New to Woodworking

[J_Schloss]

Hi everyone! I am have been woodworking for a little over a year and just can’t get enough. Usually, I hyper focus on a topic and learn as much as I can and move on, but this is much different. I have a small cobbled together shop that I picked up on craigslist and Facebook marketplace. Working in my shop is the place where I can recharge.
Right now I’m making a computer desk for my son, raised planter boxes for my wife and a mini dining table for my two youngest. If I had more time, I would learn how to use hand tools. It is only something I do occasionally. Maybe after retirement

 

[Eric Rorabaugh]

Welcome from Virginia

 

[Tony]

Justin, Welcome from South Texas!

 

[SENC]

Welcome from NC!

 

[JonathanH]

Justin, Welcome from North Texas!

 

[phinds]

Sounds great. Welcome from NY.

 

[woodtickgreg]

WELCOME! From Michigan.

 

[Nature Man]

Welcome from Bulverde, Texas! Would love to see some of your woodworking projects! Chuck

 

[T. Ben]

Welcome from Minnesota.

 

[Mike Hill]

Welcome from Middle Tennessee. Going to hand tools, is something I'm inching my way toward. Problem for me is that I don't know anyone who is into hand tools to better learn sharpening all things hand tool, and how to true them up. Carving tools, there is somewhat of a carving club, that I could learn from, but they meet at a very inopportune time for me.

 

[SENC]

Problem for me is that I don't know anyone who is into hand tools to better learn sharpening all things hand tool, and how to true them up.

https://www.theenglishwoodworker.com/ is as useful for planes and chisels as any I've seen. The downside for you in getting proficient at sharpening tools is that you eliminate an excuse. You might actually have to do something rather than hoard!

 

[Mike Hill]

You've got a valid point! I can sharpen and have more than I could ever need to use to sharpen, except a Burke system or waterstones. I've got a Tormex, a Work Sharp 3000, a cheap horizontal wheel sharpening machine, a 2x72 Knife grinder with all grades of belts, all kinds of honing guides, a faceting machine I've used as a sharpener once, low RPM grinder, a Lansky system, one of them big Lansky-type system, diamond plates, ceramic plates, quachita stones (got from Ark. while on my honeymoon), flat plates and paper, etc...... But I never seem to be satisfied with my sharpening. Never seems to be what I need at the time I need it consistently. I know main problem is lack of practice! Also need to learn how to properly strop or touchup to reduce the number of sharpenings I need. How to truly tune a tool up. I don't know all that much about planes - yet! I see these videos of these guys in competition with planes and they are obtaining transparent shavings that are 6" wide and 10' long. Amazing. I know it takes practice, but also need to know how. All in all, I have too many options and would like to simplify my sharpening life! I would like to study or get hands on advice. I can get it from Vic Hood with carving, but the rest, I currently do not know anybody. Everything at our Woodcraft is about power and CNC. Although a few years ago, they had a guru with planes visiting and did some classes - but that was way before I wanted to learn about them. And learn how to sharpen a saw!!!

 

[Nature Man]

One of my debates when it comes to sharpening is how much time do I want to invest in sharpening vs actually using the tools. I personally don’t have an abundance of sharpening devices, which means I probably work with dull tools more than not. This most likely translates to ineffectiveness in cutting, shaping, etc. My productivity could be enhanced with sharper tools, so I should probably put more emphasis on sharpening! Chuck

 

[Arn213]

One of my debates when it comes to sharpening is how much time do I want to invest in sharpening vs actually using the tools. I personally don’t have an abundance of sharpening devices, which means I probably work with dull tools more than not. This most likely translates to ineffectiveness in cutting, shaping, etc. My productivity could be enhanced with sharper tools, so I should probably put more emphasis on sharpening! Chuck

You will all debate this on how long does your blade stay's sharp especially when working with dense wood or what type of steel is better. I can say by experience and the reason I switched to Japanese hand forged steel is the ability for the blade to keep a sharp edge- as far as chisels and hand planes.

 

[JonathanH]

You've got a valid point! I can sharpen and have more than I could ever need to use to sharpen, except a Burke system or waterstones. I've got a Tormex, a Work Sharp 3000, a cheap horizontal wheel sharpening machine, a 2x72 Knife grinder with all grades of belts, all kinds of honing guides, a faceting machine I've used as a sharpener once, low RPM grinder, a Lansky system, one of them big Lansky-type system, diamond plates, ceramic plates, quachita stones (got from Ark. while on my honeymoon), flat plates and paper, etc...... But I never seem to be satisfied with my sharpening. Never seems to be what I need at the time I need it consistently. I know main problem is lack of practice! Also need to learn how to properly strop or touchup to reduce the number of sharpenings I need. How to truly tune a tool up. I don't know all that much about planes - yet! I see these videos of these guys in competition with planes and they are obtaining transparent shavings that are 6" wide and 10' long. Amazing. I know it takes practice, but also need to know how. All in all, I have too many options and would like to simplify my sharpening life! I would like to study or get hands on advice. I can get it from Vic Hood with carving, but the rest, I currently do not know anybody. Everything at our Woodcraft is about power and CNC. Although a few years ago, they had a guru with planes visiting and did some classes - but that was way before I wanted to learn about them. And learn how to sharpen a saw!!!

So I think what you said is that you have no more excuses to move into the hand tool world. You have the tools and the means to sharpen them. Settle in on a systematic way to use them to good effectiveness and you are there.

 

[SENC]

I have too many options

This is your problem.

Check out the English woodworker - pony up for his series on sharpening. Dead simple. Forget the fancy planes and steel that require tormeks and waterstones. Stick with O1 steel that sharpens easily. Get a simple sharpening guide or learn freehand. Routine resharpening and touching up take little to no time. An oilstone and strop are all you need. Ideally a diamond plate for major rehab.

This is all fairly new for me, too... just started messing with it in the recent past. But it's been very useful having sharp and useful chisels and a plane for my boat project. I see a new workbench in my future (post-boat) and more and more handwork.

 

[Mike Hill]

Ok, on your word of honor as a brisket ea..........errr..........wait.......can I trust a pork eater - guess I'll have to. It looks to be along the lines of simplifying and that is what I want.

 

[Arn213]

This is your problem.

Check out the English woodworker - pony up for his series on sharpening. Dead simple. Forget the fancy planes and steel that require tormeks and waterstones. Stick with O1 steel that sharpens easily. Get a simple sharpening guide or learn freehand. Routine resharpening and touching up take little to no time. An oilstone and strop are all you need. Ideally a diamond plate for major rehab.

This is all fairly new for me, too... just started messing with it in the recent past. But it's been very useful having sharp and useful chisels and a plane for my boat project. I see a new workbench in my future (post-boat) and more and more handwork.

“The Bride” says she will see your 01 steel to her Tamahagane Steel- the yellow jumpsuit is optional. I don’t know what outfit Henry wears when it comes to a throw down. Whatever fashionable ensemble you are wearing probably has a graphic that says, “My brisket can be sliced super thin like deli cuts using my 01”.

 

[SENC]

“The Bride” says she will see your 01 steel to her Tamahagane Steel- the yellow jumpsuit is optional. I don’t know what outfit Henry wears when it comes to a throw down. Whatever fashionable ensemble you are wearing probably has a graphic that says, “My brisket can be sliced super thin like deli cuts using my 01”.

View attachment 271496

You mistake me for the Tennesseean. We chop and pull (pork) - no slicing.

 

[Tclem]

Don’t do it. Stop now. Sell all of your wood and tools and just fish