How to Get Started ... Advice for Newbie

[Switch]

Hello All:

We live in the Greater Cincinnati/Southwest Ohio area.

My wife is a major DIY home improvement kind of gal, who has been accumulating power tools for the last 5-10 years (including, most recently, a jigsaw), and she has often expressed an interest in learning more about work working. I would like to get her "set up" and get her some training/classes as a Christmas gift. My searching led me here.

There is store not far from our house called Woodcraft of Cincinnati, which offers some classes. Has anyone taking classes there? Looking at the list of classes (http://www.woodcraft.com/stores/330/woo ... asses.aspx), any recommendations on which class(es) I should purchase? Is there a list of "must have" starter tools that I can get her? My budget is $500 (+/-)

To date, she has made probably a dozen different personalized wood signs, she is now into stained wood paneling, and I think would be interested in doing more household items, furniture, etc.

Open to any recommendations. Thanks in advance for your time and advice.

[Mike907]

Woodturning is almost addictive, how about the Turning 101 class?

Local chapters of the American Association of Woodturners often offer beginning classes.

http://www.woodturner.org/members/?id=23094121

Mike

[Bruce]

My sister took a beginning woodworking class at Woodcraft in St Louis and really enjoyed it. Your wife may want to take a more advanced class, though.

[ERLover]

Question is too broad, you have to judge for yourself what she needs, unless I get to live there for a few months, see her skills and tools at hands, and her interest. Free room and board, and a charge for my assessment and travel !!!

[Switch]

@Mike and @Bruce ... Thanks for the advice. I will look into it.

@ERLover ... You are right. I do not even know what I do not know at this point, and candidly, I am not the one interested in this hobby. And I cannot really ask her with tipping my hand, so to speak.

She loves making things with wood. She has a circular saw, compound miter, and jigsaw. She would enjoy getting deeper into this, learning more about it, and getting some training. I thought about a nice work bench, but not sure where to start there either.

[JPG]

How about a gift card to Woodcraft and let her chose!!!

[wa2crk]

Do you have a technical college in your area? Some of them have some form of continuing education for trades people or adult education classes. Probably would be a lot cheaper.
Bill V

[Ohgary]

Check the local Craig's list. I saw several viintage Shopsmith Mark V for a few hundred. That would give her a lathe, drill press and horizontal boring machine which might be useful for furniture making. (Since you are on the Shopsmith forum...)

[robinson46176]

Even though I am a tool / machinery nut I am still old school. I think that anyone should learn hand tool skills first then add machines to do the same job easier.
As time passes I find myself leaning back toward more hand tool use. Note that I will never give up my power tools though.

[ERLover]

The community college thing is a great idea if they offer classes. In Green Bay they do, the turning instructor is just great, seen turning demos at WC that he also does.