Woodworking: Where To Start - Tips From Experienced Woodworkers
Woodworking
encompasses a broad area of skills, specialties, and applications.
Some beginners take on too much too soon or blow their savings on
expensive woodworking tools and machines that they don't know how to use
and might not ever need. And even some basic techniques can be
confusing or easy to do incorrectly. Experienced woodworkers have some
simple, but insightful tips to help you get off to a good start.
Do Your Research
Initiative,
courage, a sense of adventure, these are all good things, and many fine
woodworkers learned their skills by just jumping in and trying to build
something. Chances are whatever they chose for their first project, it
came out better than they thought, but not really nice enough to use or
display. Even those brave souls that start from scratch with no
preparation often end up seeking out some books, magazines, or
experienced woodworkers to figure out how to do it right.
The
woodworkers we talked to stressed that a person can save themselves some
time and frustration by learning about the different aspects of
woodworking before starting a first project. Many suggested finding
some good books or magazines, either at the library for free or at the
bookstore. Start with the basics and learn about different forms of
woodworking, types of trees and woods and how they are used, various
tools, etc. - just the kind of information presented here in this
article.
"I have an entire corner of my garage filled with books
and magazines," shared Paul Johnson, who has been woodworking since he
was a young boy. "I subscribe to a couple and keep those that have
projects or techniques that I would like to try. I also buy a couple
new books every year. When I first started woodworking, I bought them
left and right; whenever I came across one that was recommended or had
information I wanted to learn. They help give me ideas for projects,"
he added. "I especially like those that come with patterns."
After
learning about the basics, you should have an idea of what type of
woodworking interests you, and you can move on to books or even classes
that teach hands on skills in that particular area.
Take Some Classes
In
fact taking classes was recommended by several of our experts. Whether
it's a beginning class through the local college or something taught by
an experienced woodworker, it will typically give you a good overview
of different tools and woodworking safety. Some building centers and
lumberyards also offer classes on basics or teach you how to make a
specific project.
If you aren't big on classes, but you know a
person who is skilled in woodworking, ask if they would let you assist
them with a project, or perhaps just sit and observe. Most woodworkers
are pleased to talk about their art and share it with others. Chances
are they will be happy to oblige.
Keep It Simple
The
answer, "Keep it simple," came up over and over, when asked for advice
for new woodworkers. Start with simple projects, preferably those that
use only hand tools. This way, you will learn how to do the important
things like measure, cut, shape and join. Getting good at those basic
skills is extremely important.
If you are brand new to woodworking
and haven't used tools much before, you might want to consider starting
with a precut kit. Most kits consist of wood that is already cut in
the appropriate shapes and sizes. It is up to you to follow the
directions and put the pieces together. These kits typically require
nailing, screwing, gluing, sanding, and finishing. You can make
birdhouses and feeders, benches, plant holders, and many other fun items
to get you started.
Even as you advance to more complex projects,
don't worry about planning and sizing your own lumber until you feel
comfortable and confident. You can buy lumber already prepped and cut
in many different widths. And table legs, chair spindles, and other
turned pieces are also readily available pre-made. Ease into some of
those more difficult projects over time, adding greater levels of
difficulty to each project.
Tool Tips
The suggestions
to keep it simple applied to woodworking tools as well. Most people
interviewed recommended buying tools as you need them and adding to your
selection as required for new projects. If a project is purchased as a
kit, or with printed instructions, the list of tools needed is
included. Depending on what type of projects you choose to start with,
you will typically need hammers, tape measure, clamps, a square, saws,
hand drills, and a set of chisels. These will probably cost you around
$200-$300 dollars.
Some woodworkers said that investing in a good
table saw early on was important, but only if you will be doing projects
with many cuts, especially those with different types of angles. For
most beginner projects, a handsaw, or perhaps a circular saw will
suffice.
It is strongly suggested that you begin by buying good
tools, but not top grade until you decide for certain that you want to
stick with woodworking. If it becomes clear that this will be an
ongoing interest, then consider buying the best quality tools you can
afford. Best quality doesn't always mean the most expensive, and you
will have to do your research.
Kevin Warner, who has been teaching
high school shop for over twenty years, had this to say about
woodworking tools. "At school, I have a limited budget for tools, but I
would rather buy a few high quality tools and have the kids share them
than spend my money on cheap equipment. There's nothing that will turn a
young beginner away from woodworking quicker than a crappy tool that
doesn't do what it should."
The same is true for home woodworking.
Our experts recommended spending as much as you could afford on the
basic tools like hammers, saws, screwdrivers, drills and bits. "These
are tools you will need around the house even if you don't pursue
woodworking," Sarah Greeley pointed out. "If you spend the money up
front, and care for them correctly, these tools will last you a lifetime
because you bought quality to begin with."
If you have a tight
budget, consider purchasing tools at an estate sale, auction or garage
sale. Some may have worn handles or look like they are rusty or dirty,
but if they are quality tools and generally sound, you can clean and
repair them for less than it would cost to purchase new.
In
general, you get what you pay for with woodworking tools, but sometimes
you pay for the name, or for features that you may not use in your
particular type of woodworking. So again, you will need to refer to
books, magazines, Web sites, and other woodworkers to learn more about
different types and brands of tools. And so you see, the tips have
brought you full circle, back to the research and learning, which is
what so many woodworkers stressed the most.
There is much to learn
and, as has been said, it is an ongoing process. But thanks to the
wealth of information out there about different aspects of woodworking,
and the many Web sites and Internet resources, it is easy to research
your questions. You just have to take the time.
