Woodworking for dummies? lol How do you learn?

[orachel]

Ok, so I've recently found the wonderful world of wood mods, and i am just fascinated by them. I'm also a pretty artsy craftsy person, and am really good at detail work, typically. That and a crazy imagination are two of my strengths, and I don't have all that many. rofl I've also got LOTS of time on my hands since I'm disabled, and don't mind tinkering with something for a few hours a day for a month or more, if I end up with something pretty at the end of it.

So my question is this... how do you learn intro to woodworking? Obviously I don't have a gigged up workshop or any tools or anything. I've been looking at some super inexpensive lathes, but before I'd even begin to consider investing in something like that, even for a cheapo $200 model (which would be a big investment at my budget), I'd want to try some SUPER basics, just to see if I have any feel for it. Anyone have any good suggestions, from video tuts to books, on how to get into basic woodworking, and get the general feel for tools and such, and what they do? Is there any kind of a 'starter kit' even designed for older kids that gives a few basic hand tools and some simple instruction? Is it possible to even carve something totally by hand, or do you really need all the high end tools to do the basics? As you can see, I know almost nothing about the subject, but I'm willing to learn from the very ground up, and don't mind doing major research and putting in many many hours to practice the craft. I just figured you modders would be an excellent group to ask for a good starting point, since so many of you are such talented wood artisans.

Any suggestions would be highly appreciated. I'm fascinated by blowing glass, also, but that involves incredibly expensive ovens materials etc to even get started, plus would be a real challenge for me physically. Woodworking, on the other hand, really sounds ideal... esp the detailed hand work. Thanks so much for the help!

rachel

 

[pumasforpets]

If you were to make panel type box mods, you would only need some pretty basic tools. Table saw would be vital unless you can get the wood cut the way you need for you. Tongue and groove would allow you to piece it together nicely. Drill press for making button and connector holes. Once you get the box itself roughed out, you could carve it any way you like

 

[orachel]

Yeah, the problem is I don't have those basics, so its a rather pricey proposition to get started. What I gravitate toward more are the more handcarved ones. I'm sure they're using elaborate tools to shape and finish, but they're not just square boxes. As a matter of fact, I'm getting a gorgeous wood 14500 box from Ha-y-n (aka Chosen_1), this is him...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-forum/285274-ha-y-n-styled-wood-mods-14.html
Listening to him talk about working with wood is the main thing that's sparked my interest, and he's doing all these gorgeous carvings and really amazing unique stuff. Plus, with his skill, anything he makes in terms of a simple box mod done in wood is going to be lightyears ahead of anything I could ever dream of, in terms of a box. Plus, prices are low enough that I probably couldn't make one as cheap, assuming I'd have to pay to get all the cuts done for me, and I guess that sorta defeats the purpose! rofl But I'd be hundreds of dollars in on basic saws and such before I could even get the pieces cut and shaped, myself, and that's just not feasible for me.

I guess what i should have said I wanted to play with, rather than wood working, is more artistic wood carving. I found a few books that have good reviews and say they are for absolute beginners, and I can get a 20lb box of wood blanks in various sizes to practice on pretty cheap. I figure all I'll need is a set of some decent hand tools, some finishing pads, and some safety gear in order to just stick my toe in and experiment a little.

Funny thing is, a few years ago I was married, and my ex had a fantastic collection of tools that would come in ever so handy now. rofl But he's gone, and so are the tools. I don't even have the super basics like table saw and drill press. I'm open to getting some refurbished tools eventually, assuming I have flare for it, and I really love the stuff that's being done with a scroll saw, which seems from my very first glances to be cheaper than a lathe. But just to see if I have any true love for the craft, I'd like to start with hand work, because the stuff you need seems decidedly cheaper and simpler to get rolling. Plus, you can really express yourself creatively with carving. Boy, I wish I'd had a dad around who was into these sorts of things growing up! lol Definitely seems like a craft you want to have someone teaching you. But I'm excited to try my hand with some book instruction, and some cheap hand tools and a lot of patience and wood to screw up on! rofl

 

[pumasforpets]

Alright, I'm more of a tools and logistics guy than I am into art...so someone else might point in the right direction for learning to carve.

But I can definitely work with you on tools even if what you need is simple and cheap

You can do your cuts with a miter box and a hand saw.

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/tools-...sky-pro/4-in-phillips-screwdriver-114732.html

While you're at the hardware store, find an associate in the lumber section, tell them what you're doing and have them show you some wood that is already cut to an appropriate thickness. Get some sandpaper to smooth out the rough cuts. I suppose a sanding block would help lower hand fatigue.

You will need some sort of drill. Cordless would be up to the task and you could use it around the house as well.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...d=10053&langId=-1&keyword=drill&storeId=10051

You'll need bits that are the appropriate size for the hardware you install. They are not too expensive, but don't skimp too much on them. You want quality. Again, talk to someone about the best fit for the task. You'll also need some clamps with rubber pads to keep the work stable.

To start, you would probably be best suited with some wood glue and finishing nails. If you don't have one, a small hammer. The hammer also helps if you would like to try to chisel the wood for carving.

You will need to go to radio shack for wire, battery springs and buttons. MadVapes has pre-wired 510 connectors if you like since they are hard to solder.

Oh, a cheap soldering iron, solder and a wet sponge.


That should about do it to start and come in under $200 total. Hope that helps at least a little

 

[orachel]

Wow, that actually was really helpful, actually. I'm interested in starting with learning basic carving, but obviously eventually I'd like to turn the carving stuff into being able to decorate my pvs, so you just gave me the barebones of what I'll need to attempt that on my own. Thank you!

 

[pumasforpets]

Wow, that actually was really helpful, actually. I'm interested in starting with learning basic carving, but obviously eventually I'd like to turn the carving stuff into being able to decorate my pvs, so you just gave me the barebones of what I'll need to attempt that on my own. Thank you!

Glad to help I'm originally from Mesa. My grandparents lived a mile down University from the Albertsons

Beginner wood carving tools and woodcarving sets for Basic and Detail carvings.

Maybe that will at least get you started on the cheap I'll see if I can find some instructional videos.

 

[orachel]

Ooh, that's a great set! Boy, you are a FONT of information! lol I lived right by university, just a few streets off, but we just moved to Glendale/Phoenix/Peoria junction. I love the weather, but I'm dying for some gorgeous architecture and mature leafy trees! lol I've grown up all over, but most often ohio/pa/southern california, so the dessert is new.

BTW, I was reading a few online intro to carving things, and it says most people don't use hand tools anymore, but use a dremel/rotary tool with a bunch of fittings/bits for carving and sanding. I think I can shwangle one of those into my budget, plus they're SUPER handy for every darn thing. Do you know if that's true, though? Most carvers these days use electric tools? That surprised me. I've used dremels before for other things... never occurred to me theyd be handy for carving, though! I'm gonna ask brad, aka Chosen_1 of Hayn mods what he suggests for a beginner, but wondered if you or anyone else here had an opinion. Only reason I'm leaning toward dremel (of course would need hand tools, also, for precision) is cause I have a pain condition which doesn't leave me with a whole heck of a lot of strength in my hands. So something where I'm using my force to gouge, for hours on end, would definitely affect me, whereas a tool using speed would take a lot less force.

 

[pumasforpets]

I don't have a real educated opinion on that...but what I would think is that, unless you're looking at some very specialized tools, a dremel might be too imprecise. Perhaps it would work well for roughing out shapes and then you could detail them by hand. You'd also have to find out what types of bits work well at what speed on what wood. I could see a big ole splinter of pine flying off a piece if you were using a rough bit at a high rpm.

It definitely sounds like a better option though to get around the pain.

Maybe something like this? http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2003853/9681/Power-Carving-Kit.aspx

It has both rotary and reciprocating (grinding and chiseling) attachments, a few different bits and a flexible extender which would take the weight of the device out of your hands.

Also, a little bonus. Since you'll need a soldering iron to wire electronics in your work anyway, it can be used for some burning. If you made devices, you could burn a signature mark of sorts into the wood

 

[Str8V8ping]

One of the best tools you could get is a router and eventually a lathe/mill

 

[Pappy]

There is a Woodcraft store in Chandler. I think your best bet would be to visit them and tell them what you're wanting to do and let them suggest a tool set for you. They also sell wood in various sizes. Here's a link to their website: http://www.woodcraft.com/stores/store.aspx?id=563

I think you could buy wood sized close enough to your required size that you probably wouldn't even need a table saw. A band saw could be incredibly handy though. And a small drill press. A japanese hand saw or two (they are incredibly sharp) could probably handle a lot of the dimensional cutting you would need to do. And a sander of some sort and some small hand planes would be handy.

Please understand, though, that while a pro can use just about any tool and make it work, an amateur really needs better quality tools. Nothing is as frustrating as trying to use tools that just aren't up to the task. Conversely, few things are as satisfying as using a well crafted precision hand tool. There's an old saying that every time you use a cheap inadequate tool you will remember how much money you saved when you bought it.

Best of luck to you on this quest. Creating objects from wood is very satisfying. I used to turn bowls and hollow vessels on a lathe and build furniture as a hobby. I still have all the tools; I just don't have the time any more.

 

[orachel]

Oh wow... so cool to have a local connection! Thank you!!! Seriously helpful. I haven't gotten much further along with this idea than the planning stage just cause of cost, but I'm with you on the buying quality tools part. lol Lewis Gentry, who makes these GORGEOUS wood mods for Discount Vapers gave me a hookup to a chart thing that shows just what kind of steel/steel blends stay sharpest and last the longest. So helpful, as I had no idea. Also hooked me up with a link to the best tool sharpening set. He convinced me that cheaping out on the tools is much much costly, even in the short run. lol

I've been keeping an eye on local craigslist to hopefully get lucky on some larger tools... I figure surely people who used to do it, or as a result of divorce or moving or just upgrading to a better model occasionally get rid of those larger saws. I keep hoping I'll get lucky. lol Anyway, thanks so much for the advice. A few of those tools I've never even heard of, so off to check those out right now. Really appreciate the benefit of your experience!

 

[Pappy]

Ha, I completely forgot about sharpening! That's kinda important, LOL. A couple of japanese waterstones can handle most sharpening. I broke down and bought a Tormek, which is a slow speed sharpening wheel with a water bath and a leather strop wheel too. It's a great tool, but expensive.

Again, best of luck. I'm a newb at vaping, so I don't hang out on this APV forum much, but feel free to PM me if you have any questions or if I can help.

 

[orachel]

lol... then I might be able to return the favor. I set up a thread a few weeks ago just for newbies. Originally it was designed for people who jumped into a variable voltage device a little soon, so were scratching their heads. But since then, people drop in to ask all manner of vaping questions. And unlike the rest of ecf, its all in one thread. So if you have an issue using the atty on your ego, for instance, and can't figure out what you're doing wrong... rather than hunting up the atty forum, and posting and waiting, you can just drop into one thread and get a quick answer. Myself and a number of other vapers, all with multiple years vaping under our belts, are helping as best we can. So if you're debating between two types of cartos, or aren't sure which battery is best... whatever, you can always drop in and get an answer pretty darn quickly. lol Here's the thread....

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ccessories-them-post-your-questions-here.html

Of course there is a fabulous newbie forum here, but I remember a few years ago that it got a little confusing in there for me, with all the threads... this is just designed for quick and easy. lol

 

[BacsiBob]

I am a serious woodworker and I am often up to my elbows on scraps. For the price of a USPS flat rate box, I'll send you just about any domestic hardwood you might want.

Woodworking is like vaping.....thousands of tools/techniques/opinions. I learn something new here every day and I learn something new about working with wood every day.

I will suggest you check out the hand tool forum at woodnet.net. We call those folks neanderthals but they are, in fact, true craftspeople. I am living proof that anybody can do it with power tools

 

[orachel]

Lol you're in Bethel! I was born in youngstown, but lived all over Ohio. Just moved to Az from Toledo recently. And thanks so much for your generous offer! I may well see about taking you up on that. Love the idea of playing with different woods. I'm still trying to save for some decent hand tools, rather than the throw aways. I love the idea that there are still artisans out there, mastering their craft, so that forum sounds amazing. And have a feeling I'd end up more a 'power tool' girl myself, just cause of physical limitations... but gotta start somewhere, and for me, hand tools are it just because of lack of tools.