Hi all. I am just getting started in woodworking. My former hobby and passion was cooking. I am just getting over throat cancer. Don't worry all is well. They killed the nasty beast. However it has left me with some side effects to where I can not taste food very well or swallow very well. Doctor told me to get a new passion and I have taken up woodworking. A friend of mine has helped me build a set of cabinets for my garage. I never ever thought I could build something that looked this nice. I will try and get some pictures up by the end of the week. My question to you folks is how or where do I go to learn more on woodworking. I am 59 years old and have found that I learn best by doing or hands on type training. I live just north of Portland, Oregon. Any DVDs that you would suggest I try viewing. I have been lurking here on this site for a month and decided to jump in and start asking questions. My former passion was BBQ contests, if anyone has any questions on how to BBQ or make homemade sausage feel free to ask. I love turning other folks onto BBQ and Sausage making.

Thanks

Dan

Well alright then Dan! Glad you made the jump, into the discussions, and into woodworking! And you bet I'll hit you up for some BBQ recipes. Look, right off the bat, I know of a wonderful place to get the DVD's your looking for, this guy will show you the ropes in his DVDs. You can go to Charles Neil, he has an entire set of DVDs that'll blow you away, and you can follow along on some of his projects as well.

So that should take care of your DVD needs, now for some good down home discussion about tools, woodworking, techniques and good ol fashioned camaraderie, you can come here anytime. And we can show you how to get the most out of your woodworking as well. You'll get a lot from Charles Neil's programs, but don't forget to drop by here and get some more from us. We are here for you, use us, abuse us, we love to help out folks just gettin up and running!

So for now, ask away, what can we help you with first?

Dan, while we do have alot of videos for sale, we also have a series going on on you tube that is a basic 101 woodworking series , where we are building a pie safe, and its free, so perpahps give it a look and there are currently 16 approx 30 min videos up, check it out

 

charles

Thanks guys for the fast reply. As for tools. I just bought a Bosch Contractor Table Saw. I am limited to space. I will be working in my garage. My friend showed me how to use a plane and I fell in love with it. I am thinking I want to use hand tools as much as possible. I bought a set of planes from Stanley. I have a small orbital sander and a Kreg Pocket Jig. That is it for tools. I will check out Charles's videos tonight when I get home . Any suggestions on basic tools.

Dan

Congratulations on jumping in Dan. Glad you have you posting and I promise we don't bite, we are all here to help and share with one another.

 

Hand tools are a one of those things that is a real passion. You will really enjoy using those and learning along the way. Of course to use them you need something or a way to keep the sharp. There are many ways of doing that from what is know as the "scary sharp" method to many different types of tools to help you put an edge on the tool. You can got again to youtube and search "scary sharp" and find videos on how to sharpen a plane.

 

Basic tools will include lots of things. The great thing about woodworking is collecting all of the tools. Sometimes it is as much fun as building.   Cordless drills, jig saws, circular saws will allow you to build many things

 

Routers will allow you to do many things in the construction of cabinets and the like.

 

A planer will help with getting a board surface flat even if you are using dimensional lumber from the Big Box stores. If you jump into buying lumber from the saw mills in the rough you will really want a planer at that point. There is a lot of different opinions on a jointer and I am sure you will find out much about that as we go.

 

A Compound Miter Saw or a SCMS will also be a big plus in cutting miters and angles.

 

I am sure others will jump in and add to but those are some items that would get you going.

 

Just keep you eyes open and look for deals.

Welcome aboard Dan.  If you're like the rest of us you'll find your niche in woodworking.  None of us here like to build the same thing.  Some like furniture, some smaller pieces and some construction.  If you have someone in your area that you can team up with to learn the basics you'll be off and running in a flash. 

Dan, I forgot earlier but if you have a Woodcraft store near you they teach classes on various things. You can check out their web site. They usually do a 101 class to help you get started.

Great advice Gene. 

Gene Howe said:

At some time you will be working with plywood, I'd assume. With the small table saw, you will need to break down sheets of ply. You probably did this in building your cabinets. For this you'll need a GOOD circular saw with a GOOD blade, and and a well constructed guide to insure accurate cuts. 

And clamps!!!! you can never own enough clamps!!!!

Oh, and be sure to ck out "Scary Sharp: as John suggests.

A final thought re: Accuracy. I’ve usually found working to “relative accuracy†works better than

working to absolute accuracy. The goal is a good fit, not to work to some arbitrary plan dimensions. 

Have fun, be safe, and don't sweat the small stuff! 

I have a dumb question. What is the difference between a planer and a jointer?

Thanks

Dan

A jointer is used to put a square edge or flat surface on a piece of wood. A planer is used to make a parallel  surface to another surface. I use a jointer to flatten 1 side of a rough sawn board, then use the planer to bring it to the final even thickness.

bob

Drill, screwgun, drill bits and screwgun bits, a japanes pull saw, A Soft rubber mallet and Bessey cabinet clamps would make a good start.

 

It's gonna be like buying your pots and pans so remember, good ain't cheap.

 

Just ask us about ANY tool.  Chances are, we own it!!!

 

By the way, that BOSCH saw, is that the one you can take the saw off and the base that folds up?

 

It's a very versatile saw and will do most anything you ask of it.  Good choice.

 

My contractor freind owns one and I have the ridgid version with the built in wheel cart!!