Hi all

[RaidersGunz]

New member here, the names Andrew. Howdy.

Recently I've been searching the web and watching youtube videos to try to figure out the easiest/best way to make a wardrobe for my partner.

We've been using a really cheap wardrobe that was bought about 2 years ago from a local store. It's got mold at the back of it, it's falling apart, and even leans to the side. I'm not sure what type of wood it is made from but it's very flimsy, a bit of pressure and it would bend.

Okay so... I'm here to try to learn about different types of wood, different methods of putting a wardrobe together and just really want to build a strong/sturdy wardrobe that my partner deserves.

The bedroom is quite small so I'd like to get some drawers at the base.

Where is the best place to start?

(By the way, I have no tools whatsoever, but I'm more than willing to buy a drill/nailgun/handheld sander etc) If fact, I'm eager to buy these things. Whatever is needed.

 

[wcndave]

Welcome to the forum!

That's quite an open question you have there, where to start indeed!

You could probably do worse than:

- Get a book on woodworking from the library, Collins "Complete Woodworker's Manual" is considered a good stock text
- Google "beginners woodworking" and other terms and follow lots of links / videos etc
- Read some posts on here (you can start with searching on wardrobe if you like), and then search for new terms as you find things that interest you or you want to learn more about.
- Find a friendly local person to show you some basics, let you use their shop, help you with questions and tool selection

However, If you just want to do a wardobe, you might start looking at information about moulding on some post for example, wonder what a router is, follow links to read about routers, end up on build your own router table pages, then on sharpening router bits, then on sharpening pages... and get way off track. Woodworking is a big subject area, and you probably want to focus on things like joints / wood selection etc. even those are broad categories, so I am not sure one thread will get you to a finished product!

Perhaps do some reading, videos, practice with locals, and then ask some specific questions on forums as you need to know more. Of course, please ask lots of specific questions on the forum now too!

For videos, I follow: Wood Whisperer, Steve Ramsey, Paul Sellers, amongst others.

Steve Ramsey does basic and quick, and some basic tools projects, however also like table saw and cuts called "dados" for which you'd probably need a different method.
Paul does hand tools only, and they feel more detailed and like "fine woodworking the traditional way", useful to get a wide variety and styles of information.

Also, just hang around on the forum a while!

Finally, probably one good thing to do, is get a couple of tools and just make something. Not a wardrobe perhaps, something smaller and basic, just to get started, get a feel, and see whether you like it.

welcome again

Dave

 

[Alexam]

Welcome Andrew, hope you find lots of information to help you. This is certainly the place to start.
Alex

 

[RaidersGunz]

These are the tools that I feel I need to get me going

Drill
Pneumatic Nail Gun
Clamps (4)
Wood Glue
Hand Saw
Leveler
Measuring Tape.

I feel I may need an actual work top, however I do not have much room in my flat. Does anybody know any fold away benches etc? If need be, I could buy a small shed for the garden.

 

[RaidersGunz]

I might actually first start with just something basic, like a Stool.

I'll pop into Selco and B&Q and buy a saw/sander and some basic tools and get going. What wood would be best for a simple stool? I've been told Plywood is good, as is MDF.

 

[mind_the_goat]

Hello
Not sure I would have a nail gun on my list of beginner tools, a hammer would be a lot more versatile.
With a lack of space and tools a better bet might be to find a design that uses MDF (or preferably MRMDF which is more solid and better for furniture, but hard to find in B&Q) and get you supplier to cut it to size according to the plan. This should take care of the issues around cutting straight and square.
If you search for 'Beginner stool design' you will find a lot of links, many of which look like they include plans and step by step instructions, so you can see what wood and tools you need.

 

[Myfordman]

The first thing to sort out before you build anything is why is the mould there. Until that is diagnosed and sorted anything new you make is highly likely to suffer the same fate within a season or so.

Mould is sometimes a sign of penetrating damp but more usually is poor ventilation which is aggravated by building in furniture. If you are absolutely sure there is no penetrating damp. then you can insulate the wall and apply a vapour barrier on the warm side and once proven that there is no further mould forming, then build your wardrobe. In the mean time practise your skills with smaller projects ideally using some of the joints you plan to use in the project and you will then be better equipped to tackle a wardrobe.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

+1...well said Bob

Don't start with a wardrobe...it's big, unwieldy and tricky. Start with something smaller but using similar materials so you start to learn how they behave. I agree a compressed air nailer stands out a bit as a first purchase!! I would strike through that and add a bradawl, a carpenters or engineers square and a block plane to the list. Also a countersink bit in addition to a decent set of drill bits. You will need a bench to work on and you can either go the workmate direction which is a perfectly acceptable portable environment or just get some plastic trellises from one of the sheds and some min 3/4" maybe 1" MDF or ply as a top. The advantage of the workmate is its vice.

As far as what to build first, I would make a cabinet. You need to learn how to join a hollow box together since that's essentially what a wardrobe is. So cabinet construction is the knowledge area you want to focus on. Maybe a bathroom shaving cabinet or a bedside cabinet etc. Or just a rough tool cab for the garage etc. That will challenge you quite enough as a beginner. Then post back here as you go and as you encounter the fences....there will be many....and they're all fixable Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Also, heed Bob's advice about the damp......research that first, no point in covering the problem up is there

 

[RaidersGunz]

I've been advised that using MDF could potentially come with problems later on in life (Similarly to asbestos) - is this a myth?

It's part of the reason that I decided to go on the search for Plywood isntead of MDF.

 

[RaidersGunz]

+1...well said Bob

Don't start with a wardrobe...it's big, unwieldy and tricky. Start with something smaller but using similar materials so you start to learn how they behave. I agree a compressed air nailer stands out a bit as a first purchase!! I would strike through that and add a bradawl, a carpenters or engineers square and a block plane to the list. Also a countersink bit in addition to a decent set of drill bits. You will need a bench to work on and you can either go the workmate direction which is a perfectly acceptable portable environment or just get some plastic trellises from one of the sheds and some min 3/4" maybe 1" MDF or ply as a top. The advantage of the workmate is its vice.

As far as what to build first, I would make a cabinet. You need to learn how to join a hollow box together since that's essentially what a wardrobe is. So cabinet construction is the knowledge area you want to focus on. Maybe a bathroom shaving cabinet or a bedside cabinet etc. Or just a rough tool cab for the garage etc. That will challenge you quite enough as a beginner. Then post back here as you go and as you encounter the fences....there will be many....and they're all fixable Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Also, heed Bob's advice about the damp......research that first, no point in covering the problem up is there

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Try not to get too "paranoid" about MDF. The advice you've been given is confusing and just plain wrong. MDF dust contains fragments of the resin which is used to bond the wood fibres toether which is certainly not terribly good for you but is only a risk when you're cutting it ie when the dust is present, not after its in situ. It's simply nothing like asbestos.

Wearing a mask is a simple solution to avoid the dust, a 3M 7500 with a P3 filter is what you want. Cut it in a well ventilated area, outside preferably.

The original fear of MDF dust containing carcinogens has also changed with changes in its manufacturing. In addition that risk would require one to inhale a heck of a lot of the stuff rather than the occasional DIY use ie in an industrial setting. But always wear a proper decent fitting face mask when cutting any dusty material.

 

[RaidersGunz]

Can I buy the mask by itself? http://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-7500-SILICON ... B003TNXD18

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

yes and that's a good price. But beware, the P3 filters are quite expensive. I couldn't find them as a single pair anywhere and ended up buying a box of 10 pairs from Axminster that cost about £70. So if you have a source where you can get just a pair of filters then go for it...I couldn't find one (this was probably two years ago when my original 3M mask gave up the ghost).

 

[RaidersGunz]

Okay awesome, I'm just going to get the mask by itself for now, I'll just be sure to open the 3 windows in my room when I start sawing, as well as wear the basic mask. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

woooaaa hang on...the basic mask without filters is completely useless! You will have to get filters. Without that you're actually better off just wearing one of those completely and utterly useless strap on plastic jobs that cost 99p for 10 million!

Don't even think about cutting MDF through a filter-free mask, 3M or otherwise.

 

[doorframe]

Hi.

Why do you think you need a nail gun?

 

[RaidersGunz]

Having nails as well as screws will make it super sturdy?

 

[Bodgers]

The pneumatic nail gun + air compressor might get interesting in a flat. As would a would a lot of power tools and associated noise and dust.

My first job would be to get a sizable shed/outbuilding set up in your garden as you suggested.

 

[mind_the_goat]

Back on the dust thing, if you are sawing MDF (or sanding anything) in your room there may be little point in using the mask as much of the dust will stay in the room. Although, as previously mentioned MDF dust is not especially bad from a chemical point of view, but breathing in any sort of dust should be avoided if possible, MDF dust is very fine and will float around for sometime before settling on the floor and all your other surfaces where you can hoover (other makes of vacuum cleaners are available) it up You should definitely have the hoover on while you are sawing but you will need a third hand to hold it close to the cut. If would be better if can do the sawing outside. This would be an advantage of using ply, or solid wood as the dust will be heavier and most of it will end up on the floor.