Hey everyone! I'm relatively new to this forum and I've been really inspired by all the amazing work I've seen here. I've done a bit of woodworking in the past — mostly building simple items like boxes and a potting bench for my garden. Now that I'm getting more serious about woodworking, I want to elevate my skills to create pieces that are nice enough for my living room rather than just functional items for the backyard. I feel my main challenge is mastering precision in my work and acquiring the right finishing techniques. I'd love some advice on two key things: **What tools should I invest in next?** I have a decent collection of hand tools and power tools, but I'm considering adding a router, a planer, and maybe a small band saw to my shop. **What techniques should I focus on practicing?** I'm really interested in improving my joinery skills as well as learning about finishing techniques that can enhance my projects. Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
If possible, try taking a short course with a cabinet maker. Precision is as much about mindset as it is about tools. You can make great projects even with modest tools if you really refine your skills and focus on detail.
Learning joinery is crucial! Consider picking up a book on different joinery methods and practice them. Mastering the basics can be done using either hand tools or power tools. And when it comes to staining and finishing, prep work is everything. Look for traditional methods and avoid the overly marketed products that might not live up to their promises.
To get started, I suggest you focus on building more boxes! The more you practice different techniques, the better you'll get. As for tools, it's really about what fits your needs. I've collected tools over time as I needed them, so just get what you feel will help you with your projects.
I totally agree! I found a great book that covers joinery techniques, and it really helped me out. Here's a look: https://preview.redd.it/pdir4ovo0ljf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ba237c05c1ea69031e34fc30239fef3c82b4e63d