Hello from a complete beginner

[DannyEssex]

Hello All

My name is Dan, I am 29 years old and I'm from Thundersley in Essex. I am a complete beginner to woodworking and to be honest with any hands on skills.

I am a keen metal detectorist, and have been for several years. But like to keep myself busy whilst at home and not at work. I have always wanted to make something from scratch and say "I made that"

I have recently decided to try and make myself a finds cabinet. To display all the items I have found over the years. I gave it ago last week, and butchered an old pine coffee table. I was really pleased with the end result and it showed off my finds wonderfully until... I came across this site and realised that screwing together a couple of bits of wood isn't the way to make a cabinet lol.

I am going to try and learn some skills and set about making a proper cabinet, learn how to join it properly, etc.

I have been reading so many of yours posts on here that I am now completely confused, but I do enjoy learning so looking forward to actually trying out. Like I said I am completely new to all of this. I have loads of silly questions in my head at the moment, but with a lot of reading still to do on here I am sure I will start to learn all the terms you use.
I don't even know how to sharpen a chisel or understand what you guys mean about having a bevel or not lol

I'm yet to get myself some tools, but after reading AndyT's topic on the poundshop chisel I have an idea on what you guys would recommend.

I'm sure you get many newbies and hope your not too sick of stupid questions for advice

Thanks All
Dan ccasion5:

 

[wallace]

Hello Dan and welcome, their are some very talented pros and hobbyists on this site. There is no such thing as a silly question.
Mark

 

[rspsteve]

Hi Dan

I`m in wickford new too..never made a thing but am trying to set up a workshop/shed in the spring I am getting toold together as the cash allows .

Hope to see some pics as you start to build , also interested in the metal detecting anther thing I have fancied doing but life has allways got in the way.

Steve

 

[Baldhead]

Hello Dan and welcome, their are some very talented pros and hobbyists on this site. There is no such thing as a silly question.
Mark

Yes there are silly questions, and I take full credit for asking them! :wink: :wink: :wink:
Seriously, I have asked what I thought were the daftest of questions and all have been answered, we were all 'learners' so as Wallace said 'no such thing as a silly question'

Welcome Dan. Any chance of seeing a picture of your trophy cabinet?

Baldhead

 

[Charlie Woody]

Welcome Dan, I think you will find this forum invaluable as there are so many helpful people who are always willing to offer advice.

 

[twothumbs]

Hello and welcome to the form. It is full of very helpful, kind, knowledgable, and decent people. No silly questionjs...alll are valid. You are embarking on a future of achievement and enjoyment. Look forward to seeing how it goes. Best wishes.

 

[Jinx]

Hi Dan, I new here too and new to WW as well - just getting started bur I have already had some great advise from here - welcome, Jinx

 

[DannyEssex]

Any chance of seeing a picture of your trophy cabinet?

Baldhead

I'm a tad embarrassed to put up a pic, but here it is.

I'm dedicated to learn how to make a true piece next. Once I have sourced some of the basic tools needed, I am going to spend hours upon hours practising joinery techniques.

 

[pip1954]

hi danny welcome aboard
a daft question is the one you have not asked, it's all a learning curve and when you first start it will be a very steep curve,
your cabinet looks pretty good to me and you say it is your first well done.
if you have questions you will be very welcome to ask them everyone started some where.
all the best
pip

 

[adidat]

Looks good I wouldn't be to ashamed with that. Whats your must interesting finds??

Adidat

 

[JustBen]

If that's your first attempt, I'm impressed.

I know my first cabinet was shocking.

I have no doubt that you will find the answer to all your woodworking questions here.

 

[Tony Spear]

Danny, that work doesn't do your work any harm whatsoever!

BUT: A WORD OF WARNING - WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T RAISE THE SUBJECT OF TOOL SHARPENING!!!!!!! :mrgreen:

 

[DannyEssex]

Danny, that work doesn't do your work any harm whatsoever!

BUT: A WORD OF WARNING - WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T RAISE THE SUBJECT OF TOOL SHARPENING!!!!!!! :mrgreen:

Haha That has been a question iv been asking myself. I would have never thought I would have to sharpen a shop brought tool.

Do I need to buy a tool sharpener power tool? Or is there other methods? :shock:

Thank you all for the kind welcomes

 

[pops3757]

hi regards your trophy cabinet you made it you enjoyed making it and it does what you wanted to do ,in my book job done. As for tools buy the best you can afford dont forget quality secondhand .If your in any sort of partership the first word to learn is swmbo SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED you will see it alot on here above all else ENJOY

 

[mind_the_goat]

"I came across this site and realised that screwing together a couple of bits of wood isn't the way to make a cabinet"

The important thing is to have a go, and to be honest your end result looks pretty good.
Don't fall into the trap of spending so much time reading about how to make stuff that you never get to make stuff. I speak from experience.

 

[riclepp]

Danny, that work doesn't do your work any harm whatsoever!

BUT: A WORD OF WARNING - WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T RAISE THE SUBJECT OF TOOL SHARPENING!!!!!!! :mrgreen:

Welcome Danny....lol Tony beat me to it...... (on goes the tin foil hat and awaiting the arrival of%^&*( :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol:

 

[SteveF]

Welcome

is this another sharpening thread
=D> =D> =D>

 

[Nick Gibbs]

As someone else has said, there are no stupid questions. I've written some unbelievably stupid things in my time, and asked some incredible questions, and I'm sure I will do so again. There's nothing better, IMHO, than being out there in the shed making something. It really doesn't matter what it is, and if it survives long or short. Don't be frightened off by what appear to be finer pieces and cleverer jigs: most of us are still fumbling around, just trying to get a bit better.

 

[adidat]

Do I need to buy a tool sharpener power tool? Or is there other methods? :shock:

 

[Phil Pascoe]

:lol: ...'ere comes aaannnother one.......'ere it comes again......'ere comes aaannnother one - when will it ever end? :lol: