Newbie saying hi!

[Lexie]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to the forum and just wanted to introduce myself...
I studied product design over a decade ago then ended up running an interior design business (which wasn't nearly as much fun as I hoped!). I am a generally creative person, over the years I've dabbled in everything from screen printing to pouring concrete work tops with several home renovations in between. Basically I just love making things!

I would consider myself a fairly competent diy'er (albeit rather slow!) but what I would really love to do is get back to my design roots and start designing and making furniture.

Since I was about 16 (I'm now 40 :shock: ) I have been collecting woodworking tools in the hope that one day I would have a workshop where I could create to my hearts content. Well... 3 years ago I built a workshop/studio/shed (depending on my mood!) at the bottom of my garden but unfortunately it almost immediately turned into a storage space and magnet for junk! I have recently grabbed the bull by the horns and after about 4 weeks work it is starting to look very much like a real, bonafide workshop!

With the help of You Tube I have just built a fab workbench (if I do say so myself) with a router table built into one end and table saw at the other. I'm absolutely delighted with it and the great feeling that goes along with creating something!

So that's where I'm at... After I've built a rack for storing wood I'm pretty much ready to start making mistakes and learning from them!

I'll stop rambling for now and I look forward to learning from all you talented people and sharing my own work and ideas as I embark on this exciting adventure!

Bye for now,
Lexie

 

[John15]

Welcome Lexie.

There are lots of experienced woodworkers on this forum to learn from.

John

 

[hammer n nails]

Hi and welcome we love photos can we see your workshop

 

[DiscoStu]

Welcome and as above, let's see some photos!

 

[Alexam]

Hi Lexi, welcome to the forum.

You should get all your answers from the members here as there is a wealth of knowledge around and it has helped me tremendously in the last couple of years since I returned to this hobby when retiring.

Have fun and always ask about equipment you are thinking of buying, as some are better than others and opinions vary.

All the best

Alex

 

[mseries]

Yes, lets see photos of the fab bench. Don't be afraid to ask for advice and help, but remember your projects are yours so do them in a way that satisifies you.

 

[paul-c]

hi lexie
you will find there are some great people on this forum who will help you.
i have recieved plenty of help and advice.
cheers paul-c
p.s. there is one thing to remember on here - if there are no photo's it didn't happen

 

[Lexie]

Oh my! What an amazing response from everyone, I wasn't expecting that
I tend to take photos at every stage of a job (big or small), mostly for reference but I will def post some here when I've had a chance to reduce the file size of them.

I can't take any credit for the workbench as its a mishmash of lots of ideas I saw online and kinda put them all together but I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice... Made a T-Square fence yesterday for the table saw and to my delight its remarkably square with the blade!

Thanks again everyone and I'll post some pics later today...

 

[Lexie]

So here's some pics! (is this the best place to post them? I'm not just a newbie to woodworking i'm also a newbie to forums!)

The outside of the workshop just as we were completing it and right before I filled it with junk! Its about 3.5 x 5.5m and came in a kit... easy peasy to build, a bit like Lego! (I have step by step pics of this being built if anyone is interested i'm happy to share)

Then there's the workbench... There's still work to be done on it, perhaps you could give me suggestions on how best to use the valuable space underneath! I was thinking about using the central area as jig storage (i'm about to make a cross sled which is rather bulky and i'm not sure where i'm going to put it!)

I'm not sure I'm allowed to post that many pics so I'll stop there for now!