Starting projects of an absolute beginner
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12 June 2017 at 8:50 pm #312843
Maybe it is time for a little inventory. I have
– a japanese ryoba saw
crosscut side: 18 tpi. blade length 25cm/ 10″
ripcut side: 9 tpi, blade length 20cm/ 8″, which is too short for ripping to thickness– a japanese dozuki saw
rip & crosscut: 18 tpi, blade length 24cm/~9.5″I managed to rip a 12cm/5″ wide, 45cm/18″ long board to thickness with the ryoba, but it took like forever. For a 20cm/ 8″ blade it might be also pushing the limit.
I have read your comments very thoroughly several times, watched Paul’s videos and then some others and did a little research.
A carcass saw would be a good starting saw, I can see the benefit of it, but I think that the two japanese saws I already have can handle the smaller, finer tasks already.
I cannot get the Spear & Jackson handsaw with 7 tpi as mentioned in the video here in germany. The only one I could get would be the 10tpi. I could order the 7 tpi one in UK but shipping kinda strips away the “bargain”-component a little bit.
I still might get the 10 tpi one, as a saw that might come along to the lumberyard, to cut wood to smaller length for transport.I can see advantages to a frame saw and to a hand saw, so guess it comes down to preferences and practice. Maybe I can get my hands to either of them, that might help with a decission process.
Thank you very much for all your Input and thought. They are very helpfull and made me undertand saws a little better.
[quote quote=312844]
What’s the deal with not being able to get stuff in Germany? Are there some weird trade laws, or shipping laws, or taxes, or???
[/quote]Germany is nearly completely powertool land.
Available handtools here are on the “price optimised” end in DIY warehouses or a small selection at the high end via three or four dedicated internet handtool dealers.
Mid-price tools like the Spear & Jackson 9515K saw are only sometimes available via amazon Germany – there I got mine last year.Get those tools from the UK is possible, but in most cases the shipping costs are eye-watering compared to the price of the tool.
@pepperpot
Last year I had to wait for around one month, until the 9515K saw was available again. So if you can wait, that might be an option…
On the other hand: the William Greaves handsaws are available at feinewerkzeuge.de and they’re in the same price range as the S&J are.
The rip saw I bought for my father needed some work at the beginning, because there was mor set on one side. Got it sorted with some strokes with a sharpening stone.E.
- This reply was modified 6 years, 10 months ago by Ecky H.
13 June 2017 at 9:02 am #312851Ecky pretty much summed it up, its powertool Land around here.
And yes you can get the second Hand tools however as he said shipping is ludicrously expensive and you risk buying problems.
I have imported tools from the UK before and shipping costs of 30 to 40+ £ make buying that 20 £ plane or saw not that attractive anymore.
14 June 2017 at 9:58 am #312935I got myself a framesaw for ripcutting, a blade fro crosscutting and some files for sharpening, the ripcut blade will be done tomorrow. I will have to practice with that saw during the weekend, maybe I can get some more thinner boards to continue with little projects, before I’ll start with the chair.
Maybe I’ll build the framesaw for the crosscut blade 🙂14 June 2017 at 2:42 pm #312939Hi there everyone.
I just thought I could help the beginners with my own journey. When I was in high school years ago I built a clock using power saws and other stuff. It was loud and not really skill building.
I have had my own not so great stuff. I have made a wood base for my router plane and it will make a great door stop. If you ever watch Monty python they have a skit where a guy buys a dead bird from the pet shop. The owner keeps saying beautiful plumage and he knows the bird is dead. Thats how my first wood base turned out.
We make mistakes and learn from it. I made another one and turned out well. I am in the process of making saw horses like Paul’s blog. I am going to make the work bench that is on YouTube.
It’s great to watch Paul and it’s a great time to learn and he’s very patient. He’s also been doing this for 55 years now. It’s great to aspire to the level of Paul. I am sure that Paul has done his share of not so great projects too.
Just keep at it. I have done things with scrap wood to build and practice on to develop my skill or to make a rehearsal run before the final job is done.
I hope this helps all of the beginners in the group.
14 June 2017 at 6:58 pm #312941Yes, I will do lots and lots of mistakes. That does not bother me, as long as they don’t get too expensive or too hard to fix.
My latest one is putting a second coat of boiled linseed oil on the bench hook too thick in the morning before I left for work. It became sticky and rubbery to the touch. I will let it dry a few more days, then I will try to sand it. Hopefully it will get to a point, where I can use it.
Lessons learned:
– use oil in thin coats
– wipe off the excess after a 30 – 60 minutes14 June 2017 at 7:18 pm #312942Yeah generally you always wanna go very easy on the second coat of oils.
With Linseed Oil you can wipe of the excess after a couple minutes no need to wait 30min.Generally i always apply very little oil and just keep doing it untill the wood stops soaking it up then let that first coat dry, maybe sand inbetween and then just barely use any oil on the second coat, chances are by that point its pretty much saturated and not taking in much anymore.
Another thing i like to do is just use a Latex Glove to apply the oil, takes care of the spontaneous combustion problem of oilsoaked rags and it works really rather well especially on round pieces like Toolhandles and the like, though as anything thats personal preference.
I have seen people apply it with rags, steel wool, sanding sponges, scotchbright pads so if you dont mind experimenting maybe theres something in there for you.15 June 2017 at 8:11 pm #312956I think that I will need to resharpen the ripcut blade again. It cuts better then before but I am still slow with it, compared to the ryoba saw, wich is only 1/3 as long as the frame saw.
Using the frame saw, surely gets your blood pumping and will develop some muscle. Something completly different than sitting at a desk in front of a keyboard the whole day.I’ve started reading my first book about woodworking:
It is a book about the original book with the same title, which was released in 183X. The original text is a story about Thomas, an apprentice in a woodworking shop, to show other boys what to expect if you think about an apprenticeship and becoming a joiner and cabinetmaker in that time.
The new book sets the historical context, contains the original book with a lot of footnotes and in the second part, contains the rebuild of three projects as described in the original text.
I am not that far in, about 50 pages but so far it seems to be an interesting and entertaining book.- This reply was modified 6 years, 10 months ago by Pepper Pot.
15 June 2017 at 8:37 pm #312961Yes Framesaws take abit getting used to and sharpening+setting the teeth will take practice but you’ll get there.
Sounds like an interessting book and view into the past of UK Woodworkers alright, where did you buy it if you dont mind me asking?
Might be nice reading about the contrast to the modern side where alot of Handtools just arent feasible anymore, I will wait on your verdict of the book though.15 June 2017 at 9:20 pm #312969I ordered the book from the Dictum webshop:
Here are two reviews/ descriptions, the first one also includes links to the Sketch Up drawings of the three projects and picture slideshows with comments by Christopher Schwarz. I think those were part of a DVD, that was included in earlier runs of the books, at least mine is missing the DVD.
Review with links
Review on renaissance woodworker15 June 2017 at 9:26 pm #312972I ordered it from the Dictum webshop:
PS: I tried to include two more links with reviews, but this system deletes this post, when I publish it with the links.
@pepperpot
Thank you for your recommendation of that book. Just put it on my wishlist.Please tell the difficulties with that “two or more links in a post” to the forum admistration via the contact page. They investigate a similar issue with one of my posts, which ended in the spam filter.
Thank you!
E.
@pepperpot
That box is treasure trove. I have, and loved it. At some point I will probably end up making most everything Thomas does.@kamikazekrieger
You can also get the book and many more on old hand tool woodworking at lostartpress.com. I am using the a copy of Windowmaking and Doormaking to make a new bedroom door for the house. -
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