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Wood Working - 6/2/2011 6:00:16 AM

MasterJohnSteed

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right now I am unemployed, so I've been watching a lot of tv. My favorite thing on daytime TV has been the Wood wright shop on PBS.

All that traditional wood working has got me psyched. Chisels and hammer, dove tailing and the whole thing.

However the first thing I want to do when I get a job is to get one of these Kreg Jig things.

You line up the wood, bore a pilot hole, put a screw through two pieces of wood done.

I have this insane desire to build a new computer Desk, and possibly an entertainment stand.

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 6:25:48 AM

LadyConstanze

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The problem will be getting wood that is wide enough, you can buy glued planks... The whole problem is that if you want wood that is wider than boards, it's getting expensive and rare, or it's quite warped and not straight.

The house here is a bit odd, basically everything that's not made to measure just doesn't fit right (it looks stupid if a piece sticks out too much or comes to short), so I made a lot of shelves just to use the space a bit better. It can be quite time consuming, but at least you get stuff exactly the way you want it and in the right sizes.

I'd recommend that you start with something that's not too visible and you can experiment a bit (maybe a storage department for the basement or the garage) and then take it from there.

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 6:32:39 AM

MasterG2kTR

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Don't believe everything you see on those DIY shows. They make it look easy because they have everything set up perfectly. They also do a lot of re-takes for the show because they make a lot of mistakes (read: scrap).

Doing woodwork with hand tools takes a LOT of practice to get it right. I'm not saying it can't be done, but don't expect anything close to perfection. Can you make something that looks relatively nice as well as being functional, yes! Take your time. Research different construction methods. Take a good look at different hardware (fasteners, hinges, drawer slides, etc.) Also do your homework on what materials will work best for you. I could go on and on here and bury you in information, but this is enough to get you started thinking it thru.

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 6:41:01 AM

MasterG2kTR

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quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyConstanze

The problem will be getting wood that is wide enough, you can buy glued planks... The whole problem is that if you want wood that is wider than boards, it's getting expensive and rare, or it's quite warped and not straight.

LC,

Actually when working with solid lumber, having glued planks for wide surfaces is preferable as that actually helps to prevent warping. A skilled woodworker knows how to arrange boards for edge gluing to prevent warpage. In addition you also start with added thickness and after gluing you surface plane to final thickness. A single piece that is very wide is almost guaranteed to warp, cup or twist.

Something else that can be done and is more common these days is to put solid lumber edging on plywood. If you want to go the added step to hide the glue joints you then veneer the whole surface to make it look like solid lumber.

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 7:55:24 AM

SternSkipper

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Before you tackle doing a treadle or pole lathe.
You should get yourself 4 or so steel wedges a good hewing hatchet, and a draw shave. And what you should build first is a shving horse.
Roy Underhill published a GREAT book after the name of the show which I had back in the early 80s and I am sure is still around. A good shaving horse is fun to build. you lear how to harvest a tree properly, and it teaches you fundamentals like splitting out a rough plank.
If you need any advice on green woodworking, contact me via PM... I can point you to a LOT of resources. I have 27 years of experience and even considering going back to it as a career since i am tired of competing with less skilled networking engineers for my living.

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 8:02:35 AM

SternSkipper

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If he's following Roy Underhill's show, 'finding wider stock' is as easy as hugging a tree .... TO DEATH.
Where I live, you could thin trees for a hundred years without impacting the environment in anything other than a positive way. But that is BECAUSE there are few doing green woodworking in the area.

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 8:06:18 AM

pahunkboy

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Before sinking alot of money into it- you could see if the Y or the college has any classes on it. Or even explore the library.

I was able to do some projects at this place and the old place with scrap wood- basic tools most have already. For instance- I installed kick board into the stair way. I wanted a more home look- I painted the grout of the cinder block wall and made it look more brick like. The wall was 2 stories- so higher up- I made a coble stone effect.

Here in my yard- I did it up nice... all for not much cash. Just some creativity and elbow grease. Am I happy with all of it- no. But I am happy with most of it.

< Message edited by pahunkboy -- 6/2/2011 8:07:02 AM >

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 8:08:14 AM

SternSkipper

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quote:

Don't believe everything you see on those DIY shows. They make it look easy because they have everything set up perfectly. They also do a lot of re-takes for the show because they make a lot of mistakes (read: scrap).

I agree to the extent that he's got a lot of work ahead. But if he starts by making stuff he can EASILY hew and take to say a general store for sale off the porch, he can eek a modest living out of it... I started out back in 82 selling wooden rakes I made that while most people bought them as decoration, they were MORE functional than modern takes. They took about an hour to make in batches, and I charged $35 and they went like hotcakes. Course i lived in Newport, RI at the time and location DOES make a sales difference.

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 8:12:56 AM

SternSkipper

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quote:

Before sinking alot of money into it- you could see if the Y or the college has any classes on it. Or even explore the library.

Roy Underhill Published at least two Books that I used as my starting point and they are SUPERB. "The Woodright's Shop" and "The Woodright's Companion"... everything you need in the way of knowledge for a basic start is there.

Here's the whole bibliography on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Roy-Underhill/e/B001JSBCO0

< Message edited by SternSkipper -- 6/2/2011 8:13:13 AM >

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 8:14:42 AM

SternSkipper

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JohnSteed.... You aren't anywhere near Willimsburg VA, are you? You could actually attend a course taught by Roy there.

I know which book of Roy's I will read next...
Khrushchev's Shoe: And Other Ways to Captivate an Audience of 1 to 1,000

< Message edited by SternSkipper -- 6/2/2011 8:17:15 AM >

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 8:36:10 AM

MasterJohnSteed

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Well, I have one of those Wal-mart Specials from about ten years ago, as my computer desk. It has out lived its usefulness. The Particle board is breaking. The drawer rails are bent and don't let the keyboard plank go back in all the way.

I am frustrated, if I could get a freaking job, I would love to try to do something that would last and would be around for years. Something that my niece and nephews would fight over when I pass on.

Ya know Harrison Ford was a carpenter, he went to the library read up on the subject and went to work. Some Hollywood stars actually have pieces that he did when he was struggling, before he became a star.

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 8:39:06 AM

pahunkboy

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Tell me about cheap furniture! I stood on an end table to install the AC and the thing disintegrated.

I got my computer desks... and it is more then 1 at a thrift store- they are commercial grade- so they last a long time.

< Message edited by pahunkboy -- 6/2/2011 8:40:55 AM >

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 8:42:21 AM

MistressEllen444

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Why not start out really small? Case goods all depend on great jointing and for me there was no better way to learn than to get a dovetail saw and some small pieces of wood. If you know someone with a shop or can do a posting on Craigslist, ask for odd pieces. Learning dovetails takes patience (you need a lot with woodworking, as mentioned above, the shows make it look far too easy) and it gives you an idea of how to work with grains and making small adjustments. Just my opinion, but my hand saw was the beginning of some beautiful projects. Make some beautiful small boxes, you can always incorporate them into a new desk later on or just display them as practical works of art.

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RE: Wood Working - 6/2/2011 8:45:04 AM

pahunkboy

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Scrap wood is easy to get. Some of the best wood I got was from a dumpster rehab. Cherry wood. FOr the life of me- I dont know why they tore it out. I made it into shelves.

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