Workshop Compulsions

[LancsRick]

I don't have any projects that need doing at the moment. The house is in good shape, I've just remodelled the workshop, and no friends are asking for favours.

This is not good news!

I really want to be in the workshop doing SOMETHING, but I have no idea what to go and make. It's like some sort of withdrawal from having a project on the go!

Anyone else get this?

 

[ED65]

I do know what you mean. You say you've just remodelled the workshop but sure there's nothing that could do with being knocked up in the 'workshop aids and devices' realm? Say a few planing stops of different thickness to be clamped in the vice? They won't take long but they'd be a very useful addition if you don't already have something permanent for that purpose.

Or how about something you've been meaning to make for ages but have put aside for so long you've forgotten about, an oilstone box perhaps? Good way to use up that one length of hardwood you've been holding on to for something.

 

[custard]

Push yourself.

Identify something you'd be proud to produce that's beyond your current skills, then patiently figure out how to make it.

 

[Glynne]

Jigs, you can't have too many jigs.
Form bench hooks through to shooting boards (normal / mitre / donkey's ear), dovetail alignment board, router jigs (have a look at Ron Fox on Wealden's site), sleds for the table saw etc. etc.
They might only be an interim project for now but you won't half appreciate it when you need to use them for a full blown project. And a lot of jigs do need to be made accurately so it's not just a case of throwing them together. They are a proper project in their own right.

 

[LancsRick]

Thanks guys. I think a router thicknessing jig/sled might have to get onto the project list!

 

[rafezetter]

Pinterest - "woodworking" just a few minutes looking on that will give you all manner of ideas; as said before, jigs galore, artwork, wooden sandals (which actually look pretty good for those "just out of the shower" moments), grab some scrap and turn a half dozen replacement handles for chisels and sell them for beer money....

Or as custard said, maybe try something new - maybe veneering, or a coffee table made of steam bent wood laths or other project that's a bit more "technical".

There's bound to be something that catches your eye and luckily, no time constraints to play around and make mistakes.

 

[Adam9453]

Like custard and others have said, I'd find a new technique you've not tried or perhaps not mastered, then think of an interesting project to test them out.
Have you got any pregnant friends that you like enough to make a crib for their upcoming offspring?
I've often thought cribs could be made infinitely more interesting and better/easier to use.

 

[AJB Temple]

I agree. Lean a new skill. Carve a violin scroll. Make a violin. It will test every skill you have.
Or make a chess board and pieces.
Or make a small, super high quality heirloom piece.
Or learn ti make Japanese joints.
Or make a very fine plane

The list can be endless......

 

[LancsRick]

Router thicknessing jig needs designing and building, and I'm going to make some small boxes after seeing the post in the other thread on 52 box ideas. I've got some 1" stock that's only 3" wide or so that I'll rip into 0.5" and make some dinky boxes, never done that before!

 

[MIGNAL]

I don't have any projects that need doing at the moment. The house is in good shape, I've just remodelled the workshop, and no friends are asking for favours.

This is not good news!

I really want to be in the workshop doing SOMETHING, but I have no idea what to go and make. It's like some sort of withdrawal from having a project on the go!

Anyone else get this?

No, that's good news. It's bad news when you are half way through making a grand piano, spent hundreds of hours (and £££'s) on it and you suddenly realise you didn't want to make a grand piano after all.
I say you go make a stick bomb. If you decide to pack it in at the half way stage, well you haven't lost a lot. If you complete it you can have all the fun of a kid.