Re: Woodworking Newbies

Some of the very first newbie stuff to practice on ... building plywood carcass.

Get yourself at least a circular saw and a router ...

Dadoes ...

newbie router slip

Re: Woodworking Newbies

Better than butt joints

Re: Woodworking Newbies

often newbies (like myself) concentrate on what tools to get and forget the SAFETY EQUIPMENT to get. often they get it after an accident.

here's mine

safety googles (i use it when it use power tools and work with CA glue, which is nasty and dangerous when it splats on your eyes)
dust mask (some woods like cocobolo are toxic, and the glue that keeps plywood together is toxic too)
welding gloves (when i bend wood)
apron (sounds girlie, but think of it as an extra layer of protection. plus the pockets can conveniently hold tools and reduce clutter, which can be dangerous)
first aid kit (band aids, gauzes, betadine, scissors)

now i'm thinking of getting a foot switch for the router. that way i can turn it on and off while holding it with two hands.

are there others you guys have outside this list?

Re: Woodworking Newbies

often newbies (like myself) concentrate on what tools to get and forget the SAFETY EQUIPMENT to get. often they get it after an accident.

here's mine

safety googles (i use it when it use power tools and work with CA glue, which is nasty and dangerous when it splats on your eyes)
dust mask (some woods like cocobolo are toxic, and the glue that keeps plywood together is toxic too)
welding gloves (when i bend wood)
apron (sounds girlie, but think of it as an extra layer of protection. plus the pockets can conveniently hold tools and reduce clutter, which can be dangerous)
first aid kit (band aids, gauzes, betadine, scissors)

now i'm thinking of getting a foot switch for the router. that way i can turn it on and off while holding it with two hands.

are there others you guys have outside this list?

Very well said brother. Safety is no. 1 and is everybody's concern.

Re: Woodworking Newbies

A foot switch on the router table is nice and dandy, but I wouldn't consider it safe as it can cause more accidents than make the machine safe.

Re: Woodworking Newbies

We have Welding Newbies, Mig Newbies, Tig Newbies thread. I don't think I saw one for woodworking.

So here we go .... Newbie Woodworkers this is our thread. You can post your works, experiences, queries and other matters of interest regarding your quest to learn wood works. Lots of masters here who can give constructive comments to help ... let's make use of that asset. Your tips to fellow newbies would be invaluable too.

Remember there is no stupid question.

This will be a very nice and very interesting thread specially for the hundreds of woodworking lurkers and newbies trying their hands on woodworking. I myself would like to do some stuffs with wood but still not sure where to start or what wood project to begin. May be with the creation of this thread, we newbies, can start posting simple and small projects for starters and possibly get substantial guidance from the veteran woodworkers here.

GO GO GO bro JayL, KUDOS to you on this thread !!!!! 😀 :attack:

Re: Woodworking Newbies

A foot switch on the router table is nice and dandy, but I wouldn't consider it safe as it can cause more accidents than make the machine safe.

now that you've mentioned it, i think i dont want to have a footswitch. now i can see all the bad things that can happen with it. accidental stepping, too many switch positions to remember. hehehe

thanks, i think...lol

also, it is important to READ THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL of every power tool you buy. most of us dont even bother to touch it, and the info there is very important. never assume you know the tool well unless you've read the manual hehehe

Re: Woodworking Newbies

Yes I am with Timber that a foot switch can pose as a hazard if installed on the RT. Probably a safety switch on the RT which can be easily Turned Off but Not On would be more safer.

For me I always make sure I unplug the router if I do something on the tool. Hmmm in fact I do this on ALL my power tools ( consumables load reload etc.. ) . It's been a habit now. I don't even trust the power strip On Off switch. Too many nasty pictures of power tool accidents on the net ....

In addition Reading Instruction Manuals is but a wise thing to do.

Re: Woodworking Newbies

this may be out of topic (sorry TS) but i think a lot of us think safety only after an accident happens. every single tool in the shop (whether powered or not) is a potential hazard.

aside from the obviously dangerous tools (table saw, routers, trimmers etc) seemingly harmless tools like the drill press (which looks so harmless) can really hurt you. chisels when not held properly or used with proper technique will slice your finger badly. CA glue, the fumes are bad and if it gets in the eye is a bad thing. also if you dont keep your chisels and planes very sharp the chances of an accident becomes high. a blunt blade (or bit) requires more force than a sharper one, increasing the risk of pushing it too far and thus slipping. a very sharp tool is actually safer. also keeping the tools clean and well maintained is a good idea.

keeping the work table and the shop clean and tidy reduces accidents. clutter is bad. you dont want a hammer to fall on your toes because the table is so full of crap that don't belong there.

i guess the message here to newbies is to establish good safety habits early in your career. don't be like me, i had to learn by getting hurt. now i feel like every tool in the shop wants to hurt me, so i'm very careful, very respectful of the tools. i dont trust them hehehe. i dont work when i'm tired, drunk or angry.

sorry if it sounds OT.

Re: Woodworking Newbies

I recommend installing a kill switch instead of a foot switch. It has to be easily accessible and w/in the proximity of the power tool source so you can readily cut off power in case an emergency arises. Seeing it more often also pre-programs our brain's safety consciousness.

Re: Woodworking Newbies

RESPECT for power tools seems to be the keyword. LOL

Re: Woodworking Newbies

Practice makes perfect.... Kaya lang make something, wag puro practice lang. You have to put it in an application. Making something encourages you to make your craft better. Unlike puro practice, you will get bored fast.

Re: Woodworking Newbies

have fun in building. take pride in the fact that the thing you made came from your own two hands 🙂

Re: Woodworking Newbies

Practice makes perfect.... Kaya lang make something, wag puro practice lang. You have to put it in an application. Making something encourages you to make your craft better. Unlike puro practice, you will get bored fast.

+ 1 ..... time to time mistakes on Wips will be reflected on subsequent Wips .... improvements in techniques and styles. Iba pag actual woodworking na.