Thread: If you knew then what you know now

"Don't buy a new Stanley plane"

I forked out $120 for a new #5 that is a POS. I could've got a much better old plane off ebay for a fraction of the price.

I could spend hours and hours tuning the #5 to make it almost acceptable, but quite frankly, life is too short.

Originally Posted by craigb

"Don't buy a new Stanley plane"

I forked out $120 for a new #5 that is a POS. I could've got a much better old plane off ebay for a fraction of the price.

I could spend hours and hours tuning the #5 to make it almost acceptable, but quite frankly, life is too short.

I might have to go to the Dark side so as to actually get further than the wood shed/sorry, leanto, and workbench I have built thus far.

There are not enough Daylight hours in the Day, and I can't run power tools in the evening and wake Little Miss. It will be downhill from now.

Four things I wish I had known years ago:

1. In woodworking, as in life, a good finish can cover a lot of mistakes.

2. Get Neil's book, be patient, try different finishing techniques before you do the real job, and don't rush the finish.

3. Use the tools you have to make what you want. In other words, don't hold off on making something because you don't have just the right tool.

4. See # 1.

Most of my earlier pieces were reasonable workmanship with a bodgy finish (not you, Bodgy, real bodgy), so they end up in the university student housing (son's room) or covered with a cloth.

Oh, and have fun. If it's no fun, why do it?

Tex

When building on commission, the customer is always right but when building for yourself ignore the critics in the gallery. If you've asked for advice, fine, but when some yobbo walks up and announces "Wodja do that for? I would've..."

It's the difference between something you can be truly proud of and just another compromise...

Originally Posted by Tex B

Four things I wish I had known years ago:

1. In woodworking, as in life, a good finish can cover a lot of mistakes.

2. Get Neil's book, be patient, try different finishing techniques before you do the real job, and don't rush the finish.

3. Use the tools you have to make what you want. In other words, don't hold off on making something because you don't have just the right tool.

4. See # 1.

Most of my earlier pieces were reasonable workmanship with a bodgy finish (not you, Bodgy, real bodgy), so they end up in the university student housing (son's room) or covered with a cloth.

Oh, and have fun. If it's no fun, why do it?

Tex

Thanks. The advent of Daylight saving, a router, and a few other tools, and a bit of organisation should see myself well into this by New Year.

I was going to go out and get a load of Tassie Oak, but might practise on MDF first -of course they behave differently so I'll have to use a hardwood sometime.

The absence of power to the workshop is not a restriction to building good pieces.

Recognise that some tools are better suited to certain materials, and vice versa. For example, sheet goods (ply and MDF) are best with power tools. If you use handtools, then you will want to work with solid wood.

Let's say that you want to use handtools (as you suggested). Some handtools will suit certain materials better. Such as softwoods for Stanley planes. Also softwoods are fairly easy to surface and thickness by hand. Having said this, until I purchased a thicknesser very recently, I have prepared all my recycled hardwoods by hand (using scrub plane and jack planes).

If I were starting out with handtools, I would only work pine or other softwoods.

Regards from Perth

Derek

"Don't buy a new Stanley plane"

I forked out $120 for a new #5 that was a POS. I could've got a much better old plane off ebay for a fraction of the price.

I spent hours and hours tuning the #5 to make it acceptable, but quite frankly, it was a waste of my time. :mad:


With thanks to Craig.

Don't buy the "gizmos" - especially those that are claimed that can solve all woodworking errors, ills, mistakes and solve world hunger.

Go for basic, but good quality tools, and figure out as you progress, what you really need (ok, "want" is a kind of need, too )

Maybe look at doing a basic woodwork course.
Learn to sharpen.
Buy good marking out tools - square square, sliding bevel, steel rules, knife, cutting gauge
Try a japanese handsaw
Mark out correctly then respect the line.
Buying good old tools like planes and tuning them up is rewarding and cheap.
There are plenty of better hardwoods than tassie oak. Maybe start with Hoop pine its nice to work. Avoid radiata pine, its a pain to chisel.
Have fun!

Cheers
Michael

Originally Posted by havenoideaatall

I was going to go out and get a load of Tassie Oak, but might practise on MDF first -of course they behave differently so I'll have to use a hardwood sometime.

Skip the MDF. As Derek suggested, go with some inexpensive softer wood (radiata pine comes to mind) and make something for the leanto/shed. Workbench, tool cabinet, chest on wheels, etc etc. Lots of good ideas and plans on line (check Groggy's list for plan locations). I built a hanging tool cabinet from pine and pegboard before building a nicer cabinet with similar joinery for inside. Same with workbench/kitchen island. Good way to improve your skills and get useful stuff for the shed.

And finish it properly, even if it just hangs in the shed. You won't regret it.

Tex

Wot mic-d sez!

Just start making what you want to make.
If it's too ambitious, you'll have to rise to the occasion.
If you keep at this hobby/obsession:
a) you will get better at it.
b) you will accumulate a few good tools (& some duds!).
c) as you improve, the last job you were happy with starts to look like a POS.
d) (a re-hash of c) you'll have a lot of pleasure from each job you complete, even if you find it pretty ordinary a few jobs later.....
e) you'll meet a lot of other nutters on this BB and in the flesh, who are actually saner than they would be without w'working, and quite decent blokes when it's all said and done

Go for it... ,

Originally Posted by IanW

Just start making what you want to make.
If it's too ambitious, you'll have to rise to the occasion.
If you keep at this hobby/obsession:
a) you will get better at it.
b) you will accumulate a few good tools (& some duds!).
c) as you improve, the last job you were happy with starts to look like a POS.
d) (a re-hash of c) you'll have a lot of pleasure from each job you complete, even if you find it pretty ordinary a few jobs later.....
e) you'll meet a lot of other nutters on this BB and in the flesh, who are actually saner than they would be without w'working, and quite decent blokes when it's all said and done

Go for it... ,

Wise words I reckon.

I've seen pics of your work Ian, and going by the above I reckon you must have been at it for ages.

I still remember your chiffonier. Very tasty.

Haveno,

As a relative newbie myself, I can still remember clearly some painful lessons that I shouldn't repeat if I were starting again:

#1 Cheap tools yield cheap results. No amount of technique in the world can stop a cheapo jig saw from wandering off-line.

#2 Good tools can still yield cheap results. You've got to practice the technique, and you'll have no excuse if you stuff it up.

#3 There are a hundred ways to make your project--pick the ones that feel best to you or that teach you a new skill.

#4 See number 3--you don't have to start out with a shed full of tools to make some nice stuff.

#5 Learning proper finishing is a bugger! (Someday, someday . . )

Cheers

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

When building on commission, the customer is always right but when building for yourself ignore the critics in the gallery. If you've asked for advice, fine, but when some yobbo walks up and announces "Wodja do that for? I would've..."

It's the difference between something you can be truly proud of and just another compromise...

Oh so true.

1. The most important thing you can learn is how to sharpen and tune your tools.
2. Look at other peoples' ideas for inspiration, but design your own things for satisfaction.