Thread: First Attempt At Woodworking

Hi Clinton,

Thank you very much for the reference, I'll try to get the book asap. About the dovetails, I didn't know jigs existed when I started making them. SInce then, I have discovered this shop in Auburn called carbatec and saw what you can do with jigs that you can set the way you want. However, when I saw the price of these jigs (especially when my wife did), I know that i'll be hand making dovetails for a long time... lol... I may get good at it at the end.
Cheers
Steph

THank you again for your encouragements and advices. I have a little question for those of you who are in Sydney. Where can I find some nice wood for a resonable price? I live in North Rocks (next to Parramatta) so if you have an address more in the west that would be great.
I want to make a hallway table and thought rosewood would look nice but I cannot spend half my wage in purchasing the wood, I know someone who would agree on that.
Cheers

Originally Posted by zenwood

Sprog: that's the best explanation of stopped grooves for joinery I've seen. What book was that from (2nd pic especially)?

Incra Jig projects book

Congratulations on a great effort!

"...nice wood for a resonable price?" Not sure those words go together.

Looks nice. I too would like to get some advice about maranti, in particular what is the best way to finish it. I recently bought some red maranti from Bunnings, apparently also called Pacific Mahogany, and made a table top. I stained it with rosewood stain and then wax. It has a very stringy grain and may need a filler (??). Any advice please.

Thanx for your comment Mongolia,

I am afraid I am too new at woodworking to give you any kind of advice on the matter. The stain I used is not even available on the market, my father-in-law is a floor sander and gave me a bit of stain his company has the exclusivity of, it is blueish and really rendered nice on the Meranti. I guess that any dark colour put with a cloth and wiped straight away would look good as the stain would only fill the grain of the wood. Apart from that you need to ask some very skilled members of this forum to get better information.
Cheers
Stephane

For a timber supplier near you, try Trend Timbers at Windsor. A bit pricy, but very helpful and good quality. Congratulations on your first peice, even if I do echo some/most of the comments by my illustrious peers. Stick with it and enjoy.
Jacko

has it dawned on you yet although you have made a beautifull table, now that you have the "BUG youll prolly send alot more on tools than you would have originally on the desk at Coco's?:eek: but all is not negative with what you have shown us so far im sure you will end up with many beautifull works.

Originally Posted by 8ball

has it dawned on you yet although you have made a beautifull table, now that you have the "BUG youll prolly send alot more on tools than you would have originally on the desk at Coco's?:eek: but all is not negative with what you have shown us so far im sure you will end up with many beautifull works.

Hi 8ball,

Well, you're right I probably spent as much in tools but there are 2 positive effects to that: first I bought tools little by little so my little wifey didn't really notice the total cost...lol Second, I enjoyed myself so much making the desk, that I want to make some more. It gave me the virus and I can't wait to learn some more. I am considering going to evening classes in Tafe to learn the theory and practice I am lacking off.
I am starting to regret having spent so many years studying economics...lol... Anyway, when you can't do anything you teach...lol

Cheers
Steph