For The Woodworker – Cut Not Bored
The Craft of The Messiah
Surely woodworking is one of the oldest of skills, dating back many thousands of years. It is a trade that requires knowledge of the various types of wood, the alternative tools to suit the purpose, the techniques and a practised skill. Take something as simple as cutting a piece of timber. What saw would you choose and why?
Cutting Secrets
Will it matter if you cut with the grain or across the grain in the timber? What if there are knots in the timber? How do you cleanly cut close to a corner or fine edge, without breaking and damage? How should you hold the saw? Do you keep your index finger pointed along the saw handle to guide the cut, and is the cut with the forward movement of the saw or the return movement? With close attention you can even feel the effectiveness of the cut. Remember to let the saw do the cutting, do not struggle to take over from the natural effectiveness of the saw. Woodworking and carpentry are trades that look too easy, and in some ways they can be attempted by almost anyone so inclined, but never overlook the professional skill and experience. If you do not have these now, getting started will put you on the track to develop the skills and to enjoy the accomplishments.
Thousand Year Old Timbers
Very broadly speaking there are three types of timber softwood, hardwood and composite timbers like pine-board and plywoods. Hardwoods such as oak, mahogany and walnut would usually be used for the show parts of home made furniture, while the softwoods or composite timbers will be used for the under-surfaces. Of course it becomes a work of greater quality if more expensive timbers and harder to work timbers are used in the whole throughout a piece of furniture. You need look no further than the wonderful pieces of antique furnishing, some with their very clever concealed drawers and surprise fold out pieces constructed by the master craftsmen of centuries past.It is self-evident that these craftsmen produced incredible works without all the advantages of the modern power tools so prolific to-day. However, the trade-off is considerable patience, attention to the task and as stated earlier a well-rehearsed skill.
Different Joints Connect
In the plan of construction you can opt for a number of different joints such as a simple halved joint, or you may elect to connect with pieces of doweling, or perhaps a grooved type of connection, which can include the lovely dovetailed joint. Again, start by looking at examples in furnishings in stores or at market places. But it is then a next step to look at the clever ways in which you can accomplish the same. There are excellent carpentry and woodworking books available, and some excellent woodworker magazines. Perhaps you would be interested in joining
a local club, where retired and experienced people just love to share their skills. This may be a wood-turning group or a ‘men’s shed’, not overlooking the fact that many women are quite adept at woodwork.
Acquire Tools And Build A Kit As You Go
You can of course start with a limited set of tools that will include a suitable vice to secure the wood you are working on, a few suitable saws, chisels, drills and a plane as a minimum. Sometimes old tools with suitably sharpened blade or teeth will be as good as new tools. If you do not have the experience it is suggested you ask a suitably experienced friend to assist you in the selection and with the purchase. Bear in mind that the cost of labour to sharpen a saw may cost more than the purchase of a new carbide-tipped saw, such that even experienced craftsmen will just buy a new replacement instead of sharpening the old. Not necessarily the best solution for the environment.
First Woodwork Projects
As a first project at school, perhaps 7 years of age we made a toy train engine, simple with a base board and a round short log for the steam boiler, a few pieces of ply wood enabled construction of the driver’s cabin. Two short pieces of timber provided axles under the base board and round pieces of timber provided the wheels. Such a simple project when suitably put together with glue and brightly painted can be a wonderful first project for the starter. Just remember that if it is for a child it needs to be safe, not something they can choke on or be injured with such as nails and screws. Just imagine the joy lighting up in a child’s eyes as they see this bright red and yellow wooden engine.
For those more advanced you may want to construct a cuckoo clock or similar challenging project that suits your interest and requirements. There is no lid on possibilities and you can be inventive and stretch the boundaries, provided you have the will to see the project through to conclusion. For another, it may be a plywood canoe or similar more challenging task.
Experience the skill of a craftsman, enjoy the smell of the different woods and take every opportunity to share your progress with experienced woodworkers who will almost certainly be just too happy to give you tips and share their knowledge. Join the club!
About the author: Ronald Heron has worked with wood over many years and has a trade background.
Site: www.friendsofwoody.com
