Anyone into woodworking? Pics!

Posts
838
Likes
3,275
Anyone into woodworking? This has always been a passion of mine but to be honest this bookshelf is one of the largest undertakings I've done to date. Built this for my son's 1st birthday. We'll be moving it into his bedroom and it will house his growing library of books. Eventually I'll build a matching toy box and probably night stand/dresser.

Thought I'd share. Its 36" x 60" and made from 3/4" knotty Alder (love the grain in this wood!). Finished with minwax Provincial 211 stain and a few coats of polyurethane. The middle shelves are independent and adjustable up and down 1.5" each way.

Edited:
 
Posts
15,644
Likes
46,691
I was at an exhibition of a group of specialist woodworkers at a local mall, over this past week end. I had no idea there was such talent around as to fabricate some of the drop-dead gorgeous projects there was for the public to view. The only thing that results from any of my woodworking projects is sawdust! This is a bird's eye view of the exhibit. On display were items ranging from ornaments to full sized furniture. I spent about an hour reviewing the displayed items, and talking to several of the members whose works were on display. One class of item that was on display was made up of items made from a single piece of 2 x 4 lumber! Unbelievable!

A credit to you for the splendid job on the cabinet for your son’s room. And thanks for sharing.

 
Posts
2,773
Likes
4,382
A childhood friend of mine is a cabinet maker. Mostly high end stuff for wealthy clients all over the UK. Joseph joined the Royal Marines when he left school at 16. After 9 years he left and started doing carpentry. He and my brother, who is also a carpenter worked together for a few years and then he started making furniture. He has no formal qualifications and is self taught but his work is amazing. I tried uploading some photos from his website but they wouldn't upload. His website is: www.joseffsamuel.com
 
Posts
120
Likes
225
Nice work kstateskier, the stain reminds me of a story..

I have a good friend who owns a joinery business, his father builds large, top spec houses and was employed to build a mansion on a remote peninsular for a very wealth Russian.

The guys wife was in charge of interior design and they settled on building all the cabnitry and bedrooms furniture out of swamp Kauri, its timber that has been buried in peat bogs for upto 40,000 years and fetches upto 10,000USD per cube. https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/swamp-kauri/

My mate duly purchased an astronomical amount of milled slabs and set about making bespoke furnishings and cabinetry for this large palatial house, he sent progress photos to the Russians wife, who didn't like the stunning grain pattern and colour of the Kauri, so had him stain every single piece jet black ???

He might as well have used pinus radiata 🙁
 
Posts
15,644
Likes
46,691
A childhood friend of mine is a cabinet maker. Mostly high end stuff for wealthy clients all over the UK. Joseph joined the Royal Marines when he left school at 16. After 9 years he left and started doing carpentry. He and my brother, who is also a carpenter worked together for a few years and then he started making furniture. He has no formal qualifications and is self taught but his work is amazing. I tried uploading some photos from his website but they wouldn't upload. His website is: www.joseffsamuel.com


FIFY. One example of Josef’s work.

 
Posts
6,911
Likes
12,719
The only phrase I remembered while visiting wood artists = Sometimes woodwork is held together by Woodworms holding hands 😉
 
Posts
838
Likes
3,275
finally got it moved into my son's room the other night and stocked with all his books! It fits perfect. Here's hoping he doesn't leave it in his dorm room after I'm dead.

 
Posts
946
Likes
11,163
Didn't build this myself but helped design and stain a few years ago; local guys that re-purpose antiques & farm equipment.
Table top and bench are solid oak from the floor boards of an old barn before being town down; table base is an old cast iron drafting table that can be raised or lowered. The damn thing weighs an insane amount, but these old houses were built to withstand a nuclear blast so should be ok.
 
Posts
838
Likes
3,275
Another recent project. Built this toy box for my son for Christmas. Also made from knotty Alder to match his bookshelf. Really digging the Rockler torsion hinges that allow the lid to open at any angle and can't slam closed and hurt any little fingers.

Anyway pics for your enjoyment!

 
Posts
106
Likes
103
Beautiful work gents. Woodworking is something I’ve wanted to start dabbling with. Any recommendations on must have tools for someone just starting off into the hobby ?
 
Posts
838
Likes
3,275
Beautiful work gents. Woodworking is something I’ve wanted to start dabbling with. Any recommendations on must have tools for someone just starting off into the hobby ?
IMO you can do alot with a simple miter saw and table saw. Doesn't have to be the most expensive tools on the market but I will offer a piece of advice. Whatever tools you buy spend the time to ensure they're setup correctly and are square and true. Read the owners manual for setup and safety. Be sure to practice safe operation - toughest thing for new woodworkers.

Replace the stock blades with the best you can afford, higher tooth counts and higher quality blades. I like Freud and Diablo blades, nothing less than 60 tooth. I run 90 tooth on my compound sliding miter and a 100 on my cabinet saw.

What kind of woodwork do you want to do?
 
Posts
106
Likes
103
IMO you can do alot with a simple miter saw and table saw. Doesn't have to be the most expensive tools on the market but I will offer a piece of advice. Whatever tools you buy spend the time to ensure they're setup correctly and are square and true. Read the owners manual for setup and safety. Be sure to practice safe operation - toughest thing for new woodworkers.

Replace the stock blades with the best you can afford, higher tooth counts and higher quality blades. I like Freud and Diablo blades, nothing less than 60 tooth. I run 90 tooth on my compound sliding miter and a 100 on my cabinet saw.

What kind of woodwork do you want to do?
Thanks for the advice I will definitely keep it in mind. Well for the time being starting off with simple projects like shelving for our garage and closet would be my start. However I’d like to jump into making basic furniture like coffee tables, shelves , drawers , foot lockers, etc. preferably would like to learn how to make hidden compartments for storing valuables in these projects . ( don’t have a safe at the moment but plan on purchasing l one soon ) but I do believe in hiding objects in plain sight. Any additional input would be appreciated. As I said I’m a rookie to it all but wouldn’t mind another hobby / being more self reliant.
 
Posts
5,076
Likes
15,700
Not fine cabinetry, but I made a case for my TV out of a gate that I found in the lane way. This was a few years ago, but just “noticed” it again when mucking about with the AppleTV behind it. the angle of the photo makes it look a bit crooked, but it isn’t IRL.