Hi...

[Kerr1992]

Hi guys,

No idea if this is in the right place or not but I couldn't see a welcome section. Might just be blind though.

So anyway, HI!

I'm currently a trainee accountant at heriott watt. I'm looking for a more hands on hobby apart from obsessive car cleaning

I like the idea of learning to work with wood so I can do some jobs around my house and I'm quite interested in making all kinds of furniture. Would this be an unrealistic hobby? I am quite practical but its usually mechanical work on the car that I do.

Also where do use guys get plans as a beginner? I know you can design your own but thats a bit to much for me just now until i develop some woodworking skills.

It would be nice to hear from some of use guys, pros and hobbyists and all advice is much appreciated!

Oh and also, because I live in quite a small house its impossible for me to obtain massive industrial bits of kit many guys keep in there garage haha. However, I would be open to purchasing hand held power tools.

Cheers
Craig

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Hi Craig and welcome to the forum. Its certainly possible for you to get completely and utterly absorbed in wood working. One of the nice things about the hobby is it's scope is so versatile. From making a simple door wedge to building a house. Like all topics that are vast in range it's often best to start with a cracking good book aimed at beginners. But there is no substitute for attending an evening class in your local community centre or maybe if you have a carpenter friend who can walk you through the basics.

One things sure, very friendly bunch here will always down tools to help you on your way. It's an immensely satisfying craft and for knowledge workers (I'm one too) it's a welcome change to create something in the physical world instead of just more spreadsheets etc!

 

[Kerr1992]

Thanks for the response!

Yes the idea of sitting infront of a computer after work or uni is the last thing I want to do haha. I need something I can do at any time as there is only so many times you can wash a car and if the car isn't broken I have nothing to fix

Woodwork has always interested me. I can remember building things like photo frames at high school which was always fun.

What kind of books would you recommend? Might be able to get one second hand from amazon or eBay.

Cheers
Craig

 

[gregmcateer]

Craig,
Welcome to the forum. As said above, lots of help available here - they are a great bunch, (as long as you avoid politics and tool sharpening :lol:

 

[DrPhill]

Hi from me too. This is a friendly and helpful forum.

I cannot be specifically helpful - I am more of a carver than a joiner. Why not choose a small project and then ask for specific advice? Starting with hand tools may be an Important part of the learning process. There are always tasks that no power tool can do, so the skills will not be wasted.

 

[Kerr1992]

Yes I would probably start with some hand tools as I don't have the funds to run out and buy power tools at the moment haha.

Gonna take a look in the shops next week for hand tools

Thanks
Craig

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Watch second hand shops, junk shops, car boots, auctions etc. With the exception of very high end stuff, new is NOT better than old.

 

[Kerr1992]

I'll just keep my eye on eBay

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Have a look at the Paul Sellers YouTube on Ferlinghetti wooden planes Craig

Thinking about it, that's a really good place to start. Buy yourself a second hand woodie and learn how to fettle it

 

[MIGNAL]

sellers-fettles-a-wooden-plane-t81420.html

Anything around 14 to 18 " long is a good start. That and a smaller smoothing Plane.
I honestly wouldn't pay more than a few quid for each one. Probably more important is to get one that is in decent condition - so no cracks or chips, blade/chipbreaker and wedge in good condition. They will almost certainly need some work to get them to 'sing'. That in itself is a good exercise because you get to know why Planes sometimes have problems.
You will also need a small setting hammer. Any cheap small hammer will do.
The next is some sort of sharpening medium. Old oil stones can be had for cheap. You will almost certainly need a coarse/medium grit.
This combination diamond stone is decent:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Master- ... sharpening

Not bad for around £15 delivered.

 

[whiskywill]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Master-Class-Combination-Sharpening/dp/B004VQXO84/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1403869210&sr=8-4&keywords=kitchen+craft+sharpening

Not bad for around £15 delivered.

Why do I see £21 delivered?


Sorry, just looked again and see that it is available for £8.99 plus £4.59 postage, so even cheaper.

 

[Kerr1992]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice guys it's much appreciated. Will be looking to get some of these tools ASAP.

One final question. Where do use get your wood supplies? I've been looking around but most of it seems to be construction based. Can't seem to find any normal stuff

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

search your local area for hardwoods or cabinetmaking supplies or even wood turning supplies or similar. There are some Scots on here so someone will likely see the thread and may be able to point you to a known local place. It might be worth calling the Jewsons or the travis Perkins as even thought they may not stock exotic hardwoods they probably know who does.
To start out with though, using joinery quality softwoods isn't a bad idea as they're relatively inexpensive to make mistakes with and they're kinder on your tools while you're developing the basics. A local wood supplier to me is Arnold Laver and I know they're National so give them a try too...not so sure if they're in bonny Scotland.

 

[Green]

Hi Kerr

I served my time in Broxburn (well Uphall really) the old works are now a new housing estate There used to be a wee wood place in either Grange road or Station Road, if I remember correctly it hidden in amongst the houses. I don't know if it's still there.

Welcome aboard.

P.S don't mention sharpening.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

http://www.axminster.co.uk/the-essential-woodworker

This book is a pretty good place to start your reading too.