Rwham Posted March 22, 2017 Report Share Posted March 22, 2017 I have been wanting to start woodworking for a couple years now and I just can't figure out where to begin. What tools would I need to get started? Where is the best places to buy materials? I live in Michigan. I just would like to have a hobby that I can work towards perfecting and possibly end up making a business out of it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Barron Posted March 22, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 22, 2017 I think it's best to have an idea of what you want to build, then assemble tools needed. If you have a Woodcraft nearby, they often offer beginning wood working classes. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSouthWoodCraft Posted March 22, 2017 Report Share Posted March 22, 2017 I have been wanting to start woodworking for a couple years now and I just can't figure out where to begin. What tools would I need to get started? Where is the best places to buy materials? I live in Michigan. I just would like to have a hobby that I can work towards perfecting and possibly end up making a business out of it. Honestly there is no right answer here, it's a complete myriad of answers and all of them have valid points. My suggestion beyond finding a local Woodcrafters or Rockler to learn the beginning skills is to get some basic carpentry tools. A good circular saw, cordless drill, tape measure or folding tape, tri square, a few clamps, and of course some glue. Don't blow the budget right out of the gate. A decent saw and drill with good blades and bits will take you far and shouldn't kill your budget. The question what is your skill level? Zero experience, novice, framing carpenter, finish carpenter? Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BArnold Posted March 23, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Like the others have asked, "What do you want to do?" Most of my life, I did very simple items - mainly a few toys, etc., that I could do with a circular saw, jigsaw, hammer and nails - maybe some screws. Around age 50 or so, I really wanted to learn to do more - mostly because of watching TV shows like New Yankee Workshop. Although I saw things I thought would be nice to build, I lacked confidence. Then, I finally realized that all my life I had been tackling complex things with success, so I started doing more. I started small with a quilt hanger, but used "real" wood - cherry - rather than cheap pine. My first real woodworking tool was a table saw - the heart of any shop. It was an inexpensive contractor saw but it did the job - up to a point. After a few years, I learned the value of buying rough cut wood, got a planer and upgraded to a bigger table saw. From there, it's been one thing after another. I began to design and build furniture for our home, which was a good thing. I built the quality of furniture we couldn't afford to buy! Yes, I thought about making money on woodworking, but stayed busy saving money by building things for our home, so it was a trade-off. Over the years, I did a couple of commissions and decided that, while a bit of income was nice, I really wanted to keep my "hobby" just that. So, here I am with a fully equipped shop and having fun. People with boats and those who play golf all the time look at me like I'm crazy. Well, maybe I am, but I'm not throwing money into a hole in the water or chasing a little ball around the pasture! lol 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rwham Posted March 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 I am more interested in building things like furniture or stuff for the house. I have some experience. But most of it is from building bird houses or small things like that. I've worked on several buildings with my father. Houses, car ports, gazebos, etc. my girlfriend and I just got our own place and I have a garage and zero hobbies (besides working on my old truck). And I thought maybe I could build us some nice stuff for the house. Tables, chairs, maybe a book shelf. And see where it goes from there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Now that we know the destination, directions how to get there will be easier to give. Do you have a budget to work within? And are you thinking more power tools vs. hand tools? My personal preference would be to start gathering small items, like a decent square, maybe a bevel gague, and a marking gauge and knife. While saving (if needed) for the bigger machines, tablesaw, jointer, planer, bandsaw, various sanders. And dust collection...never forget dust collection! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rwham Posted March 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 I have a couple hundred a month to go towards this. I'd prefer power tools but I wouldn't be against using hand tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bleedinblue Posted March 23, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Wood magazine had a pretty nifty running article on how to set up a shop over the course of a couple hundred dollars a month. I'd look into that. Here it is. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Maybe try popular Woodworking's "I Can Do That" series. Simple projects and tool requirements are minimal. Watch Marc's videos and you'll find several projects that are within the reach of motivated beginners. You'll learn a lot on this forum. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 With just a bit of study and practice, you can make great furniture with hand tools, and not that many of those. Takes more time, but the feeling of gratification is pretty high. I'd still invest in a power planer, at least. Milling boards flat and square by hand is a great skill to master, but gets old REALLY quick. Honestly, the best thing I can recommend is that you start by reading as much from this forum as you can. Understanding how the medium behaves is the biggest hurdle most new woodworkers face, and that topic is disussed here repeatedly, covering just about any circumstance you can imagine. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 First, decide on something you want to build. Then figure out how to do it as you go along. I've done this for a living for 43 years now. The hardest thing I see that new people have to overcome is reluctance. There is no set, or best, plan or formula, or list of tools to start with. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandorLush Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Best way for me was to just go buy some nice hardwood and just build something. Don't worry about it being perfect, don't even worry about it being good but going out and getting some crappy 1x pine from home depot because you don't want to screw up "nice" wood is just frustrating. Buy some cherry or walnut and just make something out of it. At the end, everything you learn will be related to the craft without having to learn how to make crap wood not be crap and that is more valuable than the lumber will ever cost you. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post prov163 Posted March 23, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Woodworking, or any craft for that matter, has for most people two stages. At first it's all about the finished product - does it bring a smile to the face of the person who receives it. If you stop at this point, which is certainly a viable option, it is an enjoyable pastime with lots of rewards. The second stage, for those who continue to pursue the craft in whatever approach is their preference - all hand tools, all power tools, or hybrid - the satisfaction is found in the process itself. When you look at the finished project, you smile to yourself because you remember the gnarly grain you tamed with a scraper, or how the dovetails fit just right off the saw, etc. It becomes more about the journey than the destination. Or I could just be full of crap Just go make something. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legenddc Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Read this - And if you want great instructions on building a bookshelf with a limited set of tools - https://thewoodwhispererguild.com/product/one-two-sheet-bookcases/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Do yourself a favor and take up hiking instead. This hobby will break you. A couple hundred a month should get you a serviceable shop by the time you're nearly dead...if you're in your twenties now. That's just not enough money to pursue this thing with any real gusto, IMO. It takes an earnest investment in time and money or it's not really worth it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown craftsman Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Ha Eric makes a good point. And reminds me of the saying behind every great woodworker is a wife with a great job! And it's so true for me my wife has surpassed me in my former career of roofing. Now the pressure is on me an ordinary common woodworker to make a buck. Aj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 I started with a jigsaw, a router and cheap hand tools. It was painful but I persisted because I wanted the products I was making (bah, the wife wanted them). Pretty much what prov163 said. But Eric is right, if you want to enjoy this hobby, you need a decent set of tools to start with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 50 minutes ago, Eric. said: Do yourself a favor and take up hiking instead. This hobby will break you. A couple hundred a month should get you a serviceable shop by the time you're nearly dead...if you're in your twenties now. That's just not enough money to pursue this thing with any real gusto, IMO. It takes an earnest investment in time and money or it's not really worth it. Eric is right. I thought when I started it wouldn't be terribly expensive but even after buying your initial complement of tools, you still need to buy wood, which ain't cheap. Then you want better tools and the the rabbit chase begins. All hobbies are like that. Even hiking can be expensive once you buy the right boots, backpack, etc. If woodworking is something you feel strongly about doing, then prepare to invest in it reasonably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 15 minutes ago, prov163 said: All hobbies are like that. Even hiking can be expensive once you buy the right boots, backpack, etc. If woodworking is something you feel strongly about doing, then prepare to invest in it reasonably. Yeah that's true but it's all relative. I'm sure I have at least a few grand invested in all my outdoor hiking/backpacking/canoeing toys...but that's peanuts compared to what woodworking has cost me. Tens of thousands. And the main difference is, hiking can still be enjoyable when pursued in a minimalist way. Not so true for woodworking unless you just wanna carve spoons or turn pens. If you plan to build furniture, prepare to spend some real money. Even the craigslist guys spend more than a couple hundred a month, on average, to put a shop together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 24, 2017 Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 I would sort of disagree about the cost. If you don't mind taking a lot of TIME to build stuff, you can get along with a few inexpensive hand tools, a sharpening system, and patience. A bit like making a 20-seat dug-out canoe with a soup spoon, but it does work. I probably have less than $1k in tools that I purchased, but there are also gifts & inherited tools. I still enjoy the process, even if there is more time spent honing and fettling to make tools perform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawdust703 Posted March 24, 2017 Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 I'm w/old south. Startin' out in wood working has alot to do with choice. The first thing you need to decide is what your interest is. Furniture, scrollin', whatever. Find ya some readin' & research on the tools that's involved with makin' whatever you decide. Then ya need to spend time studyin' & researchin' wood. Different species, what it looks like, when it's workable, etc. A little studyin' on finishin' wouldn't hurt, neither. I'm suggestin' all this to ya b'cause I been in your shoes. I was an OTR truck driver all my life, & didn't know anything else. When my Sawbones gave me the long face, & told me I was done truckin', I started readin' everything I could about the tools, wood, you name it. And in the mean time, we picked up a few tools here & there. I taught myself how to use every machine we bought. My shop was a small room in our basement then. I've moved to a bigger shop b'cause of more toys, ya see. But in 25 years of woodworkin', I've owned some junk, & made it work for me. I wore out the first scroll saw I had. Since then, I've added 5 more scroll saws to our shop. An 8" 1950's tablesaw. planer, jointer, belt/disc sander, RAS saw, drill press, 2 lathes, & numerous hand & air tools. And my tools ain't all new & shiny, neither. Some are a little on the rough side, but they all do what I need them to do when I ring their bell. With your circular saw, you can do anything you need to do. A drill, hammer, tape measure, & a couple hand planes, you're off to the races, brother! You just need to spend time learnin' your equipment, then start ya a project. You'll do just fine. You was given two feet for a reason. One step at a time. Hang in there, cowboy! Before long, you'll have everything ya need! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gee-dub Posted March 24, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 I re-started the craft after a couple decade hiatus. I bought a used tablesaw and bandsaw for $180 and a shop vac for $90. fifteen years later I still use the shop vac and doubt I have yet spent on tools what I spent on a very short bout with golf. I'm sure I'm no where near my friend's fishing investment. I don't own any of the premium priced tools or machines but, do have hand planes that cost more than my drill press It sounds like you want to build some furniture for yourself and maybe for others. Fixing up around the house accounts for a large part of my interruptions so we have that in common too. Others have given good advice on not trying to do this on a shoestring; that way leads to madness. However, you don' need a fleet of systainers and a euro-slider to get started either. The reason I started with some used stuff was that I was uncertain if the craft would stick this time around. Start small and don't be afraid to buy decent used machines with the knowledge that they may be replaced. Hold off on hand tools till your sure the big has bitten because I poor hand tools are worse than no hand tools IMHO. You can do some serious home populating with a jointer, planer, tablesaw, bandsaw, drill press and a few hand tools. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rwham Posted March 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 So I acquired a few tools this week. Circular saw, drill, a couple hammers, some clamps. I have access to a small planer, table saw, and a router. But does anyone have any plans for some projects that I can do that will help teach me the basics? Just something that I can build to get some hands on work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bleedinblue Posted March 24, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 14 minutes ago, Rwham said: So I acquired a few tools this week. Circular saw, drill, a couple hammers, some clamps. I have access to a small planer, table saw, and a router. But does anyone have any plans for some projects that I can do that will help teach me the basics? Just something that I can build to get some hands on work? Check out "Make Something" on YouTube. He makes a lot of relatively easy crafty type projects. Same goes for "Woodworking for mere mortals." 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSouthWoodCraft Posted March 24, 2017 Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 Check out "Make Something" on YouTube. He makes a lot of relatively easy crafty type projects. Same goes for "Woodworking for mere mortals." Definitely super informative and straight forward builds from both guys. I would check out Steve's other videos under the basics categories. "Modern Builds" and "FixThisBuildThat" are also two good YouTubers to check out. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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