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18th July 2012, 06:20 PM #1New Member
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Suggestions for a newbie - DONT GIVE ME THAT LOOK!!
Hi all,
So Im a bit green when it comes to woodworking, Ive completed a few small projects and I must say that working with wood is one of favourite passtimes. Its a good feeling putting that last coat of varnish or paint on something you can be really proud of.
I have recently purchased my first home and being a young fella, cant really afford alot of brand new furniture, so im settling on second hand.
But looking at all of these tired cupboards and shelves I would really love to apply a bit of "personallity'' to them.
Putting together a simple bookcase or entertainment unit APPEARS to be pretty straight forward and I feel confident I could handle it... (he says now)
Im going for a bit of a country type theme for the furniture, I've found some photos and ideas and Ive settled on and a nice soft pine to work with, now its just a matter of putting some drawings together for some low line bookshelves, entertainment unit, as well as some modifications to a nice little buffet and hutch a picked up from a second hand store, and a tired old bed head/frame.
Im not too confident on what type of joints I should be using and where so Im thinking a good reference book or two wouldnt go astray, and how to work out weight support for shelving and doors etc.. I have quite a few power and hand tools at my disposal (saws, drill, chisels, planes, etc) I dont have any specialised tools like biscuit joiners and lathes but I am looking at a nice new Router.
Any suggestions on what to do next, what to buy, or what to read, would be much appreciated
(And yes, I know you have all probably heard this before from the DIY'ers and weekend warriors, but I would like to think im more of an untrained amateur and I hope to post some progress photos if anyones interested)
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18th July 2012 06:20 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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18th July 2012, 06:23 PM #2
Start off by checking out what sizes the timber you want to use comes in, and make plans to use available sizes, unless you have access to machines to machine timber down to custom sizes - table saw/thicknesser/jointer etc.....
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18th July 2012, 06:31 PM #3New Member
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Thanks
Dont have access to any of those unfortunatley.. Prob a silly question but is there any standardisation in timber sizes or does it vary shop to shop.. For instance should I head to the timber yard and size up what they have or can I work off some standard sizes?
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18th July 2012, 07:15 PM #4
For boards 12 and 19mm thicknesses are standards - widths vary - common ones 42,65,90,140 - best to check with your supplier....
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19th July 2012, 05:58 PM #5
20 years ago I found that standard thickness was not standard when I joined two boards together. I have learnt a lot since. No, I did not have then or now access to a jointer or thickener.
Be prepared to make mistakes - you will learn from them. Before doing a production join do it on some off cuts. Double check measurements and settings, if you are like me, you will probably still make an error
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19th July 2012, 07:50 PM #6
have you looked at Groggys woodworking start up links. Lots of good information there.
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19th July 2012, 09:24 PM #7Member
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- Jun 2012
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- Menai
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If you can wait another 2 weeks, why not go the the Sydney Timber & Working with wood show at Homebush. They usually have a few furniture makers as well as TAFE exhibits that may give you some ideas.
You could also be swayed in purchasing lovely large timber stock for your furniture projects.
Well worth the trip, not far for us Shire residents
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20th July 2012, 11:28 PM #8New Member
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Thanks for all the help guys!
Still working my way through groggys woodworking startup links, very handy tips tucked away in there.
I took engineering studies at school and I think it's time to brush the old T square off and start putting together some drawings. Still not 100% on what type of joints I should be using and where but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it guess..
Lots of inspiration, but the challenge is to get it all set out without going over the top.
And JasonBF, sounds good, ill be there! Although I'm a bit worried I'm getting too much inspiration, if that makes any sense haha
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21st July 2012, 08:51 PM #9
Make your drawings with allowance for variation in "standard" sizes; aka "fault-tolerant" design. With hardware in particular, do the final design with parts in hand; don't rely on catalog data.
Cheers,
JoeOf course truth is stranger than fiction.
Fiction has to make sense. - Mark Twain
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22nd July 2012, 12:35 AM #10
I'm in a similar situation to yourself, as I have also just started on my woodworking journey.
I have made the odd bit of furniture and as I'm a completely useless tech drawer, I found google sketch up very handy. It allow me to put my ideas on paper, so to speek, and get a feel for the project. You can also play around with different disigns.
I got a price list from the suppliers with the different stock sizes to get an idea of what is out there and the price, often you can get them from there websites.
Tools wise dont forget about secondhand, markets, this forum, eBay,.....all the usual places. And libraries are an awesome place to find reference/reading material.
Good luck and let us know how you are getting on.
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24th July 2012, 05:25 PM #11New Member
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- Oct 2011
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Joins
In terms of quick, easy and accurate joins, im currently looking at a KREG Master System for pocket hole joints...
Seems if your timber is all cut square, everything joins together really strong and accurate with minimal fuss...
Looks like it could be a little pricey, but the saved time will more than make up for it..
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24th July 2012, 06:04 PM #12New Member
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Ok so Ive chosen to do the table first. From an amateurs point of view it looks pretty straight forward..
The drawing attached (hopefully it worked!) is where im at so far. Ive based it on 19mm x 140mm pine which im going to paint white. Im planing on doing a stopped chamfer around the legs about 140mm from the bottom and 140mm from the top. I want to add a little drawer on one end for.. table stuff... and im aiming at about a 40mm overhang of the table top to the base.
Havent decided how to do the table top yet, I would love to have a parquetry look but I know that will be really difficult, so im thinking just edge joined boards with a border of some sort around to 'frame' it, about 40mm or so thick.
Im undecided if I should attach the drawer frame to the table top or not..
I dont know how I should be joining the legs to the skirting (maybe just dowel and glue??) Not sure how to attach the table top to the base and I have no idea how to make the top..
I know the drawing is a bit shonky, but do you think it could work, weight and strength wise?
Big thanks to everyone who has taken the time to comment here, much appreciated
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