First woodworking projects

[jdramsey]

I had three years of woodshop in high school. Not because I wanted to go that direction with my career. I just enjoyed it and making presents for my family. Up until a few years ago, I didn't have anything that I made in school. In the last few years, my relatives have been giving back to me some of the things I made. I found it interesting to look at my skill level (or lack thereof!) in the things that I made.

In hindsight, what does somebody do to develop those skills? I'd say start with small projects, just to develop those skills. First of all, you're probably gonna make a lot of silly mistakes. Might as well do it on something that you really don't care about or need. I've got a salt & pepper shaker set in a stand (lathe & bandsaw/ jigsaw work), a small planter box (hand saws, glue up practice, staining and finishing techniques), and a decorative cannon (I think it was meant for a bookend, lathe, band saw, drill press, router).

Second to consider is expense. I make all of those things with sugar pine. Back in high school, I think it was a nickle a board foot or something like that. I made a few nicer things out of maple and black walnut but those were a tad more expensive. If I make those same silly sophmore mistakes on something larger and more expensive, like a work bench, I might become discouraged and quit before I get started. A few successful small projects would make great confidence builders.

Just my two cents worth!

[charlese]

My very first woodworking projects were model airplanes, both carved solid and balsa stick with paper skin. The latter ones actually flew.
Then, in High School, got introduced to the kind of wood working we usually think of. The first thing was to learn how to sharpen a plane blade and with a bench plane and a try square - to square a block of wood. It didn't matter the size of the wood, the instructor only wanted us to follow the taught procedure and have the piece come out with perfectly squared faces and edges.

My first project was a wall hanging telephone stand with a shelf to hold a phone book.

I think a first woodworking project should be simple enough to not cause frustration. Squared wood and simple joints like butt joints or rabbets.

Lowe's store has complete plans for simple, but good looking projects, like shelves and tables.

I also want to emphasize the very good instruction available in the "Self Study Course" from Shopsmith. If one can master these lessons, he/she is on the way to make anything from wood.

In the final analysis it doesn't matter much what the first project is - if it is too tough for the woodworker, it won't get done without much consternation and may not come out good. Simple is better to start with.

I remember when I got my Shopsmith I practiced some joints from the self study course. The most frustrating was the half lapped miter joint. I had to work through several pieces of wood before getting a joint that would close nicely! It was above my skill level. Practice and patience finally got it done, but I've never done one since.

[elproducto]

Hi everyone, First post here.

The first project I did when I got my MK V and all those books was to make the workbench. That worked out OK so next was the tool cabinet. Both of these plans were included in the box that came with the SS. That was 12-3-85 my how time flies.

My last project with the SS was to make a UHMW skin for my ATV aluminum skid plate. All I needed from the SS was the band saw and the combination blade. It turned out well.

Here you can see part of the old bench and the tool cabinet and the first piece of furniture I made. Old oak wood pallets that I made into a stereo cabinet. That was in 85 and they all still work.

[kalynzoo]

You sound like me! In Jr.High woodshop I made a shoeshine kit. I inherited it back a few years ago, and keep it visible in the shop/garage where it reminds me of simpler woodworking times. Another try at woodworking in 10th grade, then off to my professional goals...eventually as a pharmacist. It was not until one of my children needed a big bed that I returned to woodworking to make a fire-engine bed...with the help of a very close friend, Grandpa Penn, who was a master craftsman. The bug sort of bit me, and I returned to the hobby.
My self criticism was overwhelming, and I was constantly praised by friends for artistic work that I found less than acceptable. But in my vacation travels, seeing work listed as art that shows similar flaws, I realize perfection is not really in the realm of human experience. We strive to do our best, and hope it is fantastic to others, and good enough to ourselves.
As for wood costs...OMG. I find that I now purchases items from garage sales not because I need a headboard, but it is made of solid wood and I can cut it into nice 1" thick boards. Same for old desks and dressers. Dumpster diving at a local cabinet shop was a great place to find thin lumber, but in Los Angeles they must now have locks. When I see a pile, I will still ask if I can have a box of scrapes.
Now I am learning the skill of lathe work. Turned a few spindley things. Made big pieces of wood into little pieces of sawdust. Had some fun. And now I will try my hand at pen turning. I bet I will not be satisfied, and I equally bet my friends and family will love the new gifts.
Best to you, and enjoy. A happy retirement is based on a well developed hobby.
An

[cv3]

My first wood working project was in my grandfather’s shop. I made a rod holder for my fishing pole. WOW, that was in the 1st half of the last century. It would be an antique if I still had it.

[kameljoe21]

my first woodworking project was in my grandfather shop my dad and i made a bunch of toy trucks and other things i think i what about 12
then my first major wood working was making a redwood shaker end table with 8 little drawers 2 on each side, table top was about 30" by 30 " and sat about 3 feet off the ground all done with dove tail even though the plans was not called for it and the legs were tapped to 1" on the bottom from 3" with dove tail... that was my first quarter of my sophmore yr, then the rest of that year i turned if i remember right about 12 or so centers for tables for every one in class ( every one else was either scared or just plain lazy to learn how to turn
then my junior year i did a large 4 post table with 2 leafs( were 2 foot wide)in it, about 4 wide and about 8 long ... done with a light and dark cherry wood with the wood sitting at an angle with each peice done in around 2 to 3 inches wide and less than a foot long of mostly scrap that was there, so after glueing it all ( it took a long time ) in to a little larger than what was going to be the finish project i cut them in to 4 section cause the planer was one that would take up to 2 feet
after i was done and it all put together my shop teacher ask me how i was going to get it home ( this being the last day of school )
a friend and i walked it out to the citi bus thinking that i could squeeze it throuh the handicap loading ramp ( i would have worked too ) some guy came up to me and said that a really nice table and ask were i got it and how i was getting it home ( duh i made it ) and offered me 750 dollars for it
bloody hell i sold it and not more than a week later i went to some party with some friends to some rich peoples house and saw my table there and asked them where they got it and how much they paid for it, they paid 2500 for it... that what sucks i wish i still had it it was a nice table and i could have sold it for more now
thats all the wood working i did besides help in my uncle shop for those 2 yrs and havent done any thing else since now

[osx-addict]

Stupid question.. Anyone have any ideas on whether the current Self Study SS Course is any different than the one I have from 1983 that came with the SS I've got now? I believe its complete but wonder about safety updates..?

[a1gutterman]

Stupid question.. Anyone have any ideas on whether the current Self Study SS Course is any different than the one I have from 1983 that came with the SS I've got now? I believe its complete but wonder about safety updates..?

Hi Rick,

I do knot know what "today's" looks like, but mine, that came with my 1995 510, is "505717 Rev. 10/87". As far as the safety concerns, the introduction page includes a warning to "Read and understand the Shopsmith Mark V Owners Manual, particularly the Safety Section, before attempting procedures based on the Self Study Course"... A quick look through the course did knot reveal any additional references to safety.

I hope that helped, but I am wondering what the "stupid question" is?