In my never-ending search for interesting stuff, projects to do, that sort of thing – I’ve spent a decent amount of time perusing woodworking-related youtube channels, various websites and maker manuals.
My fascination with woodworking is really part of a larger fascination with all sorts of craftsmanship and DIY, but there’s something so civilized and elegant about handcrafted wooden furniture and decorative objects. Wood as a material was once alive, and all the imperfections along its grain makes it unique, and I think it tells a story of how that tree grew.
I think my fascination with this stems back to watching my grandfather milling lumber in his yard when I was little. Then fast forward a few years, we had shop class at school, which I liked the idea of but never really got the hang of it. The materials weren’t great, and the tools had seen decades of use by kids who didn’t really know what they were doing. Obviously it was all hand-tools as well. Ever tried making a piece of furniture using only pine, plywood and a dull hand saw? Those years really put a damper on my interest in woodworking, but years later, my interest is back – mainly thanks to this guy right here:
Entry level woodworker?
I’ve often considered getting into woodworking as a hobby, but I lack a convenient space to work in. Not enough room to store tools or projects, and of course, it’s an expensive hobby to get into.
Still – as youtuber Steve Ramsey from Woodworking for Mere Mortals explains, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a monstrous investment to get started.
Getting started
I therefore have begun procuring some essential tools to start taking up this hobby. Nothing big and fancy. So far I’ve bought a jigsaw, drill and impact driver kit, and a sander. I’ll invest in a table saw a bit later, after I’ve made something with what equipment I currently have.
To start with I think I’ll make a pizza paddle, a phone stand, and a shelf narrow enough to fit in the gap between the closet and the wall, so I can free up some floor space to allow our vacuuming bot affectionately nicknamed “mom” access to a greater surface area.