Wood Working Projects - Introduction

Welcome to my projects page.

Here are some of my projects.... It might seem odd that I've taken so long to put some of my own work up here.

Now, I don't pretend to be a professional carpenter, and the one thing that many wood working newbies out there do, is dwell on the "mistakes", perhaps even go so far as point them out to all who'll listen.

Want to know something?

Most people won't notice a mistake, unless it is particularly noticeable. Don't tell them, and most people will be happy that you made something. That's more than most people will ever do. Also, if you make something in a "rustic" fashion, then things that are normally considered mistakes actually add "charm".

Now, I'm not going to lie, there are going to be times when things go wrong, kind or somewhat-less-kind words will be uttered. Self recrimination, and frustration are part of this noble hobby. However, to contrast all this, is a sense of achievement, the overcoming of obstacles, and creative problem solving. I'm trying to inspire and prepare you, dear reader, not "lord it over" or mislead anyone.

Most of what I've built come in the forms of boxes, cabinets, shelves, tables, trolleys, drawers, jigs, the occasional wood carving, work benches, soap mould, and even a soap cutter. But don't let me dictate what you should make. The reason I don't make anything "fancy" is because I have way too much furniture already, and I literally have no room to keep anything I'd normally make and use. However, my goal for the last few years is build a garage/workshop that is both highly functional and spatially efficient. So most of my projects are things you'd find in a workshop.

Just remember the twelve (or so) wood working truths:

1. A clean and organised workspace is a safer, more efficient, and more fun place to work.
2. It's ok to practice every cut before the real one. Get comfortable with the actions and tools required. Practice on scrap first. Make sure it'll work safely, and then proceed.
3. Take your time, and check your calculations. Draw a picture (even badly), it'll help you to visualize your goals, and spot problems.... usually with your calculations because you forgot to consider something.
4. Never assume wood is square, straight, and that any edge is at right angles.
5. Cheap tools used creatively will outperform expensive tools used badly.
6. Mistakes will happen. Keep your scrap, and make something amazing with it.
7. Problems, can almost always can be fixed, adapted, or hidden.
8. Help is always useful. Don't be afraid to ask for help, but show appreciation for that help whenever it is given.
9. Putting things on wheels (with careful consideration of potential "tipping over" and brakes for lateral forces/sloped surfaces) is almost always a huge benefit.
10. Obtaining safety equipment should never be done half-heartedly. Have enough for any potential helpers too. Oh, and you have to actually use the safety gear whenever possible, not just when it's convenient.
11. I'm sorry, but Ikea/second hand furniture will probably be cheaper than making it... unless you have the time, the skills, access to free wood, and/or the tools to use rough very low grade wood.
12. Build things your way... just make sure that it works at the end. In short, don't give up and get it done.
    
    1. A lot of people will look down on certain types of wood working, whether that's pocket hole joinery, or using a CNC router to cut your wood. There's always someone who thinks: "That's not real or fine wood working". Pocket holes are used in most kitchen cabinetry because it is both strong and quick to assemble. A CNC router enables you to precisely cut wood, carve shapes, and make projects that look great and function smoothly. Guess what, so does a chisel and sandpaper, and I don't belittle any who uses them. They're effectively just another tool in your shop and you should use the tools you have when it suits.
    2. Similarly, don't think you can't do wood working on a budget. I've built a work bench using nothing but a $2 shop saw, screwdriver and a chipped chisel. Sure, it's not a french polished mahogany table, but most of what I do is functional, fits in the space, is stronger built than any Ikea piece, and will probably out last me. If it doesn't, it's more likely I'll converted it into something else, or repurposed it entirely.

Recognize your own style, habits, and what that means for your wood working:

I have an ever-so-slight tendency to over-engineer things because if I'm going to the effort of building stuff, I don't want to be disappointed by it down the track. This makes things more expensive to build as more materials are used. It also means that things get pretty.. sometimes very heavy... so I put nearly everything on wheels. When I don't put something on wheels, I have probably put it on adjustable feet instead :-)

Where will projects take you?

Now, I've obviously centred on whatever cabinet, shelf, drawers, etc... that I'm building at the time. However, once you're tooled up to build furniture, there's absolutely no reason you can't do more DIY jobs around the home... or even on the home itself.

Need to fix a hole in gyprock/drywall?

Cutting wood is often a LOT harder than sheets of Gyprock, so your saws, oscillating tools with cutting head (I prefer this one) can get the hole tidied up, and a piece to fit it cut to size. You'll probably use a hawk and series of trowels to apply adhesive and fill the gaps, but then the sander (complete with shop vac attached, trust me this is such an improvement over the block and sandpaper... with mess going everywhere) can get you a really professional finish. If you are geared up to paint your projects (brushes, rollers, etc) then finishing off the wall with a paint job becomes very easy. That said, painting just the patch will show up if there is any colour difference whatsoever.

Need a garden bed built?

Do you have a door that needs replacing/reattachment/locks replaced?

A chisel, hammer and a drill with hole saw attachment can do it, similarly, a jig and a router can too, and take some of the guesswork out.

Want to install/repair/modify an irrigation system in the garden?

This rarely needs anything more than a pipe cutter (although scissors can work too), a pair of pliers (for hose clamps, and jamming bits into hoses), and a hammer/drill for nailed/screwed hose clips/saddles. That said, I have a dedicated toolbox to store all the drippers, joiners, sprinkler heads, valves, washers, tap/hose connections, clamps, clips and saddles.

Perhaps you have a pergola that's got a rotten beam that needs replacing?

Depending on how it's constructed, replacing a bit of wood should prove pretty easy with hand tools. A shifting/adjustable spanner or two will help if it's bolted (or socket set... if you have one), but if it's nailed or screwed, then prying with a hammer/pry bar, or merely unscrewing it with a drill or screwdriver shouldn't be impossible. For everything else, a saw with a multi-material blade (wood/steel cutting for instance) should have no problem repairing or replacing the whole beam (after you've safely removed or supported any structure attached to the beam in question). Obviously, painting (and the gear to do that) will help to protect the wood once it has been repaired too.

So where will DIY take you? Well, that's often surprising, even to the individual when they "look back" on all they've done.

Every project is a journey, with new considerations, opportunities, and challenges. Once you start seeing repeated themes of joinery, tooling, methodology, you'll hopefully start wondering:

"How can I tackle that task safely, cost-effectively, and stop the problem getting worse, or better yet, solve the problem entirely?"

It's amazing what you might end up doing, and when trades people often cost hundreds of dollars, just to turn up, all of a sudden, a little effort with your existing tools, some YouTube videos, and perhaps a few consumables, or bits for the task, and you're set! Naturally, YouTube does not make you a qualified builder, electrician, or plumber, but you don't have to be to take simple tasks on. However, while this stuff doesn't make you a qualified "tradie" in the professional sense. A lot of people go on to pursue careers in the trades, based on the confidence they've gained through DIY experiences. Tradies are always in demand, but if you decide to do that.... can I ask one humble thing?

Just make sure you try to be the best tradie you can be. Shonky operators never do well in the long term. For the love of God, turn up when you say you will. If you're not sure, be honest about it, and say:

"Hey, I don't know exactly when I'll turn up on <insert day here>, but can I call you roughly an hour beforehand to tell you when I am heading your way?"

That way, your poor client can get stuff done without waiting all day for you to grace them with your presence. This goes a long way to building a solid reputation for consideration and reliability.

Now that I've gotten on my soap box.... I'll end there.

I've added a gallery of shots below, but I plan to add detailed build information for some of my projects in separate articles.

Enjoy & safe wood working!

Ham.

{unitegallery wood_projects}