Willunga Woodworker

**Yanis** · 19th December 2014, 10:22 AM

Hi all. John form Willunga, about 50k south of Adelaide.

I loved working with wood ever since I did it as a subject in high school. I did a little when I was first married, 35 years ago and a small amount in between. I built a very nice book shelf with my brother some time ago using veneered chipboard but not much else. I have been somewhat intimidated by the skills required to build fine furniture until recently.

Over time I had accumulated some tools and machinery, to whit a couple of table saws (my go to is the old 10" jet) a dust collector (1 hp Jet twin bag) a lathe, a Bosch compound sliding mitre saw, a drill press, a couple of bench grinders, and a nice collection of hand tools. Saws planes and chisels, some of which I inherited form my dad who practiced woodworking from about 1920 to when he retired in the 50s.

I recently started watching woodworking videos and listening to pod casts and it inspired me to take it up in earnest. One of the motivators personally was when my wife bought 4 pallet loads of nice second hand industrial steel shelving (Brownbuilt) which I put up in my shed. It enabled me to get all of the "stuff" in my shed organised and put away and allowed me to get to the benches. (Long (even longer) story.)

I started by using some old (very old) sheets of 1/2" ply to make some wooden boxes for the shed in which to store my stuff. I used them to practice some of my newly discovered techniques such as cutting wood square and to a dimension. Box (finger) joints. Dovetails (hand cut) and glue ups. I also got some practice with hand planes and most importantly honing and sharpening.

I started to buy some more tools to supplement my collection. One of my wife's uncles also gave me some very nice hand tools as well which he had lovingly maintained such as a rebate plane and a couple of Stanly planes, no. 4 and no. 5. A quick run across the sharpening stones and they came up as good as new.

I also built an outfeed table based on one Mark Spagnolo built and a new adjustable top for the table saw side table. I have in mind some further shed projects including converting a robust set of shelves (about 1m x 1.2m x 400mm) into a mobile tool chest by outfitting with drawers and castors. Also rebuilding one of the jarrah topped benches into a proper work bench but the latter is a ways of yet.

My first furniture projects will be a medicine/bathroom cabinet and some picture frames. I am still on a steep learning curve but every time I get into the shed and do your actual woodworking I feel my skill level increasing.

I am constantly inspired by looking at what other woodworkers, both professional and hobbyists are doing.

All I need now is to get back into the shed and cut some wood

.

**old1955** · 19th December 2014, 05:12 PM

Welcome to the forum John.

**crowie** · 19th December 2014, 05:55 PM

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Yanis"..... [nice introduction, sir].....
There are a lot of members in and around Adelaide and across Sth Aust.....
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork ..
Cheers crowie

**Tankstand** · 19th December 2014, 06:50 PM

Welcome John to the best forum around!
An excellent source of knowledge with the occasional bargain to be had.
Great to hear from another local, I visit Willunga every Saturday morning to kill four hours chasing after little white balls.

**TheNutter** · 19th December 2014, 08:33 PM

Hi John and welcome, glad to see another local around.

Regards

Ian

**Yanis** · 22nd December 2014, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Tankstand

Welcome John to the best forum around!
An excellent source of knowledge with the occasional bargain to be had.
Great to hear from another local, I visit Willunga every Saturday morning to kill four hours chasing after little white balls.

I live just up the hill form the sheep paddock where people regularly go to loose small white round dimpled objects.

John

**KBs PensNmore** · 22nd December 2014, 03:27 PM

Welcome John, are you one of the blokes that uses the sheep paddock, for a waste of a good walk.

Kryn

**DaveTTC** · 22nd December 2014, 03:40 PM

G'day John and welcome aboArd.

I rode my push bike up Willunga hill all bR the last 20 meters back in Dec 87. Just out of school and I was working on the crown at victor harbour.

Can't wait to see some of your work. We love pics.

I have a forum get together coming up if you feel like a 'short' drive.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f25/wwf-australia-day-weekend-2015-jerilderie-191049

Dave

The Turning Cowboy

**JJF** · 23rd December 2014, 07:50 AM

welcome aboard.

**Christos** · 23rd December 2014, 03:28 PM

Welcome to the forum.

The intro is not that long.

There are a mixture of people on this forum and we all started from the first step.

**Perfect Pens** · 27th December 2014, 10:10 PM

G'day John,

Welcome to the forums.
Cheers
Tony

**Yanis** · 30th December 2014, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Welcome John, are you one of the blokes that uses the sheep paddock, for a waste of a good walk.

Kryn

No, but my son does.

John

**Yanis** · 30th December 2014, 08:53 AM

Thanks for the welcome. I have started a blog (http://hancockshardwarehouse.blogspot.com.au/) to document my process from dodgy hack to (hopefully) fine woodworker. (I have 5 blogs ranging my interests but that is another story.) At this stage my ambition is far greater than my skill level. I suppose that is a good thing but I am pleased personally with my progress. Ever time I venture into the shed I learn something new.

My latest project was 2 mallets made from an (as yet) unidentified wood. We have about 50 of these trees and they drop branches regularly. The wood is dense and tough and quite resonous. It is not the best turning wood but with patience it comes out very nicely indeed and makes an ideal wood for a mallet.
IMG_1139.jpg

PS: The larger mallet broke away before I had a chance to finish it. The wood is quite brittle and I was turning down the handle end and it broke away prematurely so I did not get to finish it. I secured the mallet end into a chuck to finish the handle.

**DaveTTC** · 30th December 2014, 09:00 AM

And he is another wood turner too .... Did I mention I have about 15 lathes. Mind you they are not all set up atm as I am lacking space (I wonder why lol)

May have to go check out your blog

Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

**crowie** · 30th December 2014, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by Yanis

Thanks for the welcome. I have started a blog (http://hancockshardwarehouse.blogspot.com.au/) to document my process from dodgy hack to (hopefully) fine woodworker. (I have 5 blogs ranging my interests but that is another story.) At this stage my ambition is far greater than my skill level. I suppose that is a good thing but I am pleased personally with my progress. Ever time I venture into the shed I learn something new.

My latest project was 2 mallets made from an (as yet) unidentified wood. We have about 50 of these trees and they drop branches regularly. The wood is dense and tough and quite resonous. It is not the best turning wood but with patience it comes out very nicely indeed and makes an ideal wood for a mallet.
IMG_1139.jpg

But still worth there own thread John.... Show off your work in the wood turning section [with lots of photos]; it helps all seeing how people start and how things are done....Besides the mallets look good to me...cheers, crowie

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