Replies

1. 
   chairmake1 | May 01, 2003 01:27pm | #1

   Glad to hear of your recently aquired the saw-

   Just a thought, but there are several jigs and fixtures that you

   could make at this time - a cut off box, a tenoning jib-

   that would help you learn the ins and outs of your saw and it

   may help you settle on a project to build.

   Robert

2. 
   davamoore | May 01, 2003 04:01pm | #2

   Please don't take this wrong -- because I've been there myself -- but it sounds as if you're putting the cart before the horse.  That is, it's usually much more economical and satisfying to decide what types of projects you want to build, and then buy the tools accordingly.

   Where do your interests lie?  Carving?  Cabinetmaking?  Chairs? 

   David (with a shop full of dusty tools)

   "The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad

3. 
   forestgirl | May 01, 2003 06:08pm | #3

   Bert's idea to build some jigs/fixtures is a good one.  It's a great way to get used to a tool, and practice making exact angles, firm joinery and glue-ups.  As far as projects go, since you're a homowner and a team member, maybe get some ideas from the wife as to what your house needs.  A bench in the entry hall?  Recycling bins?  Something for the laundry room (that's a safe place to hide not-so-perfect projects, LOL!), a little bathroom cupboard.  Don't forget storage projects for the shop or garage.  This is a great time to build planters or outdoor benches.

   Find a source for magazines, and take a look at the projects therein.  Go to the library and browse the woodworking section.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   RoyinMD | May 01, 2003 08:14pm | #4

   Powerslave,

   Welcome to the forum, your gonna have Fun.

   I agree, all great suggestions so far, well except the "ask the wife" idea, she may suggest a 7'x7' hutch :o).

   You've heard the saying "KISS" 'keep it simple stupid', no offense intended (constant work joke) but I'm not kidding. I would stay away from any projects that require a large glue up i.e. large table tops and large cases should wait. Build small projects so you can test your skills and see results quickly.

   Look around the house, find something that needs framed or reframed (I hate metal frames, trashed at least half a dozen). Smaller frames are much easier than large frames. The miters are the easy part, getting the wood accurate is the hard part.

   I built my oak coat rack for the hallway in about 3 hours (to the first coat of stain). Back, shelf and store bought pegs...finished!

   Wall shelf for music CD's, collectables, coffee mugs or spice racks are a nice way to practice rabbits and dados.

   A closet 'build in' is good veneer plywood practice.

   And never ever ever stop buying accessories: Blades, clamps, you know, our WW catalogs cover to cover.

   Enjoy, Roy

2. 
   JohnCabot | May 02, 2003 05:36am | #9

   Jamie, I notice that you use the letters or abbreviation "LOL" often. Do you mind to let me know what those letters stand for?

   My wife remembers they used it in college for "lots of love" . I am not so sure.

   Thanks John Cabot

1. 
   DavidInWindsor | May 02, 2003 07:05am | #10

   Thanks everyone for your responses. Anyone have a good link to shop jigs? I found one at one point, but silly me forgot to bookmark it.

   John, LOL stands for Laughing Out Loud.

   Edited 5/2/2003 4:01:07 AM ET by Powerslave

1. 
   JeffKurtz | May 02, 2003 06:42pm | #11

   Don't know of a site, but there are a few at these sites.

   http://members.aol.com/woodmiser1/rigjig.htm

   http://www.millard.demon.co.uk/index.htm

   Jeff

1. 
   RoyinMD | May 02, 2003 07:11pm | #13

   I don't know about the Internet but there are many great books on jigs and fixtures. I have two old ones that are just for routers. I'm sure there are web pages with great information but nothing beats a good book. I don't like buying books off the Internet unless I know what I'm buying. I would rather go to a big bookstore like Borders get a cup of coffee and browse.

   Enjoy, Roy

2. 
   forestgirl | May 02, 2003 06:51pm | #12

   John, you're right, it's not lot's of love (though I do wish you the best, LOL!)  Stands for "laugh out loud."  Helps reader know the spirit of the statement.  The more common acronyms you'll see here are:

   LOL "laugh out loud"

   ROFL "Roll on the floor laughing"

   ROFLMAO "Roll on the floor laughing my A$$ off"

   IMO  "In my opinion"

   IMHO "In my humble opinion" (don't see that one so often at Knots)

   Here's a site you can bookmark if one comes up you can't figure out:http://www.geek2geek.org/

   You can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

   Edited 5/2/2003 11:55:36 AM ET by forestgirl

4. 
   davamoore | May 02, 2003 12:00am | #5

   I'd like to point up Roy and forestgirl's thoughtfulness.  Although I still stand by my point about deciding what you'd like to do and then buying the appropriate tools, the two of them stepped up and said, "OK... that said, here are some ideas."

   Kudos to them... and Robert, too.  I hang my head...

   David

   "The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad

1. 
   RoyinMD | May 02, 2003 12:23am | #6

   I agree with you 100% David. I have always thought the projects, ideas and dreams drive the tool purchases. I always think 'what do I need' more than 'what do I want'. Aside from winning Lotto of course, then all senseability goes.

   Enjoy, Roy

5. 
   JeffKurtz | May 02, 2003 03:27am | #7

   Welcome to Knots!  5 horsepower?!?!

   Here's a link to a collection of old plans that Delta published at one time.  A rather nice collection since they cover a broad range of skill levels, sizes, etc. - everything from bird houses to dining room tables.

   (If I recall correctly, for some time the traditional first project for the home shop was a garden trellis.  If executed correctly, this project will enable you to justify your purchase of the saw to your wife, since the first thing made will be for her.  At the same time, it should be quite ugly, the effect being that she won't ask you to build her anything thereafter.) 

   http://www.thewoodcrafter.net/retro.html

   Jeff

6. 
   stancalow | May 02, 2003 05:32am | #8

   Powerslave

   I am a relative newcomer (5 years) to the hobby.  A hobbyist - not a pro like many here.  I have made about a dozen boxes, only one good enough to leave the basement.  My observation is that progression is roughly as follows:

   step 1,  bird houses - basic measuring, cutting, painting skills

   step 2  jewelry boxes, picture frames  - more accurate measuring, basic joinery, basic finishing

   step 3 craft projects - clocks, knick-knacks, repairs - finishing,  design,

   step 4 - divergence -  at this point you start thinking about making money with your skills.  You look at the craft shows, and see the stuff that sells there, and decide that you can do that.  If that doesn't interest you . . .

   step 5  - basic furniture -  bookshelves or hope/blanket chest - more advanced joinery, and finishing become serious business.  

   or

   step 5 take tangents such as scrollsawing, woodturning or carving

   step 6  tables and chairs - more accurate measuring, joinery, flat surface finishing

   step 7 anything with drawers - serious joinery, moving parts

   step 8  big furniture projects - design big finishing

   Its fun to talk about power tools, but the real payoff is in things like clamps, files, jigs, books, and hand saws.  Oh, and put dust control at the top of your list.