I've enjoyed woodworking, since I was a little boy sitting on our basement steps tacking a couple of boards together. Sometimes there was an end result in mind, but most of the time my brothers and I just thought it was fun to saw and hammer wood. I've always wanted to have my own wood shop and even though I've been married and have lived in my own house for over five years, I just haven't done it. Of course, I have been a little preoccupied with being married, and having two little boys, 2-1/2 years and 7 months old.
My wife, Janel, has wanted a new bed pretty much since we've been married. Our current one uses a metal frame only and doesn't have a head board or foot board. Recently we discussed getting a new bedroom set, but I refuse to buy cheap foreign made bed from the really big box store in town. Last year we looked at the furniture store Simply Amish just out of curiosity. The furniture is all locally hand crafted, very high quality, and beautiful. Also, despite the name, they offer many modern designs. The only downside is that the price matches the high level of quality $$$$$.
I half jokingly suggested to Janel that I would just have to build a bed myself. To my surprise she said that maybe I should, but I don't think she realized what she was getting into. I started researching table saws, which is the foundation of every wood shop. The more I read, I realized that I would have spend a decent amount of money to get a quality table saw. It looked like a good used one would run from $500 to $1,000. Of course, I probably could have done just fine with a used contractor's table saw that would cost from $100 to $200.
Sometime during my research on table saws I came to a realization. When the heck was I going to have time to use any power tools? I usually have a three hour period about once a month when Janel is off with the kids and I have the house to myself. Other than that, I'm either watching the kids or they're napping, and no way could I operate a power tool then. This realization got me dreaming about moving to the county where I could construct a stand alone shop and would be able to fire up noisy tools whenever I wanted. The idea of moving to the country is the subject for another blog and isn't going to happen anytime soon.
I was starting to feel that my woodworking aspirations would have to wait until the kids were older. Of course that would mean no more naps. And, Saturday and Sunday nap-time is my time to get stuff done. Maybe in another 18 years when the kids are out of the house I could have a wood shop.
It was about this time that I was searching for woodworking books on the Mid-Continent Public library's online catalog and came across a book by Tom Fidgen called, "Made by Hand". It sounded interesting, so I picked it up. It turned out to be great book and really opened my eyes to what was possible with hand tools. The book is really a beginners guide to hand tools. It discusses the basic tools needed for a hand tool shop and how to use them. It then has a step by step description on building several project by hand. Most importantly this book has convinced me that it's possible to build high quality furniture by hand and in a reasonable amount of time and effort.
Now I had the motivation I needed to move forward. I could purchase all the hand tools I needed for a fraction of the price of a couple power tools and without all the noise, I would be able to work when the kids were napping and after they'd gone to bed at night. With the feeling that I'm about to start something that could continue for awhile, I've decided that I might as well record my adventure. And in true 21st century exhibitionism I should share this with the whole freaking world. And so begins my woodworking blog.
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