I am not really a fan of answering a question with a question since I find it annoying. But after 4-5 years of answering woodworking inquiries from thousands of woodworkers around the world, I have come to realize there are just some questions that I cannot answer accurately without knowing significantly more about YOU. As a result, if you were to ask me any of the following questions, you will most likely NOT receive a direct answer. Instead, I will send you a series of questions in return that only YOU have the answers to.
What finish should I use?
The world of finishing can be a daunting one. My goal has always been to simplify things as much as possible. So although there are lots of different finishes out there, I believe you are better off sticking with one (at least in the beginning). Too many people jump from finish to finish hoping to find that magic bullet. Instead they find that they achieve mediocre results with every finish they get their hands on! The reality is that just about any film finish will work for pretty much all interior furniture. The real trick is learning how to apply it properly for every given situation. For instance, using a standard polyurethane you can create anything from a low lustre natural look to a high gloss hard-wearing bar top finish. Its all in how you apply it.
So I usually recommend that you use whatever finish you have the best chance of applying successfully. I don’t care if its water-based, oil-based, or solvent-based. Of course at some point you’ll start getting the urge to experiment, but try to resist until you can safely say you have at least one particular finish under your belt.
What project should I make?
This is a little like asking someone what you should cook for dinner. How do you typically make that decision? You probably start by thinking about what you’re in the mood for. Do you have any particular cravings right now? Of course, you can’t just let your cravings be your guide, right? Maybe you have special dietary needs that will help direct your menu. How about ingredients? Do you have all the vegetables and protein you need to actually make the meal you have in mind? And finally, you have to consider your tools and skills. Just because you like to eat fancy gourmet meals doesn’t necessarily mean you have the skill/tool set to prepare it.
To bring it back to woodworking, you might find that you are drawn to a particular technique or furniture style. These are your woodworking “cravings”. But its not always practical to build those things, so you should probably ask yourself what you actually need. If you are trying to justify your time in the shop to a loved one, there’s no better way than to actually make something useful! I know I’m not the only one out there with a honey-do list. This list could easily be considered your “woodworking dietary needs”. Of course you can’t build an authentic Greene & Greene reproduction without some mahogany, so its important that you have the right “woodworking ingredients” too. And finally, do you have the skills and tools to make the thing you want to make? If not, its time to get some practice and perhaps figure out alternative ways to get the job done that won’t break the bank.
What tool should I buy?
So you’re new to the craft and you have no clue where to start, but you know woodworking requires tools. So let’s start filling up that garage, right? WRONG! Slow down, take a deep breath, and let’s think about this. Woodworking is a huge area of interest with hundreds of little sub-categories. While some tools are fairly universal, others are very specific. If you want to turn pens, that’s going to be hard to accomplish without a lathe. If you plan on doing delicate scroll work, you won’t get far without a scroll saw. Furthermore, tools that were once considered requirements (I’m talking to you tablesaw) are now considered optional by many woodworkers. They instead prefer to use a combination of hand tools and a bandsaw. So depending on your personal tastes and goals, the entire complement of tools can change.
Some General Advice
In all likelihood, most of these are questions that you just aren’t prepared to answer yet. You simply don’t have enough experience under your belt. So what’s a new woodworker to do? I recommend you start by taking classes. There is no substitute for hands-on learning. Classes will increase your skill set while also introducing you to basic woodworking tools and their function. Next, you should be watching as many woodworking videos as you can. Lucky for you, they are plentiful and the vast majority are free. Heck, on my site alone we have about 150! I guarantee that if you actually watch all of these videos, you will be much more prepared to make smart tool purchases. Observation is a powerful thing!
A quick rule of thumb is if you don’t know what tool to buy next, then you probably don’t need it yet. When the need presents itself, buy the tool that addresses the need. Until then, start building stuff with the tools you have. You’ll be surprised how enlightening the process is.
1) shellac. Looks great, easy to apply, easy to repair. And it smells like a martini.
2) picture frames. They are quick to build but require an unappreciated level of precision. tight mitre joints are the roasted chicken of woodworking. Professional chefs say they can gauge another chef’s skill by how they roast a chicken. Similalry, good mitre joints are deceptively difficult to make. If you have a bit more time, start with simple flat stock and make up cool profiles with your router and table saw. it is lots of fun.
3) I will amend this question to “which tool should I buy after I think my shop is complete” and the answer is Jointer. I spend way too much time trying to make my tablesaw behave like a jointer. It is not.
I like Marc’s answer to (1).
The second answer is related: go to the garage and build something.
The third answer: Buy a new tool if you really, really can’t figure out how to build something without it. Go to Egypt and look at the Pharaoh’s full-sized funeral boat. Its joinery includes scarf joints and rope with knots.
Marc,
What question should I ask you?
Sorry couldn’t resist.
I would say get yourself a good tool guy and then troll the for sale adds for old tools for cheap. Bring them to your tool guy for maintenance and you are good to go. I got some old Beaver Rockwell tools, heavy duty with usually one owner and they work really well with a weight you usually can’t get these days. My table saw was $200 with another $150 in tuning up costs.
So Marc I was wondering if you could help me out. I just got my tax return and was thinking I should buy a new tool to build my next project with finish that will hold up anything. It would be great if you could tell me the exact tool I need (preferably a link to Amazon so I can just place it my cart) and some plans with a detailed list of wood and finish I need to buy (again a link to an online source so I can get exactly what I need).
Thanks oh Master of All Things Wooden
STEVE, I was going to ask the same thing! I hope Marc answers your question, because I’m going to build the same thing from the plan’s list of wood to use with the same great tool that I’m going buy, and of course finish it the same way as you! I must be just like YOU!
Tim
I guess the first q should be what do i want to build,cabinets maybe,i can do that with a tablesaw,dato blades, pocket hole jig and a sander maybe a router.speaking of tablesaws,alot of online wworkers say buy a cabinetsaw$$$,i have a good quality contractor saw ,tuned-up with a good fence&blade ,does anything i need it to do and thats a $2000 saving(cdn of course) maybe you want to actually build furniture well that would be a longer list .I would start with a set of decent chisels about$50 a good or better quality block plane $75plus somthing to sharpen them with .Than a tablesaw,bandsaw some small inexpensive tools are good like card scrapers,marking gauges etc the list goes on and on but your first consideration is budget.As far as finishs go there is no 1 finish for all ,only give the piece the amount of protection it needs for instance a walnut mirror frame,shellac&wax looks great,for giving pieces a decent amount of protection without to much of that plastic look i like to make my own wipe-on finish with varsol,boiled linseed&varnish mixed there are also other procedures to highlight figured woods .wipe-on finishes tend to be more user friendly .oh ya don,t forget some good reading material
I am fairly new to wood working and I like the advise to…just get building! I have learned so much just building shop furniture with the tools I have. My tip is: incorporate techniques that you want to perfect. Nobody is going to be that critical of these projects either and you will end up with a functional piece. For example, I am looking to do my first piece using sheet goods. A while back while looking through Rockler, I saw dovetail jig stand. This was a perfect place to practice with plywood. Practice preventing tear out, edging, etc. As far as tools go, man has been working with wood longer than the power that has been around to run your shop. Some nice work has been done with less than the best. I would recommend that we encourage people to get into the hobby regardless of their budget, and It is difficult to appreciate the value of a great tool unless you have used a tool that is mediocre. Buy the best that you can afford and have a great time!
Excellent, and rather complete strategic advice. Right now, I’d say:
1. Sam Maloof Poly/ Oil
2. Whatever inspires you or you need
3. The best you can afford, in priority order as you need them
Poor tools can be a deterrent to making things since they almost force poor results. Get decent tools, or the best, and if you get poor results you know it’s you, so just keep at it and you’ll be able to match what you imagine to what you build.
Focus on making stuff you are excited about and can ‘t wait to show your friends. If you like modern, sculptural things then build that, even if the woodworking magazines don’t emphasize it.
And don’t forget to keep reading and watching The Wood Whisperer.
Personally, I think it’s best to build and outfit the ENTIRE shop before you make ANYTHING.
I don’t think it makes any financial sense to build out a complete shop before building anything. How would you know you enjoy it? Instead you should buy what you need when you need it. This makes the hobby more accessible to others.
I think Vic is joking. He went a slightly unconventional way of building his shop. :)
Oops guess I should have read that like an Onion article.
Now I thought the answers would be:
1. A simple varnish finish
2. The guild build
3. Powermatic and Festool
….you’re missing a golden marketing opportunity, lol!
I love the 2 festool tools I have. If I could afford it I would get more. That being said the mini Makita drills are great. Nice and lightweight and still lots of power. Which is great when I am using them constantly throughout the day.
Very good article Marc! I think the old adage of “You Get What You Pay For” is appropriate in this context. I would suggest doing research on any tool & always do a hands on trial before purchasing. You can visit any number of outlet stores or perhaps a freind has the tool that you are interested in. I mean would you purchase a vehicle without driving it first?
The well known name brands are always a good bet. I also agree with the others that getting in the shop & actually building something is the best start to successful woodworking. There is NO substitute for hands on experience. That’s why taking any type of woodworking class is recommended for anyone just starting out.
What I personally like about woodworking is that one does not have to be an “artist”, “sculpture”, or possess any high powered skills to enjoy the craft! If one puts tha time into learning & doing, they can build some very nice projects……
I would never be able to draw or paint a picture because I simply don’t have that talent. For the same reason, I can’t play an instrument. However, I can put together a very nice & functional Jewelry Box!
Steve
I wish I had a Festool Track saw before the table saw. It works so much better on plywood and my other circular saws chip out the ply.
So I should buy the Ryobi oscillating spindle sander, check. Anything else?
And my go-to finish should be a mixture of wipe on poly with oil and wax. Got it.
This is more great advice for a beginning woodwork Marc and company.
I’m starting out with just the basics for power tools and have been pretty successful. Meaning, I haven’t hurt myself and the projects I make my wife likes so she doesn’t mind if I buy more tools. I’m trying not to “scrimp on tools”, even though my ability may not necessitate the best, yet. I don’t want to buy a tool again later.
But I really want to buy a Ryobi, just cause I like the name. It’s so futuristic sounding and WWMD.
Great article, great advice. Thanks!!! :)
Aaron, you were so close. But the correct answer to #1 is of course “oil and wax”.
Only if the question was, “What substances are naturally secreted by the human body in areas none of us like to think about.”
That Marc, is just plain nasty.
I knew I could count on you, Rob. Thanks!
Hey! My first router was a Ryobi, as was my first table saw. Both are still in use — the router in my shop when I need a medium-sized router with a 1/4″ chuck and the table saw in my son-in-law’s garage for fixing-up-around-the-house service.
But I would also add, “Don’t scrimp on tools.” Beginners might not need top-of-the-line whatever, but they shouldn’t have to put up with crap, either. Buy the mid-priced name-brand tools (maybe even Ryobi;^) would be my advice . . . .
With all due respect, the answers to the questions are:
1. Wipe on Poly.
2. Whatever your wife wants you to make.
3. Anything not made by Ryobi.
Hah, I crack myself up.
Hey I have been happy with EVERY Ryobi tool I’ve owned. And that is exactly ONE tool. :) Their oscillating spindle sander was a steal at $100!
Alright I took an inventory and I will retract 50% of my Ryobi bashing.
Hammer Drill? Ok.
Cordless Drill? Ok.
Cordless Circular Saw? You’d get better results from a handheld beaver.
Router with 1/4″ collet that let the bit slip out the very first time it was used? Not so much.
But I’m not a hater!
Hah! :) Standing on a ladder 10 feet off the ground cutting a hole in my siding for a new window, I’ll take the Ryobi cordless circular saw any day before I carry a heavier saw attached to a power cord. With the lithium battery, it worked just fine! Would I use it on a “fine” wood working project? Not so much.
Great article Marc. Really puts things in perspective. I would add as someone new to woodworking but might not be relevant to the theme of this article. Practice every new technique until you are comfortable before doing it on the real project.
Amen brother, stop asking and start doing. Experience, good and bad is the best teacher. “We now know 1000 ways NOT to build a lightbulb.” –Thomas Alva Edison.
I really like this post Marc. Being in the chat area for about a year now I have also seen this pattern of questions repeat itself. Time and time again a new woodworker joins the chat room (including myself) and you can almost guarantee that thoughs questions will come up.
One thing that I have learned is that you can get so caught up in these questions of what style of furniture should I build, what tools do I need and I cant do this because I dont have the right equipment or skills. You get so focused on this that you forget why you started woodworking to begin with. My recomendation is also to watch as many videos as possible and read as much as you can and if possible go to classes, but my biggest suggestion is to “JUST START BUILDING”. Get into your shop however big or small with as many or as little tools that you have and get to work. Dont allow yourself to get to wrapped up into it, you can build amazing things with even the most limited tool set and skills. By building you will see what tools you need to do a task or make it more efficient. Best of all you will gain the skill you need by doing it with your hands and gaining that hands on experience that you cant get anywhere else.
I totally agree with Guy – just get in the shop and start building. That is by far the fastest way to learn the answers to all of the above questions. And of course get better at working wood.