I have always loved learning new things from other people ... I still love this and I am still learning new things every day, but now I find myself wanting to give back to others what I have learned along the way, and this video is a quick synopsis of things that I wish I had learned much earlier in my wood working adventures ...
The video is only 14 minutes long, not long enough to describe some of the details so I will share what's NOT in the video here ...
Squares in woodworking, often overlooked and super important. I made the mistake when I first started outfitting my shop with tools, to save money and purchase that Tri-Square or Combination square, thinking they were all accurate. They aren't. Only if you purchase quality, more expensive combinations squares are they accurate, like Starrett for example, you can see the smaller one in the left side other picture which IS an accurate Starrett. The other square in the left hand side with a wooden handle, also inaccurate ... why? because the steel blade is riveted to a wooden handle, that swells and shrinks (like all wood does) and in the coarse or shrinking and swelling makes the blade less or more than 90 degrees, totally unreliable, I keep it to show people what NOT to purchase.
Here is a quality steel square from the Woodworkweb Amazon store, view it by clicking HERE
Tape measures are ALWAYS needed in the workshop, purchase 2 of them that read the same, I wrap colored tape on mine so I know where they live, table saw, sliding mitre and work bench, I use magnets under the belt clip to attach them to metal plates. I never need to go looking for measuring tape ... you can find these at Lee Valley (I do not sell these) Look for LEFT or RIGHT reading tapes.
The MOST IMPORTANT PART OF ANY TOOL is the bit or blade. This is the part the cuts the wood ! Purchasing better quality blades means better quality cuts, less sanding and fussing around with poor quality saw or bit cuts or having to disguise them with strips or wood because of fuzzy cuts. AND they almost always last longer than cheap blades (which are not rechargeable) which makes them cheaper to own in the end, and all the while giving better quality cuts.
Some of the saw blades I prefer are Freud Diablo through the woodworkweb Amazon Store and Ridge Blades available through the woodworkweb Taylor Tool Works Affiliation
Moisture meters. When I bought my first moisture meter ( the pinned one in the picture) there was very little selection and they were expensive. Later on I purchased the surface reading Wagner Meter ... I confess ... I have can't remember the last time I used the pin meter, was surprised the battery was still good.
I really like the Blue model they have, less expensive and does what 95% of what woodworkers need, moisture reading up to 1 inch deep into the wood. Available from the woodworkweb Amazon Page HERE
And last but by no means least Dowelmax doweling jig. This tool changed my woodworking direction within 1o minutes of me receiving the tool. I love this tool and use it on ALL my woodworking. I makes very strong joints, it is relatively inexpensive to purchase and works like a damn ... can I say that. I do NOT sell these, but highly recommend the Dowelmax company who makes and sells them. This tool alone saved me from purchasing a Mortising Machine, a Biscuit Joiner and a table saw Tenon Cutter (which everyone hates, lots for sale used if you want one).
A super versatile tool, check it out at Dowelmax
The real joy of woodworking is in the accomplishment. If woodworking is tedious, hard and frustrating ... who wants to particiate in that? Lucky for me, I stuck with it and learned as I went, but wasted a lot of time doing it ... looking back, I wish I had been able to associate with other woodworkers in clubs and guilds and learned from then, but now I share what I have learned in hopes others will have an easier, more enjoyable time.
Colin Knecht
woodworkweb
- - Taylor Tools Affiliate Store - https://lddy.no/18zkg
