Yet Another Newbie Woodworker

[thomppj]

Like many around here, I am a newbie woodworker. I have had repeated trouble throughout my starter projects in finding wood from which to build. As with being new at this, I don't own either a table saw or a planer, so my wood shaping ability is limited by the general dimensions of the wood I can find.

So far, I have done my shopping at Lowe's and then a little at a lumberyard in town. The lumber yard seemed mostly oriented toward larger construction projects. Lowes, on the other hand, has a nice collection of "hobbiest" wood. However, the variety available is very limited.

They have a section of pine (ponderosa, I think), maple, and oak. I have been using the pine, so far, as my projects don't really warrent the quality of the nice wood.

Anyways, I have some questions about buying wood:

1. Where would I have to go to get some a better selection of wood? Do I need to visit a bigger city with some sort of specialty wood store? Or am I simply looking in the wrong types of stores? )Note that the town I live in has a population of around 50,000 ... and isn't really THAT tiny.)

2. Someday, when I rise to the level of a more experienced, quality woodworker, how would I go about getting the right pieces of wood for a project? Would I just start with huge chunks of wood and then use a table saw/planer to make them the right size?

3. This isn't about buying wood, but I'll ask it also. I have the desire to become a really professional quality woodworker. I want to do stuff old style with nice, metal fastener-less joints, and all that fun. Where does someone learn these types of skills? As far as I can tell now, my resources are limited to books, local vo-tech type places, handyman tv shows, and any wise old woodworkers I can find around here. Can anyone give me a hint on what kind of steps I should take to come closer to my goal?

Thanks for your time!

[Bob]

Newbie-

A lot of questions there!

First. Your choice of wood is limited at a HIW to the selections you mentioned. Even in Dallas,TX we're limited to the same. If you're wanting to branch out for more of a domestic/exotic selection, you need to surf the web. Woodworking mags have a lot of listings for dealers. Also, check previous postings of where folks have had good luck ordering. Also, talk to local cabinetmakers in your community. They may be willing to order for you. If you in reasonable driving distance to a larger city, you may be able to make a monthly trip to stock up. I travel to east Texas once a month. It's a big savings - well worth the drive.

Second. Size up the project before you begin cutting. You want to get the maximum return on your cuts. Draw it to spec., make a cut list and then purchase what you need. If you buy rough lumber, you'll need to shape it out with the appropriate tool.(buying rough cut lumber will also save you money, but it takes work to get the sizes you need)

Third. I've learned a lot from Norm and the other guys, but hands-on instruction in the best. If you can take a class or two, do it. There is also a lot of seminars, week-long sessions, and retreats all over the U.S. If you can, use your vacation time to visit a new part of the country and learn woodworking at the same time. What could be better! Of course, my wife and kids don't feel the same way. There are excellent books available as well, written specifically for anything and everything. I'll be glad to send you list if you would like.

If you're thinking of doing it professionally, your better off seeking an apprenticeship or attending a furniture-making school. This is a huge committment, with very little, if any pay. But if it's REALLY what you want to do, go for it!

Lastly. The tools you have will obviously limit your ability. Any woodworker will tell you, buy a tool once. In other words, buy the best. That doesn't mean the most expensive. Be smart with your investing, so invest in high quality tools. A table saw should be first. It's the cornerstone of your shop.

I hope this has helped. Good luck and Happy Holidays.

-Bob

[Lou_williams]

Wow, lots of questions and I am only going to give you some of the answers.

Wood purchasing.

Home centers are set up to sell volume and they price good wook like it is gold. I don't buy anything from them, but then I have a full shop. It took me 30 years to get there, but I have it now.

There a lots of quality wood suppliers that will sell and ship almost any kind of wood you might need. The back of most wood mag's have list of them and I think if you go to the wood links section here there will be people selling wood on line.

You will have problems without tools, there is only so much you can do, but you could build almost anything with a hand bow saw, a good set of planes, chisels and lots of time. In the days before Table Saws and the power plug in the wall very nice stuff was built.

The key is that your wood needs to be true, that means it must be flat, with each edge at a true 90 degree to the others. sized correctly for the application. You then make the joints to connect the diffenent piecs together. If the wood is not true you won't get the joints to work.

You will find lots of infomation here on the best power tools to buy and everyone has an opionion. But if I were you I would start with nice hand tools. Remember to make them sharp before you use them. Nothing come from the store sharp anymore.

A good source for information on doinf fine work, which is what you said you wanted to do is in Fine Woodworking http://www.taunton.com/fw/. I have lots of the old issues and they have an online index. You can buy old issue on line and they have lots of infomation that would help you.

I would check with your local adult ed and college sometimes they have basic classes on woodworking. But I have leaned most of all I know by the moto of my college Learn by doing. It may be harder but read and try is the best teacher. I have some very nice pieces to show for my 30 years of effort.

If you want ot jump in and buy tools The top 5 from my side are in order,

Bandsaw, You can size wood with it from almost trees. It is very versital

Jointer need one more than the table top units don't waste your money, This tool gives you true sized pieces. Face and edge square to each other.

Planner This make all your jointed wood the same thickness. A very nice thing to have to start cutting joints.

Table Saw. The most versital of tools and the center of all shops. But save for a good one. Don't buy one from the home centes. Read the description listed here and go for a real saw. That is why it is 4th on my list.

Router and good table to go with it. You can do lots and lots of things with this setup. You will spend more on bits than you will for the router and table, Thats why its last on my list.

good luck.