Need a project, but the shops not finished...
Well I'm still putting my garage shop together.
I want to start a project. I'd consider myself only slightly more than a beginner being that I work with most of these tools in a non-woodworking fashion.
So I want a good beginner project.
As far as the wood shop tools this is what I've got to work with.
Right now I have a table saw, compound miter saw, router, hand plane, hand sanders and a drill press & a handful of clamps.
My goal is a cabinet project but I need a few smaller projects before I tackle the big one.
Any good ideas. I was considering a night stand but any other ideas would be fun.
This will also help me (I think) see what other tools I need.
I want to start a project. I'd consider myself only slightly more than a beginner being that I work with most of these tools in a non-woodworking fashion.
So I want a good beginner project.
As far as the wood shop tools this is what I've got to work with.
Right now I have a table saw, compound miter saw, router, hand plane, hand sanders and a drill press & a handful of clamps.
My goal is a cabinet project but I need a few smaller projects before I tackle the big one.
Any good ideas. I was considering a night stand but any other ideas would be fun.
This will also help me (I think) see what other tools I need.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by james moreland on -
Hey Michael, I would start with something for the shop.Do you need some cabinets? or a table?You say your just getting your shop in order,why not build a custom shop item.Great for practicing your skill set.challenge yourself and it will pay off in the long run.Best of luck.
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Permalink Reply by Paul-Marcel St-Onge on -
I'd definitely second James' idea. You said you wanted to build a cabinet, so draw out what you'd like for the house (approximately). Then see what you'd need in the shop and modify the cabinet idea for the shop. I have things I made in the shop that were just to use a new tool to get through it's learning curve. Doesn't have to be all exotic woods, just common woods.
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Permalink Reply by Russ on
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I'd say the same thing--build something for the shop. In fact, I'll go a step further and suggest that you build an outfeed table for your table saw. If you don't have one already, you absolutely need one for safety.
One of Marc's videos shows how to make a simple one that will get the job done. However, unless you just have tons of room in your shop, I think it makes sense to build a multi-function outfeed table that lets you use the space for more than one thing. One idea is to include some shelves and/or drawers for storage. Another is to set it up as a router table. (That's what I did.)
Have fun!
-- Russ
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Permalink Reply by Mark Anderson on -
I'd Third Jame's suggestion. Even after doing this for a bit I when I pick a project to do let’s say a bookshelf or cabinet, I usually do a shop project at the same time using the same type of joinery and/or techniques, especially if I haven't used that skill in a while or if its new. I find it helps with costs/mistakes and the dreariness of "practicing". For some strange reason I also find that it makes the project go faster doing two at a time.
If your into cabinet making, some small caddies, a tool chest with some drawers would be great little projects.
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Permalink Reply by David Hostetler on -
If you had a jig saw, and router, I would say a cutting board is an excellent first project. Makes good Christmas presents too!
The ideas above for making something for the shop are spot on too. You can hide your goofs in the shop before you expose your work to the whole world, or at least your girlfriend / wife...
A proper workbench is an EXCELLENT project. You say you have a table saw. Build your bench 1/16" to 1/8" shy of your table saw table height to act as an outfeed support for your table saw.
Fine Woodworking has a GREAT video / instruction set on building a good, sturdy workbench on the cheap. The practice is priceless, and using construction grade lumber you don't have to worry too much if you mess up. I based my work bench on this video / plan and am very happy with it.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Greenwood on -
Well the bench is going to be the first project.
I just "upgraded" my old saw for a newer old saw.
I had a direct drive, 2.5 horse power 10" saw with the extensions, a real contractor type deal with a ruff table and a really cheap fence.
Now I have a newer old craftsman, 3 horse belt driver 10" with a cast iron top and a xr2412 fence. So I'm going to set it level and align the top.
So I've decided that I'm going to build a long bench.
It will serve as the out feed table (thanks for the suggestions). I'm gonna throw my compressor on it for storage and I have a retractable air hose real. I hope that in the future a drop in router plate can be installed....
Should be fun, I'll post pics.
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Permalink Reply by Marc on -
A shop project is indeed a great start. But I also like your original thought about the nightstand. My first "real" project was a nightstand. I followed a plan and was very pleased with the results. I got to practice working with ply, making rabbets, gluing boards together to make the top, sizing and assembling a drawer.... Lots of good foundation techniques in a project like that.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Anderson on
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You might find this interesting
http://christophermerrill.net/ww/plans/UTS/Tool_Stand_1.html
I built this a few years ago...it's actually quiet good and versitale. I didn't do the router table but i have a my bosch chop saw and air compressor with a hose inside. I also use it as my out feed table.
Michael Greenwood said:Well the bench is going to be the first project.
I just "upgraded" my old saw for a newer old saw.
I had a direct drive, 2.5 horse power 10" saw with the extensions, a real contractor type deal with a ruff table and a really cheap fence.
Now I have a newer old craftsman, 3 horse belt driver 10" with a cast iron top and a xr2412 fence. So I'm going to set it level and align the top.
So I've decided that I'm going to build a long bench.
It will serve as the out feed table (thanks for the suggestions). I'm gonna throw my compressor on it for storage and I have a retractable air hose real. I hope that in the future a drop in router plate can be installed....
Should be fun, I'll post pics.
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Permalink Reply by jdog on -
I built the schwarz holtzapffel workbench with just a tablesaw and handplanes. I am 14. your "unfinished" shop sounds like paradise to me. I will be getting a planer and jointer before the year is done and for christmas i will have a subpanel installed and 230 wired for the planer and jointer. (After all, whats santa for, right)
jdog
oh ya the bench would look ten times better if i could have used a planer and jointer.
good luck
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Permalink Reply by Aggie83 on -
Yeah, well. Look how you turned out.
Marc said:A shop project is indeed a great start. But I also like your original thought about the nightstand. My first "real" project was a nightstand. I followed a plan and was very pleased with the results. I got to practice working with ply, making rabbets, gluing boards together to make the top, sizing and assembling a drawer.... Lots of good foundation techniques in a project like that.
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Permalink Reply by David Hostetler on
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Michael Greenwood said:
... I hope that in the future a drop in router plate can be installed....
You might want to put that router plate in an extension wing to the table saw so you can get double use from the fence... Just build a clamp on router fence assembly that rides on the rip fence... One of my shop projects in progress is a table saw extension wing with router insert. The extension table is done except for the router insert. (Need to get the one I want from Rockler, LOML is hinting that Santa may bring it...) After that, I am going to redo the fence faces as I want it centered instead of off to the left side like the Ryobi OEM setup...
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Permalink Reply by Michael Greenwood on
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I like the double fence Idea.
I'm drawing it out as we speak.
The problem I'm having now is $$ :) We just moved and I've been spending like it's going out of style!
Thank goodness for the side job!
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