Newbie

[lamalu]

Hi! I'm new to this forum and woodworking, just acquired a used Shopsmith and just completed a basic woodworking course at the local technical high school. I took the woodworking course because I was sick of asking friends to cut boards and fix things for me - I didn't think I wanted to make furniture or anything - maybe a birdhouse but I got the bug.
I'm looking forward to learning how to use the Shopsmith.
I'm glad to have this opportunity to learn from all of you as well.
Thanks!
PS - I'm left-handed and that has contributed to my reluctance to use power tools - any lefthanders out there with tips and tricks for coping with a right-handed world?

[ryanbp01]

You'll love the Shopsmith then! You can set it up in the way you are most comfortable. Enjoy your machine. You should also take the time and get familiar with the website. Find out when your machine was made and check out upgrades, if any you are able to take advantage of. You'll also learn a lot in this forum. I know I have. Also don't be afraid to ask questions. There is no such thing as a "dumb" question.
Have fun,

BPR

[drewa]

Hello,

I am Drew@Shopsmith. One thing you may not have thought of when you bought your Shopsmith is the fence can extend out from the blade to the left and right. In essence making it the only right or LEFT handed table saw!

But on a serious note. Nick Engler and I run the academy here at Shopsmith and do a twice-a-month web live cast with Q&A addressing woodworking solutions and Shopsmith maintenance. There are podcasts and on-demand videos of past shows at Shopsmith Academy.

Please check us out there and do some good work.

Be good,

Drew

[drewa]

Yeah!

"No dumb questions, Just a lot of inquisitive idiots"

Just joking....

[fjimp]

Hey Southpaw welcome to the Shopsmith Club. I am left handed and have no problem doing anything I desire with the shopsmith. Drew's suggestion is a great one the Academy has a great deal to offer. I would offer the suggestion that you read every post to this forum. They may not apply today but next week or next month they will.

Most important learn the use of and religously use bush blocks and feather boards. Fingers are next to impossible to replace.

Every time I complete a project people who know me say you did that? No kidding you really made that?

Enjoy the best habit on earth. Jim:)

[Bruce]

Most important learn the use of and religously use bush blocks and feather boards.

Of course Jim meant to write PUSH BLOCKS, but since you're a newbie I wanted to make that clear.

[charlese]

Hi lamalu! Welcome to ths forum! One thing about being left handed - we are in our right minds!:D At least most of the time.

[a1gutterman]

Just a little joke that my dad (he also is a south paw) likes to tell:
We are all born left handed and remain that way until we commit our first sin.

[berry]

I'm a righty but I just 'googled' left handed tools and got lots of hits so don't let being left handed prevent you from exploring the wonderful world of woodworking.

[lamalu]

Berry: I haven't found left-handed tools to be readily available. The most problematic has been the circular saw - I can honestly say that I've owned mine for 20 years and have only recently used it with confidence. All the safety guards are keyed for holding the saw in the right hand, when I pick it up in my left and try to view my cut line I'm looking right into the naked saw blade. I'm looking forward to trying the Shopsmith with the fence on the left side - in the woodworking class I took the instructor was constantly trying to keep me from using my left hand to guide wood through the table saw, all set up with the fence on the right. Funny, he never suggested setting the saw up differently - just expected me to adapt. I also found that with the fence on the right and pushing the piece with my right I tended to move it away from the fence - resulting in a wavy dado. I managed to cover it up by making a drawer for my cabinet!
Thanks to you all - I'm feeling very good about this whole endeavor.