A Note From the Shop

While the idea of writing a blog is hardly new (in fact there are probably millions of them out there clamoring for your attention) the idea of creating a woodworking blog of my own was born from the fact that like most people who are passionate about an interest, I want to talk about it. Like every woodworker I’ve come across, I like to talk about my shop, talk about the tools I use, the techniques by which I use them, and things that I’ve made and plan to make in the future. If you’re reading this you’re probably a woodworker too, so Welcome! I look forward to sharing my interest with you and learning from your experiences. If you’re not already a woodworker maybe you are someone who is interested in becoming one. If that’s you let me say that if you have a creative desire and a passion for making things with your hands, woodworking will give you not just an opportunity to fashion unique furnishings and accessories for the homes of your family and friends, but it will also give you the opportunity to experience the pride and satisfaction that comes from taking an unformed piece of material and turning it into a beautiful object of your own design. For many of us that satisfaction comes in different ways. Some woodworkers enjoy the intricacies of the design process, for others it can be the legacy in fine furniture, toys, and gifts lovingly made for family and children, and for some the satisfaction can simply be the opportunity to escape the stresses of the day by spending time in the shop. Whatever your reason may be, once you set up shop and your skills grow, you’ll find that woodworking can be much more than a simple; rewarding hobby with which to fill your spare time, in fact, you may discover that what was once a hobby has now become a passion to create things that make your life easier, more beautiful, or more enjoyable than ever before.
For all of us, the more comfortable we become in our abilities the more likely we are to use them and enjoy them and so this initial series of posts will be designed to help you get started and to increase your woodworking knowledge and abilities and hopefully increase the enjoyment you’ll have along the way. In this first series of articles we will discuss building your own shop and show how you can begin to set up and furnish a comfortable and successful place to work. In future articles we will discuss project design, materials, machining stock, joinery, assembling, finishing, tools and much more. While all of these articles will strive to be as comprehensive as possible, woodworking, like any craft, offers you an almost unlimited world of choices, so learn all you can, experiment, and discover what works best for you. And remember: be safe, use good judgment but most of all, ENJOY IT!