AFJF Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 And no, I'm not talking about the "wood working" that goes on in the mod lounge...legitimately looking for a new hobby and started buying tools yesterday. I havne't done anything like that in a couple decades since HS, and I sucked at it then. Any suggestions for starting out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard King Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 And no, I'm not talking about the "wood working" that goes on in the mod lounge...legitimately looking for a new hobby and started buying tools yesterday. I havne't done anything like that in a couple decades since HS, and I sucked at it then. Any suggestions for starting out? I'm sanding and refinishing a dining set and wouldn't suggest doing it. Takes tons and tons of your spare time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFJF Posted July 10, 2014 Author Share Posted July 10, 2014 I'm sanding and refinishing a dining set and wouldn't suggest doing it. Takes tons and tons of your spare time. Even if you use an electric one? I think there's probably a lot of detail involved in that too. I'm gonna' start small and try to build a chest/wine rack type of thing and see how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RutgersJetFan Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I'm sanding and refinishing a dining set and wouldn't suggest doing it. Takes tons and tons of your spare time. Stripping and staining is a huge commitment, even for something small. I've done a few pieces over the years, each one takes me a very long time. Very fulfilling work though. Invest in good sanders. A belt and sheet sander at minimum, and orbital/detailing sanders if you can swing it. Latest piece is this. An old table we found in a thrift shop. This was when I started, but I'm still in the coarse stage because it's a very old table with a ton of nicks. It was a real find because the wood underneath is just beautiful. I'm thinking about keeping the natural color and just putting some finish over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RutgersJetFan Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Even if you use an electric one? I think there's probably a lot of detail involved in that too. I'm gonna' start small and try to build a chest/wine rack type of thing and see how it goes. Absolutely. Especially with older pieces, there can be a ton of work to do in the stripping stages; getting nicks out, keeping everything straight, and getting all of the stain off (which can sometimes be a bitch with the really old stuff). If you're really aiming for a great looking piece, you have to take your time with it and really use the different levels of sandpaper. Not that there is anything wrong with going from coarse to extra fine, but when you put the extra time in, it shows. Even with a belt or orbital sander. My advice to you, for a first time piece, is get something that's very simple. Something without shelves or a lot of little nooks and crannies. A coffee table or something like a box is a great place to start. Stripping and staining can be very fulfilling work but there is a lot of trial and error involved in learning and the last thing you want is a big cabinet in the middle of your home with stain spots on it. The good news is that stain is a LOT more forgiving nowadays. The stuff they make now is very simple wipe on/wipe off stain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard King Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Even if you use an electric one? I think there's probably a lot of detail involved in that too. I'm gonna' start small and try to build a chest/wine rack type of thing and see how it goes. I'm using a DeWalt orbital, and I'll tell you right now, make sure you get the right size sander. If it's too big you are going to waste a lot of time getting the small curves etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard King Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Stripping and staining is a huge commitment, even for something small. I've done a few pieces over the years, each one takes me a very long time. Very fulfilling work though. Invest in good sanders. A belt and sheet sander at minimum, and orbital/detailing sanders if you can swing it. Latest piece is this. An old table we found in a thrift shop. This was when I started, but I'm still in the coarse stage because it's a very old table with a ton of nicks. It was a real find because the wood underneath is just beautiful. I'm thinking about keeping the natural color and just putting some finish over it. It is a garage sale table, and I'll echo the personal fulfillment as chair by chair gets done, but there's no conceivable short cut and it's a lot of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFJF Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 Thanks for the tips guys. I'm looking at grabbing a black and decker mouse sander to start with. Looks pretty small and I've read some good reviews on it. Looks like it's pretty easy to find some pallets to start stripping down and making in to something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFJF Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 Oooookayyyyy...I started this thread a few weeks ago, but it's taken me this long to get all the tools (I think) I'll need. Got some clamps and table saw today which was the last of the vital items. So, time to get my hands on some lumber and see what I can do. Great thing is, I got a ton of stuff on on craigslist for dirt cheap. i figure if I'm horrible at at, I can sell it for pretty much what I paid. We shall see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I masturbate alot. Also will be giving the actual wood working thing a shot. Could not know less going in, but there is an internet for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFJF Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 I masturbate alot. Also will be giving the actual wood working thing a shot. Could not know less going in, but there is an internet for that. I've seen some youtube stuff that's done by a guy (forget his name) who is really quirky and odd, but he lays down the basics and offers what seems to be some pretty solid advice. If you search "wood working for mere mortals" on youtube, you'll find him. Let me know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Thanks, I'll check it out before I hurt myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriotReign37 Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 And no, I'm not talking about the "wood working" that goes on in the mod lounge...legitimately looking for a new hobby and started buying tools yesterday. I havne't done anything like that in a couple decades since HS, and I sucked at it then. Any suggestions for starting out? You've come to the right place. 1. A table saw and miter box are mandatory. Might as well get a compound slide miter box if finances allow. Having both these tools allows you to rip and crosscut lumber. IMO, the most important part if these saws is the blade. Buy good blades for quality of cuts, safety and ease of use. 2. A biscuit joiner and Kreig Jig. Its about concealing the fasteners and strong joints. You can just about build a bookshelf, coffee table, end tables or night stand with just these fastening tools and glue. 3. A plunge router. You can make moldings and round over table tops and such. 4. A couple of good drills. One with a chuck for the Kreig jig. 5. Eventually a surface planer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFJF Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 You've come to the right place. 1. A table saw and miter box are mandatory. Might as well get a compound slide miter box if finances allow. Having both these tools allows you to rip and crosscut lumber. IMO, the most important part if these saws is the blade. Buy good blades for quality of cuts, safety and ease of use. 2. A biscuit joiner and Kreig Jig. Its about concealing the fasteners and strong joints. You can just about build a bookshelf, coffee table, end tables or night stand with just these fastening tools and glue. 3. A plunge router. You can make moldings and round over table tops and such. 4. A couple of good drills. One with a chuck for the Kreig jig. 5. Eventually a surface planer. I've got a decent amount of stuff now, but waiting on gettin started. Wasn't thinking ahead and considering that it may annoy some of the folks nearby in the townhome complex so planning on having a large shed/wood shop but a good one runs about a grand. Gotta' hold off to fly to England in a couple months. But back the tools...so far I have.. Plunge router, framing nail gun, finishing nail gun, tons of clamps, table saw, miter saw, ban saw, drill press, and a few others that are stashed away but can't think of at the moment. Really looking forward to getting going at some point. Thanks for the tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 At OP sounds awesome. I never got much into finished carpentry. I like building structures. Did a small (one story) deck, a nice four step porch and a couple fences. Did a small shed too but got a bit of help with it. Would like to do one with my sons at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriotReign37 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 At OP sounds awesome. I never got much into finished carpentry. I like building structures. Did a small (one story) deck, a nice four step porch and a couple fences. Did a small shed too but got a bit of help with it. Would like to do one with my sons at some point. Didn't know that youre a builder too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriotReign37 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I've got a decent amount of stuff now, but waiting on gettin started. Wasn't thinking ahead and considering that it may annoy some of the folks nearby in the townhome complex so planning on having a large shed/wood shop but a good one runs about a grand. Gotta' hold off to fly to England in a couple months. But back the tools...so far I have.. Plunge router, framing nail gun, finishing nail gun, tons of clamps, table saw, miter saw, ban saw, drill press, and a few others that are stashed away but can't think of at the moment. Really looking forward to getting going at some point. Thanks for the tips. Im not telling you what to do, bit I would start by building a work table for the shop, Then, a storage type counter/cabinet for tools, glue, fasteners, etc. And, a rack to hang clamps. There should be plenty of plans and videos on the web. 3/4 plywood (not OSB or particleboard) goes a long way and you get good bang your buck. If I need to rip down the 4 x 8 sheet into pieces more manageable for the table saw I use a hand held circular saw, 2 x 4 straight edge and clamps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFJF Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Im not telling you what to do, bit I would start by building a work table for the shop, Then, a storage type counter/cabinet for tools, glue, fasteners, etc. And, a rack to hang clamps. There should be plenty of plans and videos on the web. 3/4 plywood (not OSB or particleboard) goes a long way and you get good bang your buck. If I need to rip down the 4 x 8 sheet into pieces more manageable for the table saw I use a hand held circular saw, 2 x 4 straight edge and clamps. That's actually what I'm planning on doing, but considering getting one of the sheds that has a large work surface pre-installed so I have something to mount the tools on to begin with, and I'll probably build an "island" work bench but it'll probably be pretty small. I'm thinking along the lines of 12x10 for the size of the shop. Oh yeah...got a couple circular saws too so that shouldn't be a problem. Keep the tips coming...all appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Didn't know that youre a builder too. My grandfather's idea of quality time was digging foundations and building things. A builder? No. More of an affliction from childhood. LoL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernJet Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 My grandfather's idea of quality time was digging foundations and building things. A builder? No. More of an affliction from childhood. LoL who knew Crusher was a Renaissance Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriotReign37 Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 That's actually what I'm planning on doing, but considering getting one of the sheds that has a large work surface pre-installed so I have something to mount the tools on to begin with, and I'll probably build an "island" work bench but it'll probably be pretty small. I'm thinking along the lines of 12x10 for the size of the shop. Oh yeah...got a couple circular saws too so that shouldn't be a problem. Keep the tips coming...all appreciated. Where do you live? Crusher can build that shed over a weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriotReign37 Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 My grandfather's idea of quality time was digging foundations and building things. A builder? No. More of an affliction from childhood. LoL Its in your blood now. At least you can build someplace to sleep in the backyard when the Mrs gets mad and kicks you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Its in your blood now. At least you can build someplace to sleep in the backyard when the Mrs gets mad and kicks you out. Not sure I could handle building a structure that large. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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