So just to get a little chatter going and I haven't ask one of these in a while, I thought today would be a good time.

When you are doing or planning a woodworking project, what is your favorite part of the project?

 

1. Drawing a scale drawing

 

2. Building a prototype

 

3. Dimensioning the material

 

4. Layout

 

5. Joinery

 

6. Assembly

 

7. Sanding

 

8. Staining or finishing

 

9. Just seeing the end results!

#2 is my favorite. 7 & 8 not so much!!

#9 I like to see the fruits of my fun! (most of the time it's not labor)

I'm an Espresso snob and really appreciate morning discussion like this.
As an old fashioned hand tool woodworker my favorite part each time is the initial "grain' work.
i.e. From Timber there is no grain work yet, it's not until I run a sharp chisel along an edge that I'm in bliss.

For me it is difficult. I really like the concept of a project and really like the whole process but I really love it when it is finished and I get to look at it and admire an accomplishment. To start with a tree, have it milled and watch it turn into to something beautiful is the reason I am a woodworker.

#3-#6 I like, #7 isn't needed anymore. Seeing not so the the results, but the reactions to the finished project are what drives things.

Prototypes? What are those? I thought everything I made was a "one-off". I need the wood for the project itself, and not wasted on a prototype thingy...

 

 

I don't do prototypes either Steve. Sometimes I don't even do a drawing. A lot of time it is in my head as I go.

 

Depending on the project. I like the initial setup and drawing followed by the other steps. But if I had to pick just one part, it would be seeing the reactions to the finished pieces. Not real fond of sanding, consider it a necessary evil, although it completes the build and getting it ready for finish.

Don't do 1 & 2. But I do like all that's entailed in 3 thru 9.

Since there is no longer a wood burning stove in the shop, I might oughtta do 1 & 2.

 

Actually, mine is a two-part Number One.

I like to do an initial design in my head first. Then, after agonizing over that until I understand what I want, I'll do a formal design using my Canvas CAD program. (Some of you have seen some of them here..)

 

Then, make it! No prototypes. If you understand the design requirements, why do one?

 

 

Larry

 

Greetings All

As a woodturner, number 9 especially when other turners comment "Looks very good, I like it".

 

 

Hate number 7, when doing it at wrong speed, it means burning fingers. But if I have managed to use correct tools and angles, there shouldn't be much sanding done and that is the target.

 

SANDING ~!!!!! SANDING~!!!

 

 

 

@#$%^&* cursed SANDING~????!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

YGTBK right?

 

 

A Blog post on Scrapers is coming soon, NO MORE SANDING. Scrapers are Gooder.

Great answer guys. Love all of the input.

Mark I will be looking forward to your article on Scraper.

 

 

John, I'd have to say that # 6 Assembly is my favorite part, I just love seeing it all come together after all that planning and cursing! Sanding it my worse part, and of course the best part is completion, when you know you did a fine job, it all just feels good!

I'd have to say 7-9

Brought up from the archives, and still relevant today! We can start this topic back up easily, so what say you all?

When doing case work I would have to say finishing. I really like a nice lacquer finish, deep, smooth and velvety when it's done right and that just makes the rest of a project pop IMO. A part of most projects that wasn't mentioned is making a jigs. I think I get as much satisfaction making a good jig as any other woodworking.

As a turner, just using the tools, getting that sweet cut and getting that nice form is very rewarding.

 

Steve

On 4/23/2014 at 11:00 AM, Mark Wisecarver said:

I'm an Espresso snob and really appreciate morning discussion like this.
 

 

My typical steps are:

1. Sketch, not necessarily to scale, with critical dimensions.

2. Wood selection, species, grain patterns, etc.

3. What I call "Making a bunch of long, narrow boards into short, wide, smooth boards."

4. Joinery cutting and fitting

5. Assembly

6. Finish prep, e.g., sanding

7.Finishing.

 

Of those, I'd say #4 and #7

 

But when I first read "espresso," I thought the conversation was going to a black finish with red undertones. So I guess I like #7 better than most people.

3,8,9 for me.  Enjoy getting the boards milled straight and square then finishing them then looking at the result.  The least liked buying the lumber and doing the final sanding.

I like scraping.