New at wood working, hand tools and aids for doing projects

[manxnorton]

Hello all,
ive been asking for advice on another thread, about power tools.
due to beaning partially disabled (left side of my body & speech/learning difficulty)
I (we, the people that posted advice) I feel that in safely it will be better to learn and operate hand tools first, and then make simple projects.
Until If I feel the need for power tools are important for me just to get the work right, ill prob look at a band saw and a sander.
so far I'm getting a few hand tools such as-rip saw, tenon saw (x 2) lol internet shopping I suck at it!!!, coping saw, mitre saw, a folding away bench, mitre box and loads of clamps, set square etc.
today I'm trying to learn the right joints! and how I can make then with hand tools.
Im not sure the best joint to start with or the best joint for a simple tool rack (please see pic,dont laugh too hard!)
please advice on the various joints that best suited, and able to make with one hand.
Any advice will be deeply appreciated.
ATB
Brian

 

[Racers]

First thing to do is to watch some of these videos.

http://www.pbs.org/show/woodwrights-shop/

Pete

 

[curtisrider]

Hi Brian

Well done for getting stuck in! I Teach Design and Technology and I therefore hope my advice is of some use to you. I would recommend getting the basics dialled first, making sure you practice marking out and cutting straight. Without those skills you will struggle with any types of joint regardless of the complexity. I find my students struggle most with keeping the saw straight, you have a mitre saw and box which will help you rather a lot in your position, so little projects like your tool rack and perhaps some box photo frames with mitre joints and slots made with the tenon saw for some glass/acrylic would be a perfect way of honing your skills and making something useful too!

Some joints you won't be able to achieve without a selection of chisels and a mallet so they may be wise future investments for you along with a honing guide and a stone for keeping them sharp. This will be a difficulty if you only have proper use of one hand, i'm not sure if you are in a position where your other hand can be used as a support at all?

I have some spare hand tools that I would be willing to send over your way, give me a message and we can arrange for that to be sorted.

 

[manxnorton]

Hi Brian

Well done for getting stuck in! I Teach Design and Technology and I therefore hope my advice is of some use to you. I would recommend getting the basics dialled first, making sure you practice marking out and cutting straight. Without those skills you will struggle with any types of joint regardless of the complexity. I find my students struggle most with keeping the saw straight, you have a mitre saw and box which will help you rather a lot in your position, so little projects like your tool rack and perhaps some box photo frames with mitre joints and slots made with the tenon saw for some glass/acrylic would be a perfect way of honing your skills and making something useful too!

Some joints you won't be able to achieve without a selection of chisels and a mallet so they may be wise future investments for you along with a honing guide and a stone for keeping them sharp. This will be a difficulty if you only have proper use of one hand, i'm not sure if you are in a position where your other hand can be used as a support at all?

I have some spare hand tools that I would be willing to send over your way, give me a message and we can arrange for that to be sorted.

Wow!
Thank very much for the emazing advice and the offer of sorting some tools for me, I appreciate for help and I gladdy take u on the offer.
Your right about the marking and trying to get a straight line.
I spent 4 hrs assembling a 'workmate' type of work bench (am I able to say the name of it??)
Tbh the instruction might as well been written in Kylon (bad spelling lol) and most of the 4hrs was sitting just working out how can I use the tool with the nuts n bolts with one hand...Sussed by a fine molegrip in place and tightening with my good hand..
Marking the wood..I simply clamp the wood get my measure balanced on the wood..get a quick release clamp on the ruler and the wood..mark the point.
Then same again using my set square..and get it marked all around the wood.
Hopefully the scap wood is even and they lines should meet exactly..
I've seen a unjustable scipe on the net.
Might be a good idea to purchase one..as long as I have a straight edge to start with..(this will when the mitre box comes in handy.
Unfortunately I'm not unable to use a mallet or hammer in my bad hand!! Tried for 3 weeks solid (7 days a week) as my exersices..but the bad arm has only 'robotic' movements and slow let alone trying to have a grip..
Ohhh! Well I'll not be beaten if there's a will there's a way n all that.
My first dovetail joints are bad!! Lol so as you say getting the marking and the clean cut perfectly is going to be practice..
The mitre box is still to come, so all hopes are that.
Motivation and determinatarion is my ally, months of lying on a hospital bed and looking at no limb on the left side can move..by the the third week I could wiggle my toe, and weeks later a finger..and so on. Intense theropy and speech theropy my memory loss(including reading, writing and speaking) made me stand up at about the 5 month mark!!
And there where no holding back lol.
But this thread is a life story if Brian..sorry bit of a tangent there.
I really appreciate your help of some tools, and I can contribute of payment and postage etc.
Please PM with info.

I've starting looking on the Vidio's on the net etc.
Great advice for learning.
Tbh my believe is if a hand tool can be used by two hand, they maybe be used with one hand...and a exra aid..
Hoping the mitre box comes today.
Thx again for your help, I'm humble.
ATB
Bri

 

[manxnorton]

First thing to do is to watch some of these videos.

http://www.pbs.org/show/woodwrights-shop/

Pete

Thanks Pete,
I love the old hand tools, and the advice tip etc.
ATB
Bri