- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Woodworkers here? Why it is great.
Posted on 4/4/26 at 9:09 am
Posted on 4/4/26 at 9:09 am
Very much a beginner, but I've already learned some things...
It's great because it is slow.
My whole career involved speed and quickeness.
Return to service times of four hours or less, deadlines and commitments to clients, etc.
With this I've learned to enjoy the methodical pace to make something square and true.
I've also learned that you can cut a board twice and it's still too short.
Also learned that a vacuum system is pretty much a necessity.
Happy Easter, OB.
It's great because it is slow.
My whole career involved speed and quickeness.
Return to service times of four hours or less, deadlines and commitments to clients, etc.
With this I've learned to enjoy the methodical pace to make something square and true.
I've also learned that you can cut a board twice and it's still too short.
Also learned that a vacuum system is pretty much a necessity.
Happy Easter, OB.
11
Posted on 4/4/26 at 9:51 am to N2cars
quote:
Happy Easter, OB.
Same to you.
I haven’t done much woodwork in a while but very much enjoy doing it.
I may actually enjoy the planning part more. My wife can tell me what she wants or show a pic and I can put it together in my mind but sometimes have problems putting it down on paper. Mostly use paper to write down my measurements. Normally works out though.
Posted on 4/4/26 at 10:14 am to N2cars
Yes i love it. I spend an average of 4 hours per day working in my woodshop. I have big 240v machines like cabinet table saw, jointer, planer, bandsaw and my dust collection is even 3 hp 240v. Good for my big furniture projects and cabinets.
But when I'm not doing a big project, I use my hand tools. I have quite a few really nice hand planes and it's fun to slow down and hand dimension and smooth a board. You don't need dust collection or hearing protection. Just the sound of a well tuned plane slicing wood fibers is very cathartic.
But out of all of my tools, I get the most joy out of a scalpel sharp chisel. Chisels are so versatile and can do just about any woodworking operation, just by paring or chopping.
I ordered the new Festool Domino 500RQ and it got delivered yesterday. Next week when I get back home, I will be testing it out on a cabinet build for my laundry room.
But when I'm not doing a big project, I use my hand tools. I have quite a few really nice hand planes and it's fun to slow down and hand dimension and smooth a board. You don't need dust collection or hearing protection. Just the sound of a well tuned plane slicing wood fibers is very cathartic.
But out of all of my tools, I get the most joy out of a scalpel sharp chisel. Chisels are so versatile and can do just about any woodworking operation, just by paring or chopping.
I ordered the new Festool Domino 500RQ and it got delivered yesterday. Next week when I get back home, I will be testing it out on a cabinet build for my laundry room.
Posted on 4/4/26 at 11:05 am to N2cars
quote:
I've also learned that you can cut a board twice and it's still too short.
One of the great mysteries of working with lumber.
Always amazes me when I measure things 3 or 4 times, cut the board, and that damn thing is still to long/short. Wth, board?! Doesn't happen often, but when it does, I just quit for the day.
Posted on 4/4/26 at 11:09 am to El Segundo Guy
I’m kinda in the same boat. I made a trip to Grizzly tools in Missouri at the beginning of COVID and loaded up. I was one of maybe 3 or 4 shoppers and had a great time picking up the tools. My favorite is turning wood on the elathe. I have worked in a cabinet shop way back so I have some knowledge from the past. I also have a sawmill and a homemade kiln to dry. I live in Natchez so if yall are passing through give me a holler. I should be able to find some wood that you can make a project
Posted on 4/4/26 at 11:14 am to Cowboyfan89
I always true up end grain cuts with a shooting board and plane to make sure the length is exactly right. To me, a miter saw is a roughing tool. I cut about an 1/8th long and then use a shooting board and shooting plane to sneak up on the exact length and also guaranteeing a perfect 90 degree cut. When making nice builds, sometimes I don't even use the miter saw, I use a Kataba Japanese pull saw to roughly cut to length and then to my shooting board.
It takes longer, but it works.
In my opinion, "woodworking" means precision and using available methods to ensure that the joinery is seamless. Carpentry work is different--you're going to be caulking seams so precision isn't nearly as important. Woodworking is a slower, more refined process.
It takes longer, but it works.
In my opinion, "woodworking" means precision and using available methods to ensure that the joinery is seamless. Carpentry work is different--you're going to be caulking seams so precision isn't nearly as important. Woodworking is a slower, more refined process.
This post was edited on 4/4/26 at 11:17 am
Posted on 4/4/26 at 11:26 am to Ppro
I wish I had a kiln. That's pretty badass. I have access to a kiln from a guy I know and he charges me per bf, but I have to wait until he's going to be firing the kiln up.
One of these days I plan on picking up a lathe and turning some green wood, but I'm backed up on projects for at least a year.
One of these days I plan on picking up a lathe and turning some green wood, but I'm backed up on projects for at least a year.
Posted on 4/4/26 at 11:33 am to El Segundo Guy
You're right, of course, about chisel.
I just ordered, I think, a real good hand sharpener.
I've learned even brand new ones aren't that sharp.
I just ordered, I think, a real good hand sharpener.
I've learned even brand new ones aren't that sharp.
Posted on 4/4/26 at 11:57 am to El Segundo Guy
I had no intention of getting a lathe. But I am glad I did. I will be upgrading to a powermatic 4224b in a couple of months. It’s very addicting in that you get quick satisfaction because projects can be completed in a short time. The best part of the woodworking is that my wife loves it also. She’s retired and works in the shop more than me. The only saw she doesn’t feel comfortable with is the bandsaw. Yes cutting our own wood and drying it helps a lot when you make the wrong cut. ??. But the stacking of lumber is a pain. We have access to more wood than we can cut
Posted on 4/4/26 at 12:35 pm to N2cars
Learn your hand tools first…planes, saws, and chisels.
Power tools are convenient.
You have to find which one gives you the most pride.
Power tools are convenient.
You have to find which one gives you the most pride.
Posted on 4/4/26 at 1:42 pm to N2cars
It’s a great way to go to your workshop, get away from your spouse. It’s also a great way to lose a few phalanges…
Posted on 4/4/26 at 9:03 pm to RichJ
I've haf to put it all on hold for a bit recovering from detached retina and torn retina, but I'll be at it shortly.
No sawing ar the moment.
Just been buying tools in the meantime.
No sawing ar the moment.
Just been buying tools in the meantime.
Posted on 4/5/26 at 4:37 am to N2cars
I'm an artist and currently making floater frames, for some of my work and get pissed at my 45's not being perfect, getting ready to make a shooting board, and looking for a good block plane to recondition, can't afford Lei Nelson or Wood River, nothing better than squaring a piece of wood with a hand plane
Posted on 4/5/26 at 5:43 am to N2cars
quote:
I've learned even brand new ones aren't that sharp
I ordered a set of made in usa stanley chisels during COVID.
They didn't look sharp. They didn't feel sharp. Touched the tip...and filleted my finger
Wife wanted a farmhouse table for the new house ... And for the cost I said I could outfit a woodshop. I refused to buy anything Chinese and still came out a few thousand ahead of that damned table.
What I built you could set 10 tons on
in four years it has dried down to about 350-400lbs. I enjoy it to the point I wish I could make a decent living doing it. It's perfectly peaceful and...centering
Posted on 4/6/26 at 2:21 pm to N2cars
My favorite part about is solving problems and building tools and jigs to accomplish what I am trying to accomplish. The only problem with that is I sometimes spend more time building a jig than it would take to just do it without a jig. I even enjoy sanding LOL....its also a lot like fishing and sex, you do not have to have the best equipment or be very good at it to have a helluva good time....
Posted on 4/6/26 at 2:26 pm to N2cars
No matter what you do in your wood working career, no matter how tempting, never buy a sawmill. You will wind up with lumber that can't be bought for any price and LOTS of it...but you will have NO time to use it. I have right at 15,000 BF of 50-75 year old SYP that is around 12% MC and is GORGEOUS. I have almost 4000 BF of Cherry, almost that much 1/4 sawn redoak, about 1000 bf of black walnut and hickory and god knows how much eastern red cedar and I have had time to make a box in so long I ain't sure I remember how....
Posted on 4/6/26 at 5:29 pm to AwgustaDawg
Well said.
Posted on 4/6/26 at 8:07 pm to N2cars
I'm getting too old. I have a Felder 12" jointer/planer if you want to buy one for a reasonable price. It has a helical cutter. My old Delta Unisaw is not worth much anymore.
Posted on 4/6/26 at 11:11 pm to N2cars
Those of you who enjoy woodworking and it's related challenges need to meet Dave Engels. He and his wife Diane own Engels Coach Shop in Joliet Montana. Dave is a past master at everything related to fancy woodworking and blacksmithing involved in hand building everything from buggies to mud wagons, to stagecoaches to 20 mule team borax wagons and even monster logging wheels. My wife and I visited them a couple of years ago on our 60th anniversary road trip.
Check him out at Engels Coach Shop
Check him out at Engels Coach Shop
Posted on 4/7/26 at 4:52 am to N2cars
I've only dabbled - just minor tweaks to existing things. I never "made" anything. I am enjoying applying tung oil to cutting boards and such (ETA: Which is certainly woodworking "adjacent".)
That's lost in the modern rush, most of the time. Anything with woodworking is very zen, IMHO.
quote:
It's great because it is slow.
That's lost in the modern rush, most of the time. Anything with woodworking is very zen, IMHO.
This post was edited on 4/7/26 at 4:53 am
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News