Projects, Pics, and Stories

[bfrikken]

Hrm, I hope this doesn't sound like rambling. One of my favorite things on this site is seeing the finished projects. Recently though, I've realized how much I am getting from the getting started posts and other discussions around a project. I still consider myself a novice woodworker, and I realize how much talent and information is provided by you all.

So this is a request of sorts. If you are going to start a project, heck if you are already involved in your project, and don't mind sharing your progress, can you start a Project Story Board somewhere tracking your progress. It would sure help someone like me. I know many like to just build and show your project and that is great, but I'd guess there are some that would be willing to share even more.

If you are wondering what may help, here are some things that I wonder on just about every project I see.

What type of lumber did you pick? Why? what were the starting dimensions, and what did it end up?
For example, I don't have a planer and I try to buy boards as close to dimension as possible. Seems to work ok for me.

Are you working off plans? Did you buy them? Do you have a link to them online? Are you just winging it? Do you have a napkin sketch?

What tools are you using at various stages? Why?
I've seen great shop projects come from conversations that go like this... "I cut this on the table saw.." "really, and did you use a router and straight edge or a jointer to get a straight cut.." "no, I used this sled that I made..." "Ok, show the sled now, cause I want to make one..." Get my picture ?


How are you clamping these projects? How did your glue up go? What types of clamps did you use? How did you lay it out for assembly (on the ground on?on bench top? on the dining room table?)?
I have an assortment of clamps. Usually bought to just help me get the job done. However, I've seen some pics of assembly with a ton of clamps on a piece and think now that was smart, I'd have never considered that....

Where did you have to change plans? Did everything go smooth? What would you have done differently?


How'd you sand it? How'd you finish it? (how'd you finish it again )

[radhak]

You have an interesting idea, and I'd love to see this from somebody.

Confession - I have been thinking of doing this myself - except that with my level of 'expertise', to the reader it might seem painful at best and maybe even like pompous self-advertisement ).

My dad keeps asking me similar questions (he's never done woodworking and is fascinated with my fascination) and just for his sake I should really start a blog - but that too I have been promising for over a year now .

The other thing is, the format. I dunno if we have a 'blog' format here, and the regular posts may take away from the 'self rumination' style this needs. Of course it will encourage comments, which is good.

And yes, not having a planer or jointer myself, we'd be good buddies... !

[rnelson0]

I did this when I was starting my bathroom remodel a few years ago (technically, *after* I started the remodel, it wasn't a remodel untiL I dropped the original sink and cracked the cabinet, "Hey honey, you always said you wanted tile in the bath, right?"). I never completed it, but hopefully it might help someone with the first processes:

https://ronelson.dynip.com:8443/wiki...stBathroom2006

I also have some pictures of my completed projects, so far all storage related - gotta have a workshop before you can make stuff!

https://ronelson.dynip.com:8443/wiki...p/Photos:House

I didn't take pictures of my electric project - you can't invite friends over to help and then tell them "Hey, hold still, I need to get a photo!", at least not without buying the good liquor

Are you working off plans? Did you buy them? Do you have a link to them online? Are you just winging it? Do you have a napkin sketch?

Just noticed this. If I get a chance, I'll scan in the napkin drawing my dad gave me of his workbench that I based my plans off of

[TheRic]

I like the idea of adding more info on how the finished project came to be. Maybe a link to where it was discussed in the "Project Related Discussions". Heck even a couple of pictures as the thing was being put together could be a big help to someone thinking about trying to do that project.

Maybe a form (to help people remember what to include) that has the dimensions, wood type, finish, basic tools used, amount of time required (just a guess), expertise required, joints used, etc. All parts would NOT have to be filled out, but would be nice. Could see this helping when searching for something. Just a thought / thinking out loud.

[Bruce Cohen]

I think that's a fantastic idea. Nor only does everyone to experience a "time line" of the project's progress. but you all get to see how all of us get to fix our "screw-ups" or as they say in software development, "undocumented features".

Seriously, I think that learning to hide/fix a mistake is as important as the initial construction. This is definitely harder than scrapping the screwed piece and starting again.

Great suggestion, possibly rates a forum of its own.

Bruce

[Popeye]

Funny, this very thing just popped up in the Wood Magazine forums. They called it a "PIP" (project in progress). I got the impression the staff thought it was a good enough idea to link the post to their News letter. Great idea one way or another.
I started to take pictures of my "kitchen in progress" but got side tracked by the building of it and now it's almost done. Pat

[rnelson0]

Bump

Hopefully this won't die. Heck, I'm interested in non-woodworking projects people may have too. There have been a lot of electrical and tile discussions lately, someone should be taking photos!

[ollie6]

This is a great idea. I will be starting a couple of new projects in the next couple of weeks. I will snap some pics throughout the progress and post them.

[rcp612]

If you are going to start a project, heck if you are already involved in your project, and don't mind sharing your progress, can you start a Project Story Board somewhere tracking your progress. )

Right now I'm working on a roll top desk. If I would have taped the process, it would probably be somewhere in the neighborhood of 7 or 8 hundred DVD's by now.
Pics would have been in the thousands.

Anyway, I think your idea is great!! Projects seem to take many different directions at times and, seeing how others accomplish the task at hand would be very enlightening.

[Black wallnut]

On several of my projects I have done just this. Curio Cabinet, Gun Cabinet, Saw Station. All were started with early topics in Project Related Topics, then once finished a new topic in "Finished Projects".

I see a few possiblities that I'll mull over then pass on to Sam in case he has not seen this topic. Possibly and articles sub-section for project type blogs so that the feedback is always below new updates. Perhaps a form with material and tool info needed to build.

[footprintsinconc]

the idea is a wonderful one. like you said, this would help us see how the raw material ended up as the final piece. you get to see other people's techniques, method of their madness and steps at various stages of the project.

[JR]

Possibly and articles sub-section for project type blogs so that the feedback is always below new updates. Perhaps a form with material and tool info needed to build.

These are good ideas, Mark. I've been reluctant to post to this thread, because, while I think it's a great idea to have "story boards" it adds to the complexity of the project to have to photograph and describe the whole thing. Sometimes I just want to get the deed done!

Like you, I tend to post in Project Related if I have a question or if I've done something that I think others might find interesting. A blog or full project story is another animal, though.

It would surely help to have access to pictures already posted in other threads. I wonder if it might be good if the author could have a private work area where the story could be developed, but not yet made available for viewing and comments. That way after the project is done, the author could spend some quiet time reflecting on the whole thing.

JR

[TheRic]

IMHO you don't need to show / document every step of what you did from start to finish. A few pictures / documented step here or there, just some at the start, any would help benefit some people. That one picture / explained step might be all it take for someone to have that light bulb go off.