Truly A Lucky Guy

[ChrisD]

The other night I took pictures of my shop to post on one thread and it occurred to me that I’m a pretty lucky guy.

Not too long ago, getting the latest issue of Fine Woodworking or Popular Woodworking was an experience of mixed emotions: I always looked forward to the articles and projects, but at the same time had to go through the usual reality check that I really could not relate to a lot of them because (1) I did not have the ‘right tools’ and (2) did not really have the skills to make do with what I did have.

I debated a lot whether I should just give it up or suck it up. I gave much thought to the latter – just go and start building stuff with whatever I had in my yellow Rubbermaid toolbox. At the time, anyway, my biggest influence was from a guy who wrote a book on building tables and was a big advocate of hand tools. Again, a quick reality check convinced me that if I were to go manual, I probably would never emerge from the basement with a finished product.

Well, it occurred to me that I actually had a third option: wait.

And I did. Paycheck after paycheck after paycheck.

My shop is still small and cold (except for the heat radiating from the ductwork), but has a few more items now than what would fit in my yellow toolbox. And I can’t really say that I am much more skilled now than I was a few years ago, but I certainly have ‘gotten some game’. To quote from a now defunct show that I really liked, "We get better", and I truly believe that.

I’m a lucky guy because I’m married to an awesomely wonderful woman who never once faltered (at least not visibly) in her support of my demented idea that somehow I can wage a war against inferior and overpriced furniture and actually have the slightest chance of winning some battles. A woman who has looked away when there were some pretty hefty entries in the American Express statement that she had not been told about. Her name is Ritzel.

I’m a lucky guy because my kids understand my need to be away from them for a few hours on some days and make unbearable noise downstairs. And in their eyes, everything I build is perfect. They are my biggest (and probably only) fans and their names are Francis and Rachel.

I’m a lucky guy because I know people – none of whom I have met in person – who know how to build incredibly beautiful stuff, teach others, genuinely care for others, tell their stories, listen to others, and just be decent folk. Their name is BT3Central.

I’m a very lucky guy and I just thought I’d let you know.

[LowerUnit]

AMEN!

I have to agree because I have similar sentiments about my place in life with regard to procured tools, this fantastic BT3Central board, and above all the most wonderful little woman.

I've scratched together some really respectable tools in the past 2 months;
14" Ridgid BS, BT3100 w/complete accessory kit, Delta 6" VS benchtop jointer, Ryobi regular & plunge routers w/bits (asst'd 1/4", 1/2", and forstner 16pc set), Ryobi planer, Ryobi belt/disc sander, Ryobi CMS, Ridgid OS/S, Ryobi cordless set, HF nailer/stapler, HF drill press, 3 Herc-U-Lifts, and a few other things while managing to keep under $1500.

This community has given me inspiration to pursue the challenge of woodworking. The genuine openminded exchange combined with experienced mentors here on BT3Central.com has guided me and given me solid direction in my searching and efforts to accomplish. Another shiny spot is the fact that beyond the tool talk and craftsmanship wisdom, there is a real human element without drama that is mature and compassionate towards others. For this gentlemen and women, I sincerely thank and applaud you all!

The most supportive of my passions & interests is a beautiful loving little woman named Annette. This whole woodworking desire has been building for a while but I tried to supress it thinking that timing wasn't right. Tool sales and opportunities seem to show up around Christmas when expenses are greater and my work is slower. Well how blessed can a guy be when the love of your life gives that unspoken go ahead look and tells you she only wants a pair of slippers that were on sale for a Christmas gift. Further approval & support came in the form of telling me how much her Dad (deceased) and I would have gotten along as he was pretty crafty at building things. Another little nugget Annette offered was about a guy who she had lived by that built wood projects and would leave two or three things displayed in the yard while working in case a passerby may be interested in buying something. I guess she understands my needs pretty well and is confident that there will be rewarding moments ahead.

I'm sorry for the length and if this sounds too emotional. I also hope this isn't received as gloating. I'm new here and know there is a lot to learn. My hope is that I will be able to give back or pay forward to someone else what has so freely been given to me.

I'm a LUCKY guy! - ironically, this is the exact phrase that I've been telling my wife all along since we first dated and regularly over the years...

[gjat]

Chris,
NEVER let lack of tools prevent you from trying. 15 years ago I started woodworking building beds, bookshelves, and toy boxes for my daughters with not much more than a drill, handsaw, a file, and a 1/3 sheet sander. Getting a circular saw was a huge upgrade at one time. Getting a cheapie benchtop table saw from my inlaws one Christmas was warping into another dimension.
I certainly don't have the professional techniques a lot of the posters here have (I'm still learning), but despite my early stuff having 10lbs of wood screws and glue holding it together, they're still in use and like in some commerical, 'Things keep getting better'.

[onedash]

Back in the mid 90's I had a drill, circ saw and router. I made a couple toy boxes out of 1x4's with routed edges. Design was bad they weighed way to much and it wasn't easy getting those warped boards screwed in straight but they looked alright. I didn't make much after those toy boxes and moved on to other hobbies. almost 10 years later we moved to Viginia got TIVO and I thought i'll set a season pass for NYW, TOH and the bug bit me. Luckily I make a lot more money and my wife is working now so I had to buy tools. I found furniture she wanted and showed her the price to build -vs- buy. Get it for less and add a tool. Well i have spent way more on tools than we ever would have on furniture and now that I have been buying bubinga the cost of materials has gone WAY up. So her theory was 'if we are spending this much on a desk we dont want to skrimp on the hardware' so this little desk im working on is the most expensive project to date. Hopefully I finish it soon.
My skills have improved like crazy in the last couple years too. Now there aren't to many things left that I need for my shop. Maybe some upgrades and small accessories but Im pretty well set. a giant planer and drum sander would be nice though and an 8" or bigger jointer.
And I too have got lots of advice from this forum. Best source for answers on the internet.

[Ed62]

Beautifully written, Chris. I can relate to everything you said.

Ed

[cabinetman]

Chris,
NEVER let lack of tools prevent you from trying.

Absolutely true. Figuring out successful alternate methods is one great morale builder. A while back I posted "You Can Do It", which was aimed at trying at any skill level. As for the tools, I had a hurdle when I started out that I had to jump. I wasn't in business very long, a year I think, and had the opprotunity to do a wall unit out of oak for a Doctors house. When I went to the house to take measurements and write a contract, he showed me his garage. It was a three car garage FULLY LOADED with stationary tools, portable power tools, and hand tools a wood shop could ever need. I mean to tell you that I was shocked. He literally had a COMPLETE SHOP.

The only way I can describe it is to say if you had the money to buy anything you wanted, that's what he had. It was also obvious that he knew how to use what he had. Of course, I didn't want to faint before I got a deposit. At that time the only stationary tool I had was a table saw. I did have a router, circular saw, electric drill, and some hand tools. Fortunately, clients like that rarely visit the shop. I was tempted to offer to build the unit in his garage so they could watch the progress (what a cool pretense). The thought of it made me giddy with all that equipment. But, reality set in and I knew I was destined to work in my shop, with my table saw.

It's not the tools, it's the craftsman. There was some pretty fine woodworking done before electricity. That's not very long ago. Craftsmanship I feel is proportionate to the effort one is willing to apply. What is important is to enjoy what you do.

Yes, I feel like I'm a very lucky guy to have learned a trade. In those beginning times there were no home based PC's, internet, or tool catalogs mailed to your home. I feel lucky to have found this forum and share in the knowledge and perspectives of a great group of people.

[crokett]

Chris,
NEVER let lack of tools prevent you from trying.

And the corollary to that is "It is never the tool, it is always the woodworker". When I was a kid one of my dad's good friends was Eli, a master carpenter. I watched Eli do some wonderful work around our house and except for a lathe to turn some spindles once, the only power tools I saw him use was a circ saw and a drill. The rest was all hand tools.

[Thalermade]

I’m a lucky guy because I know people – none of whom I have met in person – who know how to build incredibly beautiful stuff, teach others, genuinely care for others, tell their stories, listen to others, and just be decent folk. Their name is BT3Central.

I’m a very lucky guy and I just thought I’d let you know.

Very nice post ChrisD. Very well said.

This forum truly is amazing. One member posts that he has to sell his tools because of health concerns and he gets 50 responses concerned about his health, and wanting to find ways to help him.

Russ

[niki]

Very nice post Chris

You are lucky to have such a supporting wife and kids and WE are all lucky to have such a grate and supportive forum.

Don't let the tools and the skills to discourage you from trying.
I don't have planer/thicknesser, band saw, lathe and many other tools and my skills are "if it doesn't have a cord or battery, it's not a tool" but I find the way to get around the problem.

If I see some plan of a unit that I luck the tools or skills to build it, I just modify it to fit my ability. Ok, it's not "mother of beauty" but I still enjoy to make it.

If I cannot make the dove-tail joint, I'll make it doweled joint.

I think that as long as it's not our profession we have to know our limits and enjoy our hobby (and I do very much).

All those plans in the magazines are made by professionals with tools and skills that we cannot compete with so I'm not frustrated if I cannot make the same one.

Cheers
niki

[SHADOWFOX]

This is truly an awesome post, Pare!

I just got done reading the recent issue of fine woodworking that came in today and all I could think about was "Man, I wish I had that mortiser or a drum sander" or "Festool Domino sure looks promising but it will be impossible for me to have that in my arsenal of tools because it is just way too expensive." Then I read this post and it was way too close to home. I am a newbie at this but boy am I lucky to have a beautiful, smart, and very considerate wife to still allow me to buy more tools even though I have yet to build a piece of furniture.