| If you think back to the conversation I overheard in the bookstore, it illustrates one novice woodworker that planned to embark on producing cigar humidors for sale. Having little knowledge of woodworking joints, it was his intention to design and construct a potentially difficult project. Notice that I included design and construct. For most novice woodworkers, this is biting off a little too much, too soon.
A few years back on rec.woodworking, there was a man who promised his future in-laws that he would build them a four poster bed, with shaker style, octagonal posts. He indicated that he was desperately in need of assistance for fear that he would be divorced before he was even married. In this case, we have another novice who has taken on too much. Be careful how you start, and what you promise. Woodworking is a craft that you should enjoy, for the right reasons.
As I mentioned before, woodworking projects must be designed and constructed. This is a two stage process. The beginner probably should not undertake to design his own projects. There are many fine books in print that will provide you with patterns for whatever you would like to make.
Woodworking magazines offer an endless supply, delivered to your door every month. The best advice is to build something for which there is a pattern already available. In certain cases, however, this is not completely practical. If, for example, you were planning to build a wall unit for your family room, it is unlikely that you will find a pattern that fits the dimensions of your space perfectly. In this position, I would recommend finding a pattern for a wall unit in a design book, and simply increase or decrease the dimensions of each shelf section, or add sections until it fits. Make sure that you keep the proportions of the piece.
Following this advice will help you develop your woodworking skills and understanding of the use of various joints. Most woodworking joints were designed to fulfil specific needs and you will have to learn these. It is wise to develop the skills so that when you take the leap into designing your own projects, you will have a solid foundation in practice. You will know that you join a lower shelf in a bathroom cabinet to the side, that you can use a sliding dovetail or a rabbet, although many practicing cabinet shops use biscuit splines or a butt joint with screws.
When you begin to know how a piece is supposed to be joined together before you finish reading the plan, you are really ready to make the leap into designing your own projects. Before you do, go to the library and check out a couple books on furniture design. In the long run, you will understand more clearly concepts like proportion and weight, and your furniture, cabinets, boxes or turnings will look truly professional. Tage Frid, long a guru of the woodworking world, suggests that you "design around construction". In building projects designed by others you will learn to get a feel for construction techniques, what works for you and what doesn't, which will logically proceed to the need or desire to design for yourself.
This will also assist your tool acquisition. You buy only the tools that match the construction methods you prefer. Remember too that there is more than one way to accomplish any woodworking task. It is accepted that the best drawer front to drawer side joint is the dovetail. This joint can be cut with a router and an expensive jig, or a router and a low-cost jig, or with a handsaw and chisels. Each of these three situations will require a different investment in both money and type of tools.
When picking out a pattern, make sure that the project you chose isn't too large. For a first project I would suggest something that requires little finish and can be done in a day or two. Set small goals for yourself at first, then as you complete them your confidence will grow. In my opinion, a beginning woodworker should start with projects that he can use himself. As a first project try a tool box. Tool boxes are very useful in the shop. Bringing order to the shop will help you in future projects.
Other projects you might try are saw horses or a work bench. I agree with those that think a woodworker should build his own bench. My reasoning for this lies in the fact that only you can decide what works best for you. Try to learn to use your tools in a safe manner consistent with functions for which they were designed. In this way you will discover that your workbench, or workspace, should be tailored to your needs and abilities. As your skills grow, and your bench wears out, you will understand how to change your bench so it suits your woodworking style more effectively. For ideas look to The Workbench Book by Scott Landis. Landis shows the multiplicity in design elements of work benches. There are plans too, although I wouldn't have built from them my first time out. However, If you choose a simple plan, and perhaps make some personal adjustments based on the features that you find in Landis' book, you will have a decent start. Another reference I highly suggest is The New Yankee Workshop which is a book based on the first season of the venerated and successful PBS show. In his second episode, Norm Abram builds a variant of the standard furniture/cabinetmaker joinery bench. I built one of these after the show first aired and I still use it as my main bench.
Once having produced a few projects to assist you in your new craft, look to projects that interest you. If you are not building something you like, you will soon set it aside altogether. Many newbies "cut their teeth" on crafty projects. These include small benches, little shelves for trinkets and curios, small toys, and general household and decorating bric a brac. These are excellent projects on which to learn and refine hand tool and portable power tool skills. Many of these projects involve, and indeed are more handsome with, the use of inexpensive softwoods. These types of wood are easy to work and give satisfying results. Usually curves and interesting shapes are involved, and the finishes can be as simple or complex as you like. If you, or your significant other, have an interest in tole painting, these are perfect projects to decorate. Craft projects also have a built in bonus; if you are interested in making some money, they can be easily salable and can furnish you with extra income. Again, pulling plans out of craft magazines may work for you, but to maximize your earnings form this type of project you will have to begin using your own creativity.
If building furniture is more to your liking, there are a plethora of books available that contain plans for furniture. There are also several excellent magazines that offer plans in nearly every issue. Your local library is usually another excellent source. These books and magazines can be found in most bookstores, the magazines in – where else – the magazine section, and the books in the woodworking, craft, home and garden, or other section. One word of caution is that many bookstores hide these publications in areas that one usually wouldn't consider looking in. Why they do this, I'll never know, but if in doubt ask. One other, often overlooked place to search is your local woodworking supplier. Most large centers often have a store that caters to tool purchasers and woodworkers. Once you have hunted around, and read a few magazines, you will have a fairly good indication of the specific book you are looking for. Woodworking supply stores generally have those titles you frequently can't find elsewhere.
If you are interested in carving, scroll saw patterns, turning, or any other endeavor, the previous information is equally applicable. |
