Building a storage shed

Josh, an experienced hand tool guy wants a recommendation for a good “first power tool”.

I am new to The Guild, but looking forward to the upcoming builds. I am a hand tool guy and have everything I need to complete a project with hand tools. However, after attending classes at Kelly Mehler’s, I see how machines can really help (dimensioning stock). I am beginning to look at a more blended approach. I was wondering what you might recommend. I often hear a bandsaw referred to as the Neanderthal’s Apprentice and was thinking that it might make a good first power tool. I don’t have 220v if that makes a difference. Also are there any other tools that I should be considering?

Hey Josh. A bandsaw is indeed a great tool to have in the shop. But its hard for me to say if this is the right “first tool” for you without more information. When considering which power tools to add to your arsenal, I recommend looking for the one that will open the most doors for you. In other words, the best multi-tasker for the type of work you do. As you can imagine, your woodworking style, focus, habits, and tastes will all play a role in dictating the direction you need to go. But I can give you a few things to consider based on my personal opinions and experience with power tools. Here are some of the tools I think you might want to consider:

The Tablesaw – I think its safe to say that the tablesaw would be a “first tool” for many people. You can cut pieces down to size, rip, crosscut, establish a straight edge, and make all kinds of critical joinery with speed and accuracy. In my opinion, it truly is the heart of the workshop.

The Router – Never underestimate the versatility of a router. It will open up a whole world of edge treatments and joinery. Coupled with a flush trim bit/pattern bit, you have an incredibly powerful duplication tool. Furthermore, you can use the router for various flattening and jointing operations. Although this tool is second on my list, I don’t think I would want to work in a shop without one!

The Bandsaw - If you are looking to cut curves only, then you might be able to get away with the much cheaper jigsaw. But if you plan on resawing stock, a bandsaw is the logical way to go. You also might consider that the bandsaw is only part of the resawing equation. Your stock should be at least partially milled flat and square before resawing, and you’ll need to dress the stock afterward as well. Now if you plan on using your hand tools for these tasks, you are good to go. But if you are also looking for a power tool solution for milling, you will definitely want to consider a jointer and a planer.

Jointer/Planer - I tend to lump these two together since they make a very powerful milling team. But these will not be inexpensive by any means. And if your primary goal with your new power tools is to mill your own stock, I would actually put the jointer and planer before the bandsaw.

As a bit of a disclaimer, I came from a power tool background and worked my way into hand tools. As a result, my perspective may be skewed. I am anxious to hear what some of you hand tool woodworkers think about this. What power tools do you find the most useful in your hand tool shop??

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Special Guest: Shannon Rogers, The Renaissance Woodworker!

Topics:
Workshop security?
Specialty blades “thick kerf”- Should they be made?
Twitter Woodworking Talk with AdamKing and FurnitureGirl right now.
Festool at Walmart???

What’s on the Bench?
Shannon- A shop full of projects!
Matt – Forgot to measure his bandsaw blade width correctly and suddenly discovered why it wasn’t tensioning properly. Also dusted off his grinder and sharpened some rusty old blades that would’ve taken forever by hand.
Marc – Cabinet project live streaming all week.

Around the Web:
Peter Galbert’s “Chair Notes” blog
Woodworking Custom Plans
From the Forum: The Next Tablesaw Lawsuit
PegsandTails.com – Sent in by Jeremy Kriewaldt.
Woodwerks Windsor Chair Kits

Voicemails:

Renee- DC quick connect fittings coming loose.
Runningwood- What fasteners do we keep in stock? How to make sliding dovetails with hand tools?

Sweet Deals:
Spring BlowOut Sale- use code cnw2010 for 30% off!
Highland Woodworking deals -
DeWalt DW411 1/4 Sheet Finishing Sander – $29.99 (was $39.99)
DeWalt DW317 Variable Speed Orbital Jigsaw – $59.99 (was $99.99)
Rikon 10-305 10″ Bandsaw – $199.99 (was $279.99)
Eagle America – Free Shipping on any order through 5/31/2010 Promo code H2100522
Woodcraft – Free Shipping on orders of $25 or more
Peachtree Woodworking – 25%-60% off select items enter keycode mday1

Tip Clips:
Tom’s Tip – Cheap Squares
See more from Tom at TomsWorkbench.com
Kari’s tip – Spring is in the air!
Enjoy more of Kari’s work at Villagecarpenter.blogspot.com

I just wanted to thank you for this awesome site you’ve built and how it’s inspired me to get into wood working. I’m 20 and a second year in college in a fine arts program. One of the assignments of our design course in school is to design and build something of our choosing. I was inspired by an article I read on Fine Woodworking’s site about furniture called library ladders, like chairs that fold into step ladders. After watching pretty much all of your project videos, I figured I’d give it a shot for my first major woodworking project. After watching the mortise and tenon video, I figured that would be the coolest joinery to work with on the chair I was making. I mean, you made it look so easy. Wow, what a jerk move. Do you know how long it took me to painstakingly drill press and chisel out like 20 mortises? Well, regardless of what a pain it was, the chair turned out great, though with a few flaws. So thanks for inspiring me to get started in the first place and maybe I’ll take on a few of your posted projects as something to try next.

After the recent March Guild Build, many of you probably remember Duane Moore. If not, here’s the nutshell version of the story. Duane has pancreatic cancer and has been doing his best to fight the good fight. Our recent Guild Build raised nearly $9000 for the American Cancer Society. Well now, I am sad to say that things are taking a bit of a turn for the worse, and Duane could use some support. Any of you who have dealt with serious illness know how fast the bills start to pile up and how difficult it can be. At this stage, Duane is simply looking to have a “dream summer” with his family. In Duane’s own words:

My dream is to take what may be my last summer alive off, and spend it with my family building memories and enjoying each other.

Family and friends encouraged Duane to start a website where people can read about his story and donate to help out. So be sure to check out ForeverFighting.com. Even if you can’t help out, there’s a lot of good information and link on the site for you to take a look at. And you can even drop Duane a line if you like. Thanks everybody.

Our Summer Guild Build is coming up, and the Guild members have decided that we are making a chest of drawers together. As with the Shaker End Table Guild Build, I will be releasing detailed plans, SketchUp drawings, and some of the most comprehensive woodworking videos you can imagine. We are really going for this “virtual woodworking school” concept!

But here’s a little twist that I think lots of folks are going to enjoy. Charles Neil and I were chatting the other day about how we might collaborate. Charles himself has a paid membership section of his website called Mastering Woodworking With Charles Neil. So we thought it would be cool to join forces on the upcoming Guild Build. While I am making a modern/clean-lines chest of drawers, Charles will be building a more traditional/classic design. So if you are a Guild member or a member of Charles Neil’s premium site, you’ll have the added bonus of seeing BOTH video series!

So there you go. Two projects, two perspectives, two teaching styles, and a whole lot of sawdust! This is going to be a great experience and you don’t want to miss it! All you folks who built a Shaker End Table know exactly what I’m talking about.

If you are interested in joining the Guild, you can sign up here for immediate access. And don’t forget to use the discount code WOODNERD at check out for 15% off your membership!

This is a very nice piece submitted by Nick. All of the details look masterfully executed. Wow! Nick also wanted me to mention that this piece is for sale.

I built this cabinet on a stand a few months ago. I love the works of James Krenov and decided to pay homage to him by building a cabinet in his style. The cabinet itself is made of Beech. The doors of the cabinet were coopered and shaped with hand planes, with sides being in at a slight angle are also shaped with a hand plane. Inside there are 2 small drawers with hand-cut dovetails with curved fronts. The stand is made of Red Oak, with the rails having odd angles cut on the ends to match the angles of the cabinet, also have curves and bevels. The cabinet was finished with a light coat of shellac while the stand was finished with a few coats of oil.

The 2 handplanes inside? Well before Krenov stopped making planes/passed away i asked him for one. After receiving it, a bad crack had developed in the cross pin. I told him about it and he sent me another one, insisting I keep the first one.

To learn more and James Krenov, check out the Wikipedia page and the Krenov Website.

Here’s a quick look at Ken’s garage shop in Washington:

My shop is in a 3 car garage. My center stall has a door leading to the outside. My son in law has the third stall with roll up door. The other side will have a wall with an Apartment. Most tools are Craftsman, Ryobi Drills, Planer, and the Table Saw is Ryobi/Sears, with a sliding Miter Table.

This project was sent to us by Kara, a proud wife and mother:

When I first approached my husband about building an arts and crafts table for our 2 year old girl, Gracie, I thought he was going to say, “here is your $200 go buy her a table”. I am so glad he didn’t do that because what she is got for Christmas is a priceless heirloom that will be treasured for generations. Not only did he create a table based on what she needed but also added some details that I would’ve never thought of, like the bow pulls on the drawers, the bows on the tabletop.
The tabletop is made out of solid soft maple with walnut inlays and then dyed reddish brown, and then spray lacquered. The legs and frame are also solid soft maple with walnut inlays that protrude out 3/8 of an inch on each outside leg. There is one walnut large bow-tie in the center and a smaller one in each corner.

Congratulations to April’s winner Donnie Gaskin. He won the 45 Degree Lock Miter Bit. Here’s what you can win this month:

3 Piece Multi-Sided Glue Joint Kit – 1/2″ Shank #100-9005
A perfect bit set for summer! An easy and foolproof way to join up multi-sided projects such as planters and barrels. Simply select the number of sides you want and pick the bit that’s right for you. Stock is notched out at the correct angle, which gives extra gluing surface and a strong mechanical glue joint. Edges can be produced that are either flush or protruded which then can be later sanded down to desired finish. Learn More!

All you need to do is participate. Each month, we select the winners(s) randomly from the folks who comment on our videos and blog posts. So the more you comment, the better your chances of winning! Good luck!

So as Woodworker’s Safety Week comes to a close, I thought it would be fun to talk about our close calls. You know what I’m talking about. That time you tried to cross-cut a 4 foot long board with no miter gauge…. or that time you pared that tenon while holding the work piece in your hand….. We’ve all done it. And hopefully, we’ve all learned from it. So let’s hear your best “close call” story. And although I am keeping it light-hearted here, my real intention is to shed light on some of the more obscure mistakes we can make in the shop. You’d be surprised at how many people will learn something new from this exercise.

And just to keep things interesting, I’ll be picking my favorite three stories and giving these folks Guild memberships (or extensions if they are already members). Happy Safety Week!

***WINNERS***
Steve Hupp, Neil Aronson, and GMack. Thanks everyone for the excellent stories and so glad you all have enough fingers left to type them out!

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