I have finally but my money where my mouth is, and signed up for a woodworking course..
I knew that all we do in this introductory class is make a shelf , but I had to start somewhere. Surprisingly, the shelf is all you need to use all the machinery in the shop. After an introduction about wood, the various kinds and grades…and how to “read” a piece of wood we were ready to start! I was amazed to see that when you look at a thin sliver of wood through the light, it looks like fabric…like one of those elastoplast fabric bandages…
We were presented with 8 ft long planks of rough knotty pine. We had to measure and cut ourselves a piece that did not have cracks or bad knots on the radial arm saw (or something like that). Then we moved to the band saw to cut that plank in half lengthwise. Finally we had to make the sides square by planing them. We had to make several passes for that one…. Lots of big noisy machines!!! I am still intimadated…but enjoying every minute and looking forward to tomorrow…The concept of making furniture out of your own hands is very empowering.
My classmates form a varied group, one woman is a “knowitall” wearing very tight jeans who keeps challenging everything the teacher says…the other women are like me…novice, quiet and a tad intimidated. Among the men, one has tattoes, one drives a Harley, one has dirty feet and is missing a tooth in front…right up my alley!!! Thank goodness nobody showed up wearing a sleeveless undershirt.
How I love the smell of wood…