybe it was because the pine I was using was soft and, well, stringy (sort of). *I thought maybe the hardwood would clean up better. *I am probably 1000% wrong but I have no clue. Well, not that bad - you're only off by 180 degrees. Dovetails in hardwoods are less forgiving. Pine will smoosh a bit and allow the joint to go together, hardwood will split to tell you the fit is too tight. Making jigs is also a great idea because that, in of itself, will force me to become more patient because if the jig is off, then it will be of no use. *I guess in addition to patience, I will need to work on my anger management skills because I am sure I am going to get frustrated to hell and back trying to get the jigs to be perfectly accurate! Why are you programming yourself to be frustrated and impatient? Oh, as far as learning how to sharpen chisels, I think I have got that one down. *I have played with the Scary Sharp method to clean up some old chisels that were given to me and it worked really well. *I have found that it is faster and easier to sharpen freehand than playing around with jigs. *I had bought one and the person who gave me her father's old chisels included one he had and neither worked as well as nothing. *Plus using noting was a whole lot faster. *It seems awful strnage to me but I actually had a lot of fun sharpening those chisels. Yep, I love sharpening things. When I'm over at someone's house it's almost guaranteed that I'll start sharpening their kitchen knives. I just like doing it. Scary Sharp works great, but I like my Japanese water stones. It's just more satisfying for some reason. R |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On 7/31/2010 1:13 AM, Bill wrote:
Lew Hodgett wrote: Woodworkers and sailors have something in common, patience. But lots of salespeople at Rockler and WoodCraft seem to assume that they don't. If you would like to challenge your patience, try ice-fishing (and I mean "shanty-less" ice fishing!). I dunno where he learned the skills--possibly at sea, possibly in the school of hard Japs--but my father was quite capable of, for his own amusement, sitting still long enough for a wild (as in way out in the country--not city-park) squirrel or a bird to decide to walk up to him and take a sunflower seed out of his hand. I never developed that kind of patience. |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:53:21 -0700, Megan Kinzler wrote:
I personally would like to build bigger things like cabinets or something like that. I guess I could build cabinets for the garage: one for my drill press, maybe a router table (even though I do have one of those small, pre-made tables already), or even put several together to make a decent workbench. Well, if you really want a learning challenge, look up "Wooton Patent Desk" :-). http://www.wootondesks.com/ -- Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Jul 30, 7:32*pm, busbus wrote:
Any suggestions on what to make over and over again? *Boxes of some sort, maybe? *Picture frames? I have a table saw, a nice Bosch jigsaw I got at a garage sale for $75, a small drill press, a cheap-o router, and a DowelMax that I am sharing with another friend. *I work out of a half a garage and push everything against the wall. *I don't know if any of this makes a difference or not. What kind of JOINERY are you proficient with ? IMHO, it's probably time to learn a new skill. When you figure out which new joint you might be interested in learning, then you can survey your stash of wood, and decide what you're already equipped to build. Often, it's good to do this by looking through DIY plan books or websites. Small tables are great. M&T joinery is a very helpful skill. Thinks like splined miters are run. Bird feeders, waste baskets, jewelry boxes, shoe stands, cutting boards, mail boxes ... wine bottle holders, are all rather quick projects that CAN make use of pretty complex joinery, if you want them to. Whatever you choose ... it SHOULD require the purchase of a new tool, though. |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Aug 1, 12:02*pm, Larry Blanchard wrote:
Well, if you really want a learning challenge, look up "Wooton Patent Desk" :-). http://www.wootondesks.com/ :o) LOL. I think I will block out a couple weekends to build this. It really looks easy! |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On 8/1/2010 11:37 AM, busbus wrote:
On Aug 1, 12:02 pm, Larry wrote: Well, if you really want a learning challenge, look up "Wooton Patent Desk" :-). http://www.wootondesks.com/ :o) LOL. I think I will block out a couple weekends to build this. It really looks easy! I'd just buy a 50's jukebox and be done with it ... -- www.e-woodshop.net Last update: 4/15/2010 KarlC@ (the obvious) |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
Neil Brooks wrote in news:49f0addb-cc7d-48b2-9768-
: *snip* Whatever you choose ... it SHOULD require the purchase of a new tool, though. At the very least, an accessory for an existing tool! Puckdropper -- Never teach your apprentice everything you know. |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Aug 1, 12:48*pm, Swingman wrote:
On 8/1/2010 11:37 AM, busbus wrote: On Aug 1, 12:02 pm, Larry *wrote: Well, if you really want a learning challenge, look up "Wooton Patent Desk" :-). http://www.wootondesks.com/ :o) LOL. *I think I will block out a couple weekends to build this. *It really looks easy! I'd just buy a 50's jukebox and be done with it ... --www.e-woodshop.net Last update: 4/15/2010 KarlC@ (the obvious) Sure. LOL. Seriously though... in terms if "What Were They Thinking", the designs that went into juke boxes was so off the wall that it's beautiful in many cases. Kitch and Garishness galore, but some are so over the top it makes you wonder if any of them inspired all those things George Lucas ended up doing...and Vegas...and 1958 Cadillacs...G |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
"dpb" wrote in message
... Just a thought...oh, can you pare a continuous thin shaving off of pine end grain the width of the chisel? If not, it isn't yet really, really sharp... Can you do it ten times in a row with no intermediate sharpening? |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
Lobby Dosser wrote:
"dpb" wrote in message ... Just a thought...oh, can you pare a continuous thin shaving off of pine end grain the width of the chisel? If not, it isn't yet really, really sharp... Can you do it ten times in a row with no intermediate sharpening? Think that might depend on which iron...altho I've never tried--once't then to the real job is the limit of _my_ patience... :) -- |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
"dpb" wrote in message
... Lobby Dosser wrote: "dpb" wrote in message ... Just a thought...oh, can you pare a continuous thin shaving off of pine end grain the width of the chisel? If not, it isn't yet really, really sharp... Can you do it ten times in a row with no intermediate sharpening? Think that might depend on which iron...altho I've never tried--once't then to the real job is the limit of _my_ patience... :) -- LOL! |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:30:04 -0400, "Buddy Matlosz"
wrote the following: "Larry Jaques" wrote in message .. . On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:32:15 -0700 (PDT), busbus wrote the following: Hello, Sorry about the Neil sideshow I have been participating in. It's done now. You were this || close to being plonked, buddy. WTF did *I* do??? You were being _yourself_, bub. -- To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle. -- Confucius |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Sun, 1 Aug 2010 06:55:31 -0700 (PDT), busbus
wrote the following: On Aug 1, 9:53*am, Megan Kinzler wrote: Thanks for all the suggestions. busbus OOPS!!!!! My daughter was logged in and I replied using her information. Sorry about that!!!!!! That's OK. I was thinking of asking her if she wanted some candy, but that might not be entirely appropriate. snort -- To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle. -- Confucius |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Aug 1, 12:07*pm, Neil Brooks wrote:
Small tables are great. *M&T joinery is a very helpful skill. *Thinks like splined miters are run. Bird feeders, waste baskets, jewelry boxes, shoe stands, cutting boards, mail boxes ... wine bottle holders, are all rather quick projects that CAN make use of pretty complex joinery, if you want them to. Whatever you choose ... it SHOULD require the purchase of a new tool, though. Those are good suggestions to build. However, I do not agree with the last statement. The biggest reason is that I do not necessarily have the extra cash laying around, especially since I have a kid starting college in a couple weeks and another one ready to go in another couple years, so I will be "poor" for a while. :o) Another reason I do not agree is that I don't think you really "need" all those additional tools. Somebody said it best within this thread that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxury of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. I *do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanley planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have. Maybe I am way wrong (again!!) but I think it is more what you do and how you do it rather than what tools you may have. It would be nice to have all those cool tools but I am probably better off learning how to use the ones I have already than to add to the arsenal. Basically, that is the real meat behind this question: what kinds of things should I start building that would be practical and will help me get better. I think it is probably a common thing that people go out and buy a new tool without learning how to fully use the ones they already have. In fact, I am willing to bet that many times, a new tool is not really necessary and other tools can do what you want to do. It may not be easy and sometimes, I bet, it is really difficult. I wonder how much money we all spend to get a cool new tool that is a one-trick pony and is used infrequently (although, it is nice to have whenever the need arises). |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 11:09:19 -0700 (PDT), busbus wrote:
On Aug 1, 12:07*pm, Neil Brooks wrote: Small tables are great. *M&T joinery is a very helpful skill. *Thinks like splined miters are run. Bird feeders, waste baskets, jewelry boxes, shoe stands, cutting boards, mail boxes ... wine bottle holders, are all rather quick projects that CAN make use of pretty complex joinery, if you want them to. Whatever you choose ... it SHOULD require the purchase of a new tool, though. Those are good suggestions to build. However, I do not agree with the last statement. The biggest reason is that I do not necessarily have the extra cash laying around, especially since I have a kid starting college in a couple weeks and another one ready to go in another couple years, so I will be "poor" for a while. :o) It was probably made half in jest, but I'm on his side. ;-) Whenever I do a project around the house I buy the tools needed to do it right, even if I only plan on using them once (and it never works out that way). I can save more by DIY than the tools cost. Another reason I do not agree is that I don't think you really "need" all those additional tools. Blasphemy! Somebody said it best within this thread that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxury of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. I *do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanley planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have. That's an argument for Neander vs. Norm. OTOH, I'm more of a Tim. ;-) Maybe I am way wrong (again!!) but I think it is more what you do and how you do it rather than what tools you may have. It would be nice to have all those cool tools but I am probably better off learning how to use the ones I have already than to add to the arsenal. To each. I don't feature doing mortices by hand. Dovetails? You gotta be kidding me. Basically, that is the real meat behind this question: what kinds of things should I start building that would be practical and will help me get better. I think it is probably a common thing that people go out and buy a new tool without learning how to fully use the ones they already have. In fact, I am willing to bet that many times, a new tool is not really necessary and other tools can do what you want to do. It may not be easy and sometimes, I bet, it is really difficult. I wonder how much money we all spend to get a cool new tool that is a one-trick pony and is used infrequently (although, it is nice to have whenever the need arises). Tools are my only vise (no decent vices, though). My real-retirement (I've already done it once ;) plans include a lot of woodworking. I have a very good income, plus retirement income, and I'm at the point in my life where expenses are going down, so can easily afford tools. I like working with them, so they get bought while I can. Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how to get the most out of yet. That's the fun; learning. |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Aug 2, 7:09*pm, "
wrote: *I like working with them, so they get bought while I can. *Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how to get the most out of yet. *That's the fun; learning. I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule! |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Aug 2, 7:09*pm, "
wrote: Somebody said it best within this thread that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxury of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. *I *do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanley planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have. That's an argument for Neander vs. Norm. *OTOH, I'm more of a Tim. *;-) I am starting to think I am more of a Neaderthal. I guess! I have played with hand cut dovetails and even though they sort of look like a three-year-old cut some of them, I really liked it. I think I like the PROCESS the most. I love the quiet, too. It was just relaxing. Does that make me a neander? Maybe it does...I haven't really, really thought about that before but maybe you are on to something... To each. *I don't feature doing mortices by hand. *Dovetails? *You gotta be kidding me. * Oops! I guess I answered that one already! :o) Basically, that is the real meat behind this question: what kinds of things should I start building that would be practical and will help me get better. *I think it is probably a common thing that people go out and buy a new tool without learning how to fully use the ones they already have. *In fact, I am willing to bet that many times, a new tool is not really necessary and other tools can do what you want to do. *It may not be easy and sometimes, I bet, it is really difficult. I wonder how much money we all spend to get a cool new tool that is a one-trick pony and is used infrequently (although, it is nice to have whenever the need arises). Tools are my only vise (no decent vices, though). *My real-retirement (I've already done it once ;) plans include a lot of woodworking. I have a very good income, plus retirement income, and I'm at the point in my life where expenses are going down, so can easily afford tools. *I like working with them, so they get bought while I can. *Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how to get the most out of yet. *That's the fun; learning. I have an okay vise I got for $20. As far as vices...well...need to ask the wife. Maybe I am a cheap b^st^rd but I don't have the money at this point in time. I think I need to learn how to do things right at first then move on to the toys. Who knows! LOL!!! I think no matter which way ya go, it is a slippery slope. |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Aug 2, 8:17*pm, Robatoy wrote:
On Aug 2, 7:09*pm, " wrote: *I like working with them, so they get bought while I can. *Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how to get the most out of yet. *That's the fun; learning. I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule! Holy heck!! A Domino?! That is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay outta my league! |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Aug 2, 8:31*pm, busbus wrote:
On Aug 2, 7:09*pm, " wrote: Somebody said it best within this thread that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxury of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. *I *do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanley planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have. That's an argument for Neander vs. Norm. *OTOH, I'm more of a Tim. *;-) I am starting to think I am more of a Neaderthal. I guess! *I have played with hand cut dovetails and even though they sort of look like a three-year-old cut some of them, I really liked it. *I think I like the PROCESS the most. *I love the quiet, too. *It was just relaxing. Does that make me a neander? *Maybe it does...I haven't really, really thought about that before but maybe you are on to something... Now that I have distanced myself from "Bigger, Better, Faster' type of thinking, I have found myself in the delicate balance of using modern day technology to achieve old world results. To wit: I have bought a set of scraper blades so I can remove, delicately, the machining marks from my cnc. That cnc is really nothing more than a 'roughing' machine. It gives me a chunk of wood that then needs to be coddled, scraped, fondled in neanderthal ways. Then finished with BLO and waxes and ****. |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Aug 2, 8:44*pm, Robatoy wrote:
On Aug 2, 8:31*pm, busbus wrote: On Aug 2, 7:09*pm, " wrote: Somebody said it best within this thread that Galoots Rule and the people way back when didn't have the luxury of having a bunch of tools and they put out some really nice stuff. *I *do* have a number of decent hand tools (chisels, some decent Stanley planes, an okay dovetail saw and a Japanese saw, squares, marking gauge, etc.) to go along with the few power tools I have. That's an argument for Neander vs. Norm. *OTOH, I'm more of a Tim. *;-) I am starting to think I am more of a Neaderthal. I guess! *I have played with hand cut dovetails and even though they sort of look like a three-year-old cut some of them, I really liked it. *I think I like the PROCESS the most. *I love the quiet, too. *It was just relaxing.. Does that make me a neander? *Maybe it does...I haven't really, really thought about that before but maybe you are on to something... Now that I have distanced myself from "Bigger, Better, Faster' type of thinking, I have found myself in the delicate balance of using modern day technology to achieve old world results. To wit: I have bought a set of scraper blades so I can remove, delicately, the machining marks from my cnc. That cnc is really nothing more than a 'roughing' machine. It gives me a chunk of wood that then needs to be coddled, scraped, fondled in neanderthal ways. Then finished with BLO and waxes and ****. Oh, and btw, I feel a bit oafy about getting caught up in the 'neil' debacle myself. I hope the 'Crew' here can cut me a little slack. |
On Topic: What to make to hone skills
On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:17:00 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
wrote: On Aug 2, 7:09*pm, " wrote: *I like working with them, so they get bought while I can. *Sure, I have a lot of tools I don't know how to get the most out of yet. *That's the fun; learning. I like admiring a nicely made precision tool. Nothing feels as nice as a fresh routerbit cutting a clean profile along the length of your favourite, hand-picked piece of cherry. Dominos rule! Haven't brought myself to the point of making that leap. Yet. You @$$#%@@ hooked me on a couple of FesteringTools, though. I'm hoping to "get by" with a MorticePal. |
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