Thread: Beginner's Project?

A book-shelf or a coffee table.

These projects are relatively small (not requiring a LOT of timber), and there are many plans available in your library or on the internet that cover just about every possible combination of construction techniques, and tools used.

Basic boxes are also a good project for developing skills. Because these items are looked at close up and also use differnt techniques, attention to detail is required. No real costly tools are required, and to start with no need for exotic timbers. good luck with what ever you choose.

Best bet is a hobby Wood Work course at a local TAFE, you get to learn heaps make a project and don't have to lay out for any tools. Everyone wins, it also means if you do decide to start you have seen some of the tools an machines and are less likely to make any mistakes by purchasing the wrong thing.

A book-shelf or a coffee table, I think we all made these early in our woodworking careers. They are big enough to be not too fiddly , and dont use up too much material. Give em a go , you wont be sorry.

Woodwork at TAFE is best idea, get to use tools, have someone on hand to show you how.

Donna

I think my first real project and one that still gets used today was the chopping board in the Triton project book.

why this project...

- I think this can pretty much be made with just the table saw
- The construction is reasonably interesting.
- Wood for the project is not excessive, grab a couple of boards of jarrah that are different tones.

In terms of tool cost (assuming you have nothing). A triton work bench (eg. used WC2000) and a reasonable quality circular saw. You can get an indication of 2nd hand prices by trawling through the for sale section in these forums.

The beauty of a project like this is that if you decide wood working isn't for you, you can sell the Triton gear very easily at little or no loss if you've picked it up 2nd hand. If you decide you enjoy woodworking the Triton will see you through many years as your skills develop. The project itself is actually usefull and something that SWMBO see's often and will most likely use.

Just had a thought, Tafe probably out for you considering your location. What sort of wood stuff are your interested in? Making toys? furniture? turnings? nick nacks? household items? boxes? Do you like pine, hardwoods? chipboard stuff?


Donna

dare I suggest it....a lathe and some pen turning

Hello,

Up to you, but this could do, too: http://www.grampasworkshop.net/tvremotehldr.html

It is especially a "lap-sized" project, you can assemble and handle it in one spot without much moving yourself. All reasonably good wood will do. Does not need much work space, no need to drill deep holes, does not require high-end tools but only decent tools. Makes you practice some measuring, straight cutting, right-angle drilling, gluing, detail finishing and coating, but are remaining still reasonably forgiving if some minor hits'n'misses occur. You can expand it, too, to make similar kind of items of different sizes for various tasks.

Various free plans for further considerations: http://www.freeww.com/index.html

To take a true woodworking mission, make every single item described in this free book called "How to make woodworking tools" by Charles Hayward: http://www.toolemera.com/Books%20&%2...ooksplans.html


Kippis,

sumu

When I first got into wood working was back in High School. I found that this was a lot of fun.

I have done much while at school but not much since leaving school. I got back to building small things that have taken my interest. The first thing that you must do is choose something and when you have decided on something put it down on paper.

From this is what you will see if you firstly want to build things from wood. Once your heart has the desire to build something then you are more likely to finish the task.

For me it takes a great deal of time to complete a project as time is not always at hand. I have been doing a project for several months now and it will take another 3 months before I am able to complete.

Thanks for that, I wish I was able to do TAFE that would have been my first choice. Unfortunately, the nearest TAFE is in Emerald 4-5 hours away.

I am mainly interested in making furniture at the moment, or toys for my daughter, but would try anyting. As to wood, I hate chipboard. I know it can be useful and cheaper but all the chipboard furniture I had when I was younger is broken and water logged.

I hope to give it a try soon but time and money unfortunately make it hard at the moment.

Thanks for all the advice

check if theres a community woodies shed in your area, they are popping up all over the place. They are a great place to get access to a whole range of tools & expertese.

Yep old chip board was like Weetbix but nowhere near as nutritious.

you could use ply in leiu of particleboard, but itis more expensive.

Toys for children - get a book from the library or a copy of Australian Toymaker magazine.

good luck and welcome to the real world.

Basically, you will need something to cut the timber, something to join the timber and something to finish the timber. The "something" can be one tool, or a number of tools.

But very basically:
A handsaw
A Drill, drill bits, drill driver and screws
Wood Glue
Sandpaper, a tack cloth and some finish. Spray Varnish or paint is an easy first timer finish. Oil, eg danish oil is another easy and effective first timer finish.

The handsaw and drill will come in handy elsewhere in the home too.

cheers
Wendy