small starter projects/tools

[Macchi]

Hello everyone!

I'm still pretty new to the woodworking world and would like to continue it as a hobby. I'll attach a few pictures of previous projects. Right now the only time I'm able to do projects is when I go home to Wisconsin. My Grandfather has a pretty nice workshop set up. Which is great, however being that I live/work in the DC area I don't get back to WI all that often. So to get to the point of the post, if it is even doable, can anyone suggest some small projects along with appropriate tools that are conducive to apartment living?

[Tom Slick]

Have you thought about carving instead of furniture? carving can be done anywhere with a minimum of tools.

[Macchi]

Yes, absolutely! I suppose I should have mentioned in there that I'm open to any form of craft involving wood. What the pictures show is pretty much the extent of the type of projects I've worked on, but am definately interested in learning anything.

[Uncle Cracker]

I know that many pen turners have set up a mini lathe in a spare bedroom. Perhaps this is a route you could take. You can work wood, and be crafty and artistic at the same time in a small space.

[unclecritic]

When I was an apartment dweller, I made HUGE use of a dremel tool and a small vacum. Just had to be aware of all the people living in the same building and not do stuff at 4 am.

[Pappy]

Apartment? No problem!





Just requires GOOD dust collection!

Seriously, scroll sawing is another possibility.

[Popeye]

Woodburning. Pat

[Shipwreck]

Buy hand tools instead of machinery. My grandfather had 5-6 planes, and a few saws, and made some of the most beautiful items I have seen. He got a brand new Craftsman table saw from my grand mother when he retired. The only time he ever used it was when she was in the garden near his little woodshop. He would look over at me and grin.

[ironhat]

Hello everyone!

I'm still pretty new to the woodworking world and would like to continue it as a hobby. I'll attach a few pictures of previous projects. Right now the only time I'm able to do projects is when I go home to Wisconsin. My Grandfather has a pretty nice workshop set up. Which is great, however being that I live/work in the DC area I don't get back to WI all that often. So to get to the point of the post, if it is even doable, can anyone suggest some small projects along with appropriate tools that are conducive to apartment living?

I'm with the carving group. I think that simple projects could end up being a bit knick-knacky and cause some burn out. Other than that,
Welcome !!

[rja]

Try scroll sawing. You can make a bazillion nice things with a scroll saw, a Dremel rotary tool, a small drill press and some hand tools.

[LCHIEN]

Try scroll sawing. You can make a bazillion nice things with a scroll saw, a Dremel rotary tool, a small drill press and some hand tools.

That and a 3 HP dust collector

Actually there can be a benefit of a 3 HP dust collector in your apartment.
Vent it outside and it will suck your neighbor's AC and heating through the wall plates and other cracks in wall saving you heating and cooling energy.

[Russianwolf]

Some hand planes, and a couple saws is all you need to start making some really nice boxes.

You can get planes that make molded trim and even dado grooves.

[thrytis]

Do you have a patio or balcony? Do you have any outside storage or at least some inside storage space? When i was in an apartment i had a table saw (small enough to pick up and put in a closet shelf), a miter saw, a bench top drill press, and a router table in addition to portable tools. Everything stored on in a 2' deep x 4' wide closet, and i worked on my 5' x 9' balcony. Smaller projects obviously were easier, but i could handle pieces up to about six feet long without an issue. My largest project was around 3' x 3' x 7'.

[ironhat]

Just a quick return to carving. There are several types of carving such as relief, characature, figures, etc. My wife and I took an extension service course in carving over the winter and had a great time learning to do things with a single knife. Of course, for the more sophisticated looks and complicated details the members of the carving clug, who put on the course, loaned out their tools. Boy, do those guys love tools and we're speaking mostly of knives! Who knew that there were so many. Then, we went to a carving show and watched a gentleman turn a 8" diameter limb into a walking stick with a snake winding its way up the stick and the snake's head was the handle. They judge on craftsmanship as well as the accuracy of the animal, bird or reptile represented as well. My point is that as complicated as this or anything looks just break it down into maneageable pieces and learn the basics from someone who knows the skill set.

[cabinetman]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Get yourself a band saw. It has a small footprint. Then you can make band saw boxes.
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