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  1. #1
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    Sep 2016
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    Default Words of wisdom and encouragement needed

    I have idea for projects, I take my time but nothing ever turns out right. I feel like I'm failing every time and feel like giving it in.

    Has anyone else been thru this phase and what did you do to over come it?

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  3. #2
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    Oct 2014
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    Caroline Springs, VIC
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    If it is perfect, then it is good enough.

    If it is good enough, then it is perfect. <<-- think this way, better for the long run.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
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    Hi Shaaler,
    All I can suggest is when you have an idea do a full size set out of the project and work through the design before you start the job. Not knowing what you are trying to achieve makes any specific advise difficult. Don't lose heart I am sure some detailed advise is available if you give more detail.
    Regards Rod.
    Rod Gilbert.

  5. #4
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    Sep 2016
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    Geraldton, Australia
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rod Gilbert View Post
    Hi Shaaler,
    All I can suggest is when you have an idea do a full size set out of the project and work through the design before you start the job. Not knowing what you are trying to achieve makes any specific advise difficult. Don't lose heart I am sure some detailed advise is available if you give more detail.
    Regards Rod.
    Hi rod
    It's just in general I think. I just feel I'm loosing heart. I love working with my hands and creating things. I'm just finding myself disheartened when things don't work out. I want to learn woodwork but I also find living in a semi rural town there not a lot of places for advice. I tried to get advice from the men shed but it really is a boys club lol

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Montmorency Victoria
    Posts
    554

    Default

    Hi Shaaler
    I take it that you are talking about the craft of woodwork .. and not life in general.

    My early projects were not at all 100% ... the one thing that sticks in my mind is to plan out every move ... knowing that the piece that you are to mill, cut, plane or glue is the way it should be before taking the action.

    I use masking tape to label every piece, mark the topside, inside, and use chalk marks on the pieces before I cut them.

    If I am attempting a new procedure then I will use test pieces first ... and master the technique. Trying a new tool, or a different method on a component that is planned to be in the final fit is expensive and doesn't give you the freedom to fail.

    Also know the level of your skills, keep advancing them.

    I had quite a lesson from a woodworker I bought some timber from a few years ago ... that was a simple rule ... make sure every thing is square ... if the carcass is not perfectly square then the draws, doors, shelves, etc will be so much more difficult to make and fit. To get squareness I need sharp and well calibrated tools, and time to do dry fits.

    I do not do a glueup until all the pieces have been dry fitted, and the glueing sequence written down.

    So many of my early projects, and even some now, needed to be recut or changed in design to fix errors. That's the beauty of woodworking.

    I spend a day a week sharpening and calibrating my tools, and always use a vernier for fine measurements

    Regards

    Rob

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Geraldton, Australia
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tahlee View Post
    Hi Shaaler
    I take it that you are talking about the craft of woodwork .. and not life in general.

    My early projects were not at all 100% ... the one thing that sticks in my mind is to plan out every move ... knowing that the piece that you are to mill, cut, plane or glue is the way it should be before taking the action.

    I use masking tape to label every piece, mark the topside, inside, and use chalk marks on the pieces before I cut them.

    If I am attempting a new procedure then I will use test pieces first ... and master the technique. Trying a new tool, or a different method on a component that is planned to be in the final fit is expensive and doesn't give you the freedom to fail.

    Also know the level of your skills, keep advancing them.

    I had quite a lesson from a woodworker I bought some timber from a few years ago ... that was a simple rule ... make sure every thing is square ... if the carcass is not perfectly square then the draws, doors, shelves, etc will be so much more difficult to make and fit. To get squareness I need sharp and well calibrated tools, and time to do dry fits.



    Regards

    Rob



    I do not do a glueup until all the pieces have been dry fitted, and the glueing sequence written down.

    So many of my early projects, and even some now, needed to be recut or changed in design to fix errors. That's the beauty of woodworking.

    I spend a day a week sharpening and calibrating my tools, and always use
    Thank you rob

    Your advice helps.

    I have very basic tool, I hope one day to get many better tools. I'm using mainly ozito tools and ryobi

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Brisbane
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    Default

    Persist. Learn to understand what you have done not quite right. Ask questions here. Learn more. Grow your skills. It all takes time.
    There ain't no devil, it's just god when he's drunk!!

    Tom Waits

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,810

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shaaler View Post
    Hi rod
    It's just in general I think. I just feel I'm loosing heart. I love working with my hands and creating things. I'm just finding myself disheartened when things don't work out. I want to learn woodwork but I also find living in a semi rural town there not a lot of places for advice. I tried to get advice from the men shed but it really is a boys club lol
    Hi Shaaler

    How long have you been woodworking? I've been at this a good few decades and, while I can now produce decent stuff, it took many years to achieve this level. Even now I stuff up on every piece - what I have become good at is repairing the mistakes.

    Everything I build begins as an idea. Mostly, my designs are original. You need to develop your sense for line. Look at as much furniture as you can, decide what style you like, and then study it.

    Get to know joinery. Anything that you build that you expect to last or just go together depends on good joinery. Watch videos and DVDs. They were my teacher as well.

    Be thorough in your plans. Make drawings - I do them life size of 3mm MDF sheets. Learn to select wood and understand grain direction.

    Don't be afraid of making mistakes - it is only wood, and you can redo it if you must.

    Above all, be bold.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  10. #9
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    Feb 2003
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    back in Alberta for a while
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    68
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    12,006

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shaaler View Post
    Thank you rob

    Your advice helps.

    I have very basic tool, I hope one day to get many better tools. I'm using mainly ozito tools and ryobi
    OK

    first, let's get away from the idea that better or more expensive tools will make your woodworking "better".

    The keys to woodworking success are:
    a plan or sketch -- but not necessarily a sketch-up drawing.
    a cutting list -- or what wood, in what sizes, you need to build your plan.
    a materials list -- or what screws, nails, hinges, drawer slides, etc you need to finish your project.
    marking out skill and knowledge -- success starts with being able to consistently (but not necessarily accurately) mark out the components and joints you will need.
    skill building -- you want to start simple and build from there.

    Now you haven't said what your latest less than imagined outcome was, but if you like we can use this thread to help build your skills.

    Could you post a picture of what you achieved and suggest where it is less than what you imagined it would be?

    alternatively, we can step you though some skill building exercises.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
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    27,756

    Default

    I'm not sure what you mean by "turns out right" so as Ian says
    Could you post a picture of what you achieved and suggest where it is less than what you imagined it would be?
    As Derek says "how long have you been at it"
    Some folks think they can learn fine woodworking in a couple of hours following a couple of youtube vids. The average time to become highly skilled at anything is supposedly 10,000 hours and this does not take into account any specialised background training and knowledge, and access to expert trainers that may be required. If you are an average DIYer and are only able to get a few hours a week doing this is will take a long time to get proficient. Only a very few people are naturals and some need so much more than 10,000 hours they never get there.

    I started wood working when I was about 5 , when I put a bit from a "brace and bit" though my upper thigh.
    About 60 years later, 9 out of 10 of the projects I get round to completion still don't meet all my initial expectations.
    Instead of comparing my end result with initial expectations, eventually I learned to accept I was never going to do be able to do this every time so had to get at least some jollies in other ways.
    Is it still functional, does it look reasonable to me, was it fun, did I learn something, does it have some reasonably unique design elements etc.

    Finally I like this from Derek
    Don't be afraid of making mistakes - it is only wood, and you can redo it if you must.
    Years ago we had a pair of matching jarrah bookcases made by a well regarded furniture maker in Fremantle. To make sure things were right we asked them to come around and measure up the spaces in which they had to fit. Problem was they forgot to take into account that the walls were not straight and one of the book cases would not fit in its slot. The cabinet maker who delivered the bookcases and saw the problem did not even blink. "No worries mate we'll make another one",

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
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    Default

    Hi shaller,
    I guess by now you have noticed from reading the replies that we all make mistakes and even after decades of woodwork still manage to make some. For me that makes woodworking interesting. The trick is to learn from the mistake. What did I do wrong then what is required to get it right next time. Woodwork is a never ending learning curve. You always learn a bit more every time you make something.
    When I pick a project I ask myself a few questions. Have I the skills and the tools to make this. If not then I may need a new tool so thats always a good excuse to increase the collection. If I think the skills are short then I see if I can learn a bit more by reading up from books, on line info or ask on here. The local library should have some woodworking books and also check the secondhand bookshops. I would start with books for woodwork basics as some youtube clips sometimes scare me. There is some good info there but you need to know the basics first to know what you are looking at. This forum is a goldmine of info so ask away.
    Regards
    John

  13. #12
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    Oct 2014
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    Caroline Springs, VIC
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post



    I started wood working when I was about 5 , when I put a bit from a "brace and bit" though my upper thigh.
    Unless you have a wooden peg leg, this is not woodworking Either surgeon or butcher, but it sounds more like butcher

  14. #13
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    Nov 2012
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    SE Melb
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    64
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    shaaler,
    I notice that you are in Geraldton. I found out that there is a woodworkers' association in Geraldton called Mid West Woodworkers' Association, ph: 9938 1016.
    I suggest you give them a call, go to one of their meetings, talk to some of them and may be you'll get some practical help and advice with your projects. Seeing how people do things is always a good way to learn.
    regards
    Paul

  15. #14
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    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
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    27,756

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    Quote Originally Posted by Kuffy View Post
    Unless you have a wooden peg leg, this is not woodworking Either surgeon or butcher, but it sounds more like butcher
    I had large green pine come between my legs and was trying to drill holes in it.

  16. #15
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    Sep 2013
    Location
    Jarrahdale WA
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    370

    Default

    I concur with all these comments. I rarely get everything right on every project..too short is a fav of mine, sometimes a few mm sometimes a lot more. And as many have noted, it's only wood and making another piece means you get to practice again...another fav of mine is making everything too damn tight. From tenons to clearance holes everything I do needs tiny reworking to get it to fit...
    I don't tend to use plans, I just rehearse in my head and get going...

    Keep on going, one day it'll all come together...and you'll be happy as...

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