Hey everyone! I'm in my late 30s and lately, I've been feeling nostalgic about shop class from high school. I'm diving into woodworking and have a few questions on my mind. First, is it okay to use dimensional SPF lumber for my beginner projects? I've seen some videos where people use routers for clean edges, but I worry about kickbacks if the wood is crowned or warped. This led me to wonder about planers, which seem a bit pricier. I've got basic tools, including a chop saw (which I bought before a table saw—oops!), and I'm trying to keep my spending in check since this hobby can get expensive really fast. Also, at the lumber yards I go to, I usually order at the front and then head to the back to pick up wood. Do I get to choose my boards like at Home Depot, or am I just getting whatever they pick for me? I'm sure there are more questions, but these are what I'm currently wrestling with. I'd also love to hear any tips you might have if you could go back to when you first started.
2 Answers
Absolutely, dimensional lumber is a solid choice for beginners! It’s affordable and forgiving, letting you make mistakes without breaking the bank. As for your Adirondack chair, that's a great first project! Just keep the wood's condition in mind; warped wood can be tricky, especially with routers. Once you get comfortable, you might want to explore planers, but start simple and enjoy the process!
Back in the day, I worked mostly with hand tools for woodworking, and I built some amazing pieces! While power tools are helpful, you can still create wonderful things with just hand tools. Also, when looking for wood, definitely search for suppliers that let you pick your own boards. It can save you money and you might find some real gems!
Thanks! I’ll look for some local mills that might let me pick the wood!
Thanks! I’m really looking forward to making that chair!