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  1. #1
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    Default BRAND new - what type of wood?

    Hi all, ok so I've always loved woodwork but never done it. My first project I want to make is a display for my partners baseballs and bat - so super simple - my first question but - what type of wood should I be looking at for things like this? I have some similar simple projects in mind to start.

    I'm based on the Tablelands in Far North Qld if that makes any difference. Many thanks.

    Oh any ideas on basics starting equipment greatly appreciated too

    Thank you

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  3. #2
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    Welcome to the forum.

    Ross

  4. #3
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    I can't help at all, I'm afraid....I'm only abt a month "older" than you. But it's nice to not be the only newbie. I've found ppl here are very knowledgeable and helpful. Welcome [emoji846]

  5. #4
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    Welcome

    a word of caution, your first project is not as simple as it sounds -- you want the baseballs and bat to be the objects on display, not the woodwork.
    Typically this would mean selecting a wood that either frames the bat and balls, or "disappears" into the background.
    so no busy grain or other feature, simple understated design, and competent joinery



    Starting equipment?
    the answer is a bit like "how long is a piece of string"

    perhaps the best initial purchase is some reference books.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
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    You are blessed by location: Far North Queensland is one of the worlds great timber treasure houses, with some of the most sort after timbers in existence growing here. Much of it may be locked up by world heritage listing and the heyday of the timber industry is gone, but there are still a few mills left, plus a number of portable sawmillers. You wont have too much trouble sourcing nice woods.

    Perhaps the biggest problem you'll have is choosing what to start with - the array of species to choose from is vast.

    Where on the Tablelands are you? I might be able to point you in the right direction for who to talk to regarding local supply. Or you're welcome to wander down here (Tully) and see what we have in stock.

  7. #6
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    For beginners I tend to recommend good old pine from the hardware, plus stain if you want a different colour. Once you get the hang of it you can look at better timbers.

    Having said that, if John is close to you, you can get good timbers at hardware pine prices.
    Neil
    ____________________________________________
    Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by dai sensei View Post
    For beginners I tend to recommend good old pine from the hardware, plus stain if you want a different colour. Once you get the hang of it you can look at better timbers.
    I understand your thinking, but once you factor in the cost of the tools you need, Radiata has to be one of the worst choices to learn on. For small scale projects -- like a frame or a box -- the additional cost of decent, easily worked wood is not that much.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  9. #8
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    Mobyturns is offline In An Instant Your Life Can Change Forever
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    Its more a case of what tools and machinery do you have access to now, or what will your budget permit you to acquire for the project. Your first project will always be horrendeously expensive when you factor in purchasing basic tools, workshop consumables (sandpaper etc) then finishes. It will also be your pride and joy if it all goes well, or could well be a source of inspiration to move onto bigger things.

    I would suggest sketching out your initial design, compile a cutting list of desired sizes from your sketch, then decide what hand / power tools you require to make the display stand. If you stay with standard DAR (Dressed All Round) sizes of timber you won't require much in the way of machinery and can choose either hand or power tools to complete it. So its a sort of chicken and egg situation.

    Follow the KISS (Keep it simple student) principle for a first project if you have minimal wood working skills. Stick with straight cuts, tapers etc to reduce the complexity of design, marking out and execution and practice on waste before commiting to attacking the project cut list.

    Using DAR pine from a hardware chain does have some advantages in that the product is consistent in moisture content , sizing etc straight off the retail shelf and requires minimal investment in machinery & tools. Where as purchasing rough sawn timber or slabs from a small part time miller will require a lot more time in preparation, drying, processing and machinery or at least access to machinery. Other millers like JohnG do have the capacity to supply a range of quality rainforest and other cabinet grade timbers already kiln dried ready to go either in off the saw standard sizes ready for dressing or can process to standard or even custom DAR sizes on request.

    Pretty much the world is your oyster as far as options, budget permitting, plus you have some of the best cabinet timbers in the world on your doorstep once you have made the connections.

    Most on here would suggest joining a woodworking club such as Innisfail or Cairns as both have an excellent range of tools and machinery that you can gain access to for a very moderate membership fee however the greatest advantage will be expediting your learning curve and avoiding many of the newbie mistakes by having access to mentors.
    Mobyturns

    In An Instant Your Life CanChange Forever

  10. #9
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mobyturns View Post
    Its more a case of what tools and machinery do you have access to now, or what will your budget permit you to acquire for the project. Your first project will always be horrendeously expensive when you factor in purchasing basic tools, workshop consumables (sandpaper etc) then finishes. It will also be your pride and joy if it all goes well, or could well be a source of inspiration to move onto bigger things.

    I would suggest sketching out your initial design, compile a cutting list of desired sizes from your sketch, then decide what hand / power tools you require to make the display stand. If you stay with standard DAR (Dressed All Round) sizes of timber you won't require much in the way of machinery and can choose either hand or power tools to complete it. So its a sort of chicken and egg situation.

    Follow the KISS (Keep it simple student) principle for a first project if you have minimal wood working skills. Stick with straight cuts, tapers etc to reduce the complexity of design, marking out and execution and practice on waste before commiting to attacking the project cut list.

    Using DAR pine from a hardware chain does have some advantages in that the product is consistent in moisture content , sizing etc straight off the retail shelf and requires minimal investment in machinery & tools. Where as purchasing rough sawn timber or slabs from a small part time miller will require a lot more time in preparation, drying, processing and machinery or at least access to machinery. Other millers like JohnG do have the capacity to supply a range of quality rainforest and other cabinet grade timbers already kiln dried ready to go either in off the saw standard sizes ready for dressing or can process to standard or even custom DAR sizes on request.

    Pretty much the world is your oyster as far as options, budget permitting, plus you have some of the best cabinet timbers in the world on your doorstep once you have made the connections.

    Most on here would suggest joining a woodworking club such as Innisfail or Cairns as both have an excellent range of tools and machinery that you can gain access to for a very moderate membership fee however the greatest advantage will be expediting your learning curve and avoiding many of the newbie mistakes by having access to mentors.
    This is one of the better bits of advice I've ever read on there forums. Kudos to you Moby. (And thank you for the plug, too)

    Armed with two hammers (club and claw), three saws ( rip, crosscut and dovetail), a set of chisels, brace and some bits, hand plane, tape measure, bubblestick, waterlevel, clamps and a plumb bob I can build a whole house. Add another ten tools to that list and the house could float.
    Basic Woodworking tools are different choices... but the reality is most of us are overequipt to hell and back with equipment for our hobby that we've had to work ridiculously hard for. There's an irony in there somewhere when you think about how long and hard you've worked to afford "labor saving devices", and it's not just confined to woodworking tools.

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