Publisher’s note: Welcome to Earlywood, a free excerpt from one of the thousands of pieces I’ve written since 1996, which we share without shame every Saturday.
I still have the first two pieces of furniture I built 40 years ago (set of shelves for records an some stereo equipment). Construction grade 1-by, nails, and lots of putty. They have been repurposed and repaired a few times, and now they hang in my shop as storage, and as a reminder of where I started.
My first 'project' was a bookcase built in an on base woodshop on Fort Sam Houston... where I must have had some help .. it isn't beautiful... But it functions to this day ...
I have built a number of projects that were used for their intended purpose and then I wanted to throw them into the brush pile which I burn periodically.
A few pieces were rescued by my sons to my dismay and I get to view them when I go visit much to my dismay. They are in the new homeowner stage of life and these “ objects” are still better than IKEA or actually shelling out bucks for something else. I guess the positive side is I’m reminded of my mistakes but my brain screams “ what garbage is this! “ every time I see these things.
My reversible drill from Sears lasted about an hour, it just melted. You did well to get a year out of yours.
Omg reading this reminded of the time I tried to make a finger jointed dresser and I put a screw in every single rectangle because the joints wouldn't come together. Did not realize I had repressed that. Anyways... moving on.
To quote my mentor, "if you already knew how to do it, you could skip school and just hang out your shingle". One of his many words of advice, that, you have to start somewhere, and the first 500 attempts are difficult, the next 500, a little less difficult. I often repeat this to my kids in his heavy Russian accent, it adds to the flavor, in addition to the wisdom.
I had a number of these from my early years in furniture making. But you know what I found? Even these earlier, execrable pieces were so much better than mass-made Walmart furniture, my friends snapped them up and still use them. So on the rare occasion I go into their houses, I am confronted by my failures, as well as forced to recognize those early pieces' utility. Which reminds me why I started building furniture in the first place.
It's articles and comments like these that I share with my students when they bring their "non-perfect" projects up to me for grading. I encourage them and tell them to keep making crappy stuff and eventually it'll turn into great stuff.
I still have my first four legged stool out in my workshop to keep me humble when I start to call myself a professional chairmaker...
My first 'woodworking' project in the 70s was a tipsy shaker style step stool. I got the plans from some magizene long since gone. It's terrible to look at, glued and nailed together pine with some sort of clear finish that's long gone. The thing is terrible to use. It'll flip you off like a springy swimming pool board if your feet aren't placed exactly right. Yet, it's still hanging around occasionally put to use. I cringe every time I look at it and say a prayer every time I think about using it.
I made a dovetailed one that is nice to look at...but equally tipsy! (One of my cats uses it to get on my bed – unless it's against a wall, I'm convinced cats are all that design is meant for!)
I still have the first two pieces of furniture I built 40 years ago (set of shelves for records an some stereo equipment). Construction grade 1-by, nails, and lots of putty. They have been repurposed and repaired a few times, and now they hang in my shop as storage, and as a reminder of where I started.
My first 'project' was a bookcase built in an on base woodshop on Fort Sam Houston... where I must have had some help .. it isn't beautiful... But it functions to this day ...
But where did the Breyer horses go?
No picture of the offending piece? That would be the way to own the shame, but still leave it in the past.
I have built a number of projects that were used for their intended purpose and then I wanted to throw them into the brush pile which I burn periodically.
A few pieces were rescued by my sons to my dismay and I get to view them when I go visit much to my dismay. They are in the new homeowner stage of life and these “ objects” are still better than IKEA or actually shelling out bucks for something else. I guess the positive side is I’m reminded of my mistakes but my brain screams “ what garbage is this! “ every time I see these things.
My reversible drill from Sears lasted about an hour, it just melted. You did well to get a year out of yours.
Omg reading this reminded of the time I tried to make a finger jointed dresser and I put a screw in every single rectangle because the joints wouldn't come together. Did not realize I had repressed that. Anyways... moving on.
Did your daughter get a replacement chest?
I'm going to build one that will make the "trough" look cover worthy.
To quote my mentor, "if you already knew how to do it, you could skip school and just hang out your shingle". One of his many words of advice, that, you have to start somewhere, and the first 500 attempts are difficult, the next 500, a little less difficult. I often repeat this to my kids in his heavy Russian accent, it adds to the flavor, in addition to the wisdom.
I had a number of these from my early years in furniture making. But you know what I found? Even these earlier, execrable pieces were so much better than mass-made Walmart furniture, my friends snapped them up and still use them. So on the rare occasion I go into their houses, I am confronted by my failures, as well as forced to recognize those early pieces' utility. Which reminds me why I started building furniture in the first place.
I’ve made a few chests over the years
The most recent was completed a month ago.
I tried hand cutting the dovetails, which I suck at, twice. The end result was a chest a couple of inches shorter than planned.
I was pissed after the last set of failed
Dovetails.
There was a lock miter bit already set up in the router table …….
Wife loves it
It's articles and comments like these that I share with my students when they bring their "non-perfect" projects up to me for grading. I encourage them and tell them to keep making crappy stuff and eventually it'll turn into great stuff.
I still have my first four legged stool out in my workshop to keep me humble when I start to call myself a professional chairmaker...
We older, less attractive persons, with thinning hair on top and arthritic finger joints, still have our uses. Thanks for reminding us., Chris.
May we all perish the haunting thoughts of our early woodworking projects.
Thanks Chris.
Cheers,
Michael
My first 'woodworking' project in the 70s was a tipsy shaker style step stool. I got the plans from some magizene long since gone. It's terrible to look at, glued and nailed together pine with some sort of clear finish that's long gone. The thing is terrible to use. It'll flip you off like a springy swimming pool board if your feet aren't placed exactly right. Yet, it's still hanging around occasionally put to use. I cringe every time I look at it and say a prayer every time I think about using it.
I made a dovetailed one that is nice to look at...but equally tipsy! (One of my cats uses it to get on my bed – unless it's against a wall, I'm convinced cats are all that design is meant for!)
All woodworkers have a finger joint phase? I did!