Never would have thought I'd love wood so much (1 Viewer)

[Gideon]

Started taking classes last September at a community college - a two year program and I totally love it.

Great teacher, learning at a fast pace, building something I know is quality. I am never going to Ikea ever again!

Any aspiring or current woodworkers on the forum?

 

[Gideon]

a few of my first projects

 

[Gideon]

I love making perfect fitting joins and finishing is a lot of fun too

 

[thebritfarmer]

Very nice craftsmanship Gideon. I used to be quite good in high school but haven't done anything for years.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Wow Gid! I always knew you came from a talented family, and you definitely have the creative gene!

 

[mikemiller1955]

That is very cool...I am going to check into our city community college and see if there is a similar course...nice work on your projects.

 

[gi546]

now you can make your own figure shelves!

 

[Gideon]

Haha, yeah, I've thought of that but I have a bunch of projects in line before that. Most everything I want to build I have friends who would like something similar. Usable simple things - well made and fit in with modern and casual decor.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Nicely done Gideon!

 

[theBaron]

Very nice, Gideon! Woodworking is another hobby of mine, though I haven't gotten to indulge in it much lately.

I love the title you chose for this thread, too. In the words of Michael Scott, "That's what she said".

Prost!
Brad

 

[Gideon]

Lol, totally unintentional.

I get very anxious during assembly and just prior to sanding, blocking planing and finish sanding. Then, when I'm done sanding to 320 and ready to stain I chill out a bit.

I'm nuts. Our instructor, more experienced finish carpenters and furniture makers all tell me that they look at and run their hands all of the mistakes and things they don't like about the piece too. All tell me that it's a natural material and we only have so much control. Over time, I will get better.

I'll be looking for part time work after this "school year" is completed. If I can get 15 - 20 hours per week in a shop then I qualify for apprentice pricing which is about half of the second year class cost.

So, if anybody out there knows somebody in Philly or a little out side of (maybe lower Bucks) I would love to meet them.

Also joined a wood working guild in south NJ. Man, found a new passion - wish I could have had access to this 15 years ago.

 

[theBaron]

In case you haven't heard of these shows yet, Gideon, check out:

http://cms.thewoodworkingshows.com/cms/Home/tabid/132/Default.aspx

I went to the one in Somerset, but had to miss Reading 2 weeks ago. Lots of demos, many vendors offering show deals (I went in with a buddy of mine and we split the show package from Woodline USA-a combination of a router table box joint jig, which I wanted, and I forget what the other piece was. But we saved $20 each), well worth visiting.

We also go to the local Woodcraft store, there's one up here, in Allentown. Their main website is http://www.woodcraft.com/, you can check their store locator for a store closer to home for you.

Gradually (very gradually) I am remodeling my house, and I'm redoing the woodwork myself, from selecting the stock, to milling it. I prefer oak, and stained before painted, though I'm leaning towards pine for the basement finish.

And with the box joint jig, I plan to make boxes for my soldiers, it will be much easier to rout the fingers for the joint, than cutting them by hand (which is what I had to do before). I'm not Amish, after all, and power tools can save some work for jobs like that.

I'm with you, it is very rewarding.

Prost!
Brad

 

[glossman]

a few of my first projects

Hi Gideon,

Very impressive wood work. Great Job !!

Best Wishes, Raymond.

*****************

 

[Gideon]

Wow, you were hand cutting joints in boxes for your soldier? That is painfully tedious.

Just get a router, do your layout and dado/rabbet the boxes together.

 

[Gideon]

So... Fast forward a bit. Today was frustrating but I came out with something I kind of like/kind of don't. I like the top - scrap walnut but the base needs a style - some character, a type of leg shape. But, I suppose those things will come with time and experience.

The piece is funky in that I wound up securing the top to the legs via stainless steel star drive screws which look pretty neat. Drawback is that the legs are made from Ipe (ironwood) which is the hardest wood know to man. It ate a drill bit and snapped the last screw I used to mount it.

Anyways, this is the table prior to the screws -

 

[Gideon]

Making lots of progress and selling a good amount of work now.

Also, I may be working at a communal woodworking shop in Manyunk, Philly. It will be run like a gym membership, monthly membership fee and passes for blocks of days available. If I land the job, I'll be maintaining the machines, assist with members projects including being a sounding board for ideas, assistance with layout, board layouts, design specs and production. Kind of a little slice of heaven for me. ^&grin That is, if I get the job.

Any way, here is a public gallery of my work for all of you who are interested to see:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.205059762560.128250.753447560&type=3