New member first project

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Welcome! / Forums / Project Series / Dovetail Boxes / New member first project

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  • DeniseG
    15 November 2013 at 7:52 pm #21519

    Hi Everyone –

    I’m so excited about this opportunity to learn how to build with hand tools from a master. I am a new hand tool woodworker and started my first project this week, a dovetail box.

    I could tell you all my mistakes and there are many, but like you all already know they were not mistakes but lessons – treasures. I’ve now cut 8 dovetails by hand for a four sided box – head scratcher, right? Well, lets just say the box is a wee bit smaller than it started out to be! None the less, what is mind blowing to me is that each one I cut got dramatically better. By the 8th dovetail it fit with one small chisel trim to a pin.

    I’ll soon have a “shop” full of boxes and be ready to take on the next project – either a cutting board or the tool box. I also am collecting lumber to make Paul’s bench. IN the mean time I’m working on an old kitchen cabinet with a solid core door for a bench and a machinist vise for my vise. I have various clamps that are also very helpful.

    By the way, are there any women in the Woodworking Master Class? If not I’ll just have to recruit some for us.

    Denise
    If only I had more time and more lumber.

    i'd prefer to make it myself

    David Gill
    15 November 2013 at 8:10 pm #21520

    Hi Denise
    Welcome to Paul’s club, I am sure you will find it very helpful and encouraging Best of luck with you box you should post some pictures.
    If I was you I would tackle some of the easier projects before tackling the cutting board or the tool box.The tool tote or the clock are both good projects for learning new skills.

    Wigan, Lancs. England :

    Eddy Flynn
    15 November 2013 at 8:13 pm #21521

    haha Denise i think most of us have got a dovetail box that started out a couple of inch’s longer/wider than it ended up ,to answer another question i dont remember any other women members on Masterclasses but i’m sure there are others apart from you and Resi of course , welcome

    Eddy .. Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
    ,

    Steve Follis
    15 November 2013 at 8:16 pm #21522

    Welcome Denise, it is a pleasure having you! Be sure and post pictures, we would love to see them!

    Memphis, Tennessee

    cpetersen1970
    15 November 2013 at 8:43 pm #21523

    Welcome, Denise. Hope you enjoy the forums, they are one of the friendliest, most helpful and mature areas of the internet I have yet encountered. Refreshing, to say the least. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or post pictures…someone will be able to help you and no one will ridicule your errors, as we’ve all made the same mistakes ourselves, sometimes repeatedly. 🙂

    The forums themselves are a very nice resource for ideas, tool info, etc. Also the Unplugged shop site is great.

    Glad to have another member!

    Chris

    Ken
    15 November 2013 at 8:49 pm #21524

    Hi Denise
    Welcome pleased to have you with us. Make your self right at home, and enjoy the journey. 😉

    STEVE MASSIE
    15 November 2013 at 9:43 pm #21525

    Hi Denise and Welcome aboard and yes please recruit and stay please. I know what you mean about the boxes becoming shorter BTDT a few times LOL.

    Any how I Echo what has been said even though I have been a Woodworker Hobbyist for 40 years I have only taken Hand Tools seriously for the last couple years.

    This is a great forum and I love Paul’s no nonsense style of working wood, which also proves you don’t need to spend big money to get results.

    Two things I would like to offer is learn to sharpen your tools ( dull tools are dangerous and frustrating ) and practice, practice,practice and more practice.

    By the way you will love Paul’s Bench I just finished mine a few weeks ago. Sorry about being long winded but any questions or problems here don’t hesitate to ask. There is a lot of good talent here, especially Master Paul.

    Steve

    Steve Massie, I live in the great State of Florida, US

    Greg Merritt
    15 November 2013 at 10:45 pm #21531

    Hello Denise…glad to have you with us. Don’t hesitate to jump right in.

    Greg

    http://hillbillydaiku.com

    DeniseG
    15 November 2013 at 11:50 pm #21543

    Thank you everyone. And I thought this membership would be all about the teaching videos and Paul’s writings. What a rich community of woodworking knowledge and enthusiasm you all are. I’m glad to be among you.

    I’ll post pictures of my first box when it is complete.

    i'd prefer to make it myself

    Mark Armstrong
    17 November 2013 at 7:56 pm #21656

    All said before by others above.
    Welcome 😉
    Mark

    Dagenham, Essex, England

    DeniseG
    17 November 2013 at 8:58 pm #21661

    Thanks Mark.

    Well, I’ve glued up the sides, now to round the edges of the bottom with my #3 Stanley that I bought from the local wood workers guild annual tool sale (like ebay only better). Tomorrow I should have a fully assembled box ready for finish and pictures.

    Not much woodwork this weekend as I’m busy with other priorities.

    i'd prefer to make it myself

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