Thread: Back to first principles

Late last year I finally got most of my garage back - well signed over to me by SWMBO at least. A little later with some recycled shelving and a recycled work surface i thought i could finally let my creative spirit roar free. Hoo-rah.

I have gone back to the first principles of woodwork as my tool chest consists of; a 7"circ saw, a jigsaw, some chisels, a rasp, a cordless drill, a ruler and a couple of clamps.

So here I am, posting the first pieces of work I have done since high school wood shop.
I will also tell of the mistakes and the learning I have achieved on this three month journey of woody enlightenment.

First piece was a storage rack for some garden tools. The little so and so's kept tripping me up or falling on me at the most inopportune moments.
So off to bunnies for some pine and plywood. A screw or two, couple of dowels and rollicking good time later saw the outcome of this
IMAG0067.jpgIMAG0096.jpg

Obviously I chose function over form. It has also changed since this image with some wheels and a coating of linseed oil. (EDIT: added extra image)

On completion of this rather striking piece, I started practicing some joints with hardwood offcuts from the local joinery - (i will NOT embarrass myself with that evidence of the gross miscarriage of woodwork ).

The next tools became rather obvious at this time - a mallet and marking gauge. But without subsequent funding by the reserve bank of the household (RBH) I found myself in a position of 'making do' with what was lying around. Oh well - back to the off-cuts and a finish in linseed again.
IMAG0076.jpg
The hammer is surprisingly solid and treats the chisels a good solid whack. The gauge has since been finished - but no current image.

From this piece alone I learnt:

• my eyes cannot judge a straight line for squat.
• I need some more practice at long dovetails (the handle is dovetailed into the head using half lap joints for each piece of the head)
• thankfully, i am not a chiseller - but i do need a lot more practice using a chisel.
• my hand sawing needs more practice. (a lot more)

Back to practice.

Time passed.....

I kept practicing, Then, egad, I was given a commission by SWMBO. A bedside table for SWMBO jnr.
Plans were drawn up:
initial design.jpg, work was started ,IMAG0088.jpg painting begun, IMAG0089.jpg, on the fly changes applied, IMAG0092.jpg, until something resembling the original plan was finished.IMAG0093.jpg

This was duly re-located to the house where it was set upon by a rather enthusiastic SWMBO jnr.
IMAG0095.jpg

Lessons learnt:

• my circular saw does NOT cut 45degree angles.
• jigsaw blades have a mind of their own and are certain to choose their own path in life..... which then needs to be fixed.
• using a router for the first time can lead to bumps and grinds not anticipated. Oh - and don't hiccup when the router is cutting.
• filler is my friend (my very good friend)
• mdf makes a lot of dust
• I need a lot more practice.

And all last night, i kept getting these little bowling balls of little girl crashing into me with a hug. "I love my bedside table Daddy!"
Was it worth it - Hell yes!

The only down side was Nanny, who at the unveiling was heard murmuring something along the lines -"Hmm, i could use some furniture in the spare room....."

Oh well - back to the shed for some more practice..