Hi everybody. Thought I'd introduce myself, because I can see I'm going to have a lot of questions for people who have tried Ana's projects! I'm the mother of a 3rd grader and have a demanding job outside the home, though I've recently cut back to working a 75%- time schedule. Still, with family, work, and community activities, my free time is in short supply. My husband is not the least bit interested in fixing, or building anything, so I'm the one who does that kind of stuff around here. (He has many other stellar qualities, such as being an awesome cook who makes 75% of our meals, so I don't feel any need to complain. Besides, I enjoy figuring out how to do home projects myself.) I'm tired of browsing catalogs wishing for the kind of clean-lined furniture I like but can't afford.
I know next to nothing about working with wood and have never built furniture, but I've always wanted to learn how. I discovered this site only yesterday and am totally inspired but what Ana and others have achieved. I have spent hours perusing all the plans and working up the courage to try to make something. I have a good DeWalt power drill I bought for myself a few years ago, which I've mostly used for stuff like putting up towel bars and curtain rods, tethering tall furniture to the walls (gotta do that in earthquake country!) and putting together Ikea furniture.
I also have a jigsaw, but the only time I ever used it, I was reduced to tears because I had a hard time controlling it, and all my cuts came out jagged and uneven. Maybe I had the wrong kind of blade on it for the MDF I was cutting (an Ikea shelf I ruined while trying to cut it down to the size I needed), or perhaps I need a different kind of saw. I'd love suggestions on what brand and model saw to get. I plan to get one of those Kreg jigs, because it looks like it would be just right for my skill level.
Also, where do others do their projects? There's no room in our garage (working on that, but it's taking time) and our driveway is steeply sloped. Haven't yet figured out where I else I could do big, messy projects. Maybe I'll just have everything cut for me at Blue for my first project. I'm determined to figure all this out and get started making something!
Anyway, I look forward to learning from everyone here.
Ms Criz
anawhite (not verified)
Thu, 09/02/2010 - 14:06
Hi Ms Criz with the amazing hubs that cooks! You are so far ahead of most with a good drill and a jigsaw. I have had decent success cutting with a jigsaw by using a good blade (there are metal and woodworking blades, so make sure you get the right one), clamping the board down so I am only concentrating on cutting (not on cutting and holding the board), wearing hearing protection and eye protection so I feel safe cutting, and going slow. Make sure you start the jigsaw before you get to the wood. Do some tests on 1x2s to build up your confidence.
That said, if you can afford it, a Sliding compound miter saw - the most expensive one you can afford - makes cutting so easy. They are unbelievable easy to use and precise, making beautiful cuts in seconds without having to clamp your boards or mark your boards with a square. But these saws start around $200. Many people have found used ones for much less though.
Having the hardware store cut your boards would get you to the point where you are just assembling - so you could build in the same spot you build your IKEA stuff!
Good luck and welcome!
Ana
Ms Criz
Fri, 09/03/2010 - 14:53
Thanks for the welcoming reply, Ana! I think I'll try again with my jigsaw. Maybe I'll ask an experienced neighbor for advice on blades.
I also just remembered that there used to be a "tool library" at a community center near my house where you could borrow all kinds of woodworking and home repair tools for free or a very small membership fee. I'm going to see if that place is still around and if they have stuff I could borrow to get some experience using stuff like the compound miter saw before investing in it. Or maybe I can just take the wood over there and use their saw without having to bring it home. I'm determined to figure this out! Thanks again for inspiring so many to try this.
ferbit
Fri, 09/03/2010 - 15:42
Welcome Ms Criz! I'm from the Seattle area too! :)
ferbit
Fri, 09/03/2010 - 15:42
Welcome Ms Criz! I'm from the Seattle area too! :)
zoebird
Fri, 09/03/2010 - 20:10
i will look for a tool library!
aside from doing it in my kitchen (i live on a steep hill 77 steps straight up in a one-bedroom apartment), there is a workshop near me where i can work for a fee (and they have LOTS of tools), and my friend's father-in-law might also give me access to his workshop and tools. i would bake him cakes, probably. :D
anyway, i know that i am a ridiculously silly woman getting interested in this while living in an apartment 77 steps straight up (i'll take a picture for you). but i have pallets and passion. i think i can make crates. i'm so excited to make crates.
i'm going to line one with a fulled wool blanket and make it into an indoor herb garden in my kitchen. i'm going to use the others as cube/cubby books shelves. i'm going to make more and use them as cubbies at my yoga studio. and, i'm trying to figure out how to make one into a tiny cmpost bin. oh yes, i am!
then, i might branch out and make a simple step stool for my son. because he is currently standing on the trash can turned upside down (and washed of course, we only use this for standing now, since we have so little trash), i think a nice wooden step stool would be better for him. and besides, he's cute.
anyway, i ramble. a tool library. i would bet NZ has one of those. they have a toy library (which is cool, btw), and they even have a "gear" library for camping and such. so, they probably do have a tool library. but, i'm thinking one of the two workshops would be best.
suzieandjesse
Sat, 09/04/2010 - 05:47
Such a varied bunch of uses for a crate! Awesome stuff, zoe!
anawhite (not verified)
Mon, 09/06/2010 - 13:13
I want to see these crates too! They are going to be amazing! And yay for you, not letting 77 steps get in your way!
amanda.leonard
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 16:43
Hey, I am in Seattle too. Your post is nearly identical to me and my husband. My husband is pathetic when it comes to tools. We laughingly call him my big clamp. One time he fixed a running toilet and I almost fainted.
I volunteer and borrow tools from the West Seattle Tool Library all of the time and they are awesome. If you want help with your tools, just bring it in and they could help you with some tips (Micah is quiet but a tool master). They have lots of tools if you are missing something too. I usually have to borrow the big clamps for my projects so we may have to fight for them. I am just not strong enough to hold wood and drill at the same time.
I am about to finish up my biggest project yet and the tool library has been there since the begining. If you need a local emergency furniture building contact, keep me on your list. I am fairly new to this, but I am completely obessed. You can see what I am up to on my blog... uffdaprojects.blogspot.com. I would tell you to message me, but I don't know how to check message on this board.
Good luck!
Ms Criz
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 17:37
Hi Amanda! Thanks for the info about the West Seattle tool library - very helpful. I'm still debating which project to start with, and where to set up. Today would have been a great day to work on something outside if I'd had my act together. I'll check out your blog, and write to you there if I have any questions.