Just starting out

**JustinH** · 5th January 2018, 11:35 PM

Hi,
I'm Justin, from Perth WA. I haven't really done much woodwork before, missed out in high school and my Dad is a fitter and turner/machinist, so everything I've ever done has been with metal, I'd say I'm fairly proficient when it comes to metal work and either have, or have access to, the tools required for most jobs using metal. When it comes to wood though, I've got very few tools aside from those that overlap with metal work. I do have a mitre saw and random orbital sander as well as access to a circular saw, compound sliding mitre saw and router.

I have built railway sleeper retaining walls and garden beds around the house as well as a 35sqm deck which I'm quite proud of, but neither of those requires any particularly involved work(or at least not the way I did them

). I recently made some shelves for the toilet at my wife's request and she is now starting a list of things for me to make. As mentioned I really have had no woodworking skills passed on to me so it's all new, as are all the different tools.

I'm planning to build some grapevine trellises over the coming week and I plan to build a solid workbench in the weeks following that but I'd like to find some smaller projects to practice some basic woodworking skills. I'm planning to do a laminated bench top for the workbench so I thought making an end grain chopping board might be a good smaller project.

This weekend I am planning to go for a trip to Carbatec for a chat and perhaps pick up a few tools to start my woodworking kit off. I'd like to eventually build a desk and bookcases and my wife has started collecting pictures of dining tables, but that may quite a way down the track I think.

I've already read quite a lot from this forum so I thought I would join up and say hi as I'm sure I'm going to have some questions of my own soon. I'm going to read some more sites with info for beginners so I'm happy to receive any advice, suggestions or a point in the direction of such.

Cheers,
Justin

**Treecycle** · 6th January 2018, 05:15 PM

Welcome to the forum Justin. I am also a Fitter & Turner like your father and have found that having woodwork as a hobby is a great way of extending your hand/machining skills. If you have gained experience in the metal working field it will be a good grounding for woodwork as it mostly comes down to skills using your hands with care and precision. All my knowledge has been self taught and from networking with others with a similar passion and it was a great change from the daily grind of work when I was working in that field.
Make sure you ask questions here before purchasing tools as you don't want to regret buying something just because a salesman thought it was the best tool for you. Keep your eye out for good quality secondhand tools too as they can be the best value for a small outlay.
Enjoy the fun.

**SHEETMETAL** · 7th January 2018, 08:12 AM

Welcome Justin,
I am also a metal worker turned wood worker. Can I suggest that you start scrounging for second hand tools at the weekend markets, that is where I got a lot of my tools from.
Gerard

**old1955** · 7th January 2018, 02:52 PM

Welcome to the forum Justin.

**Christos** · 7th January 2018, 03:14 PM

Welcome to the forum. Asking questions and taking note of the answer(s) is one of the best ways of learning. It has to be said that even answers can be very diverse.

In regards to your end grain chopping board you might need to sand the end grain once it is glued up. This might take a fair amount of time depending on what you use to sand.

**derekcohen** · 7th January 2018, 07:48 PM

Hi Justin

There are a bunch of Perthites on this forum. Are you north or south of the River?

If you are interested, join the Fine Wood Association. We have meetings each second Monday of the month. The club members are a varied bunch, both hand and power toolers.

You are welcome to visit me at my home workshop (I'm in Rossmoyne) to discuss power and hand tools (I can demonstrate most of the latter).

Regards from Perth

Derek

**JustinH** · 9th January 2018, 10:59 PM

Thank you for the responses,
I went in to Carbatec today with the intention of getting their hand tool starter set and possibly some other tools but I talked to one of the guys there and he said he didn't do woodworking and neither do any of the other guys that were on, one guy that did do woodworking was on holidays. I mainly went there thinking a specialty woodworking shop would be able to give good advice.

I did end up getting a set of chisels from Bunnings, Carbatec had the same ones in a smaller set but none in stock, so I figured they must be reasonably good and they were on sale.

I have been keeping an eye out for second hand stuff, but perhaps a few visits to markets would be a good idea. If I go to markets I'd like to have an idea of what I should look out for, at the moment I'm thinking I will probably need:
One or two hand planes
Probably a mallet for the chisels?
A Tennon saw
Things to sharpen chisels and planes

That's basically what I have at the moment.
I know the solution is to just start making things and get the tools that I need as I go along, however, my birthday is in a few weeks and my family is hoping to take advantage of my new interest and buy me some tools so I'm hoping to at least work out a couple of things I'll definitely need.

I'm considering doing the two part beginner woodworking course at Perth Wood School, is that worthwhile or am I better off saving money for tools and reading more?

I did buy The Essential Woodworker from Carbatec actually, someone recommended it on this forum and it looks quite good and handy to have in the workshop, also I'm a sucker for a nice hardcover book.
I've also been watching some of Paul Sellers videos and reading his blog posts, I really enjoy his stuff and am considering following his videos for building my workbench or at least using them as inspiration and guidance.

Thank you for the invitation Derek, I'm more east than anything, although technically on the south of the river in South Guildford.

**JJF** · 10th January 2018, 06:43 AM

Welcome to the forum

**crowie** · 15th January 2018, 07:58 AM

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Justin".
There are quite a few members in and around Perth and across West Aust.....
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork ..
Cheers crowie

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