Do you guys have any good links on getting started in woodworking?
I want to start building some simple furniture like a coffee table to start, maybe some bookshelves later.
I find some plans for some decent looking tables, but these sites want to charge 10-15$ for the plans.
Can anyone give me a basic rundown on what tools i might need like a table saw, planer… etc..
thanks
Replies
You are better off posting this in Knots on the Fine Woodworking site.
"It is what it is."
A good budget place to start would be your local library.
Then on to the junior college,or adult ed center, where most communities of any decent size have woodworking shop classes available. That way you can begin to get the hang of it all, and pointers on safety before you invest a small fortune, and scare the bejeebers out of yourself by almost cutting your thumb off.
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I think the first woodworking project a beginner should tackle is a box. Nothing fancy. Just a plain box of any size you like with a hinged lid. You'll learn a lot just doing that.
You'll probably need a table saw, router, drill, sander (pad or random orbit), chisels and a decent work bench. Now that I think about it, maybe a work bench should be your first project.
my first project was a 6"x6" square x3/4.this was a seventh grade wood class and it had to be that exact measurement and perfectly square.teacher used cailpers to check it.1/16 off he would toss it and time to start over.
i'm telling you that one class went thru enough wood to build a small house trying to get it right,took me 6 weeks and i still remember it,it was made out of poplar.lol larryif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Aw, c'mon how hard can a simple box be :-)
My first project was a box also. It too me quite a while to make a piece of junk, but I sure was proud of it.
Woodsmith magazine might be a good place to start. The projects are decent quality, and they walk you through every step.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
thanks for the great suggestions guys.I would take a course but i work 7 days a week now and time is an issue. I am pretty good with my hands, and love to learn new skills so I think I have some more reading to go do..:)
Check this out. looks like they will send you a free sample issue. You can also find it in the magazine section of Lowes and HD.
http://www.woodsmith.com/
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Osmosis.
Not to pimp the site but the sister ship (Fine Woodworking) wouldn't be a bad place to start reading.
And somebody might have a good deal on like 200 back issues.