Starting woodworking, need wood recommendations.?

Hello there,

The types of wood are pretty much a matter of personal preference. Usually when you design your project, you have a type of wood that it would look best in. Also, availability may factor into your decision. Buying lumber on-line seems like an expensive way to go. I would check out the local lumber yards to see what sort of hardwoods they stock. There are some woodworking shops in larger towns that handle exotic lumbers. Even though they tend to be pricey, that is still probably cheaper than buying on line and paying freight to have the lumber shipped.

The types of tools you need depends on what type of projects you have in mind. If you are making small knickknack items, you can get buy with hand tools. If you are making furniture or cabinets, you are going to need some larger tools. In the latter case, you will need a good thickness planer. Otherwise, you have to pay the lumberyard to plane it down to your desired thickness.

Belt sanders can be difficult to use on larger pieces. If you are not careful they dig in while you are sanding. Table type belt sanders are much better in that regard. A router, perhaps a plunge type router may be useful even on small projects. A drill press is always useful. For small projects a jig saw or scroll saw is useful.

By the way, cherry can be difficult to work especially for beginners. It is very hard and burns easily. Walnut, oak and maple are always good choices. And those are generally easy to buy. I suggest you do some driving around to see if you can find an old fashion lumber yard. Not a big chain like Home Depot, Menards or Lowes. If you can find one, go in and talk with them about what types of hardwoods they handle. Explain you are starting woodworking and looking for some lumber. Do have a rough idea of the type of projects you plan to build. (that is, cabinets and furniture or small crafty items). That will help them find lumber to fit your needs.

Later,

I just came across a site with over 16,000 downloadable woodworking plans at:

http://tinyurl.com/WoodWorkingTedPlans

Here is an honest review

If you want to start a woodworking project, you need all the necessary information, including schematics, blueprints, materials lists, dimensions etc. That is where TedsWoodworking comes in. The plans are clearly drawn and there're step-by-step explainations of how the plan should be done and put together.

There are several other sites whose collection of plans have the dimensions totally wrong without any indication of parts lists, material lists or the tools needed. If you're one of those people who have bought plans like this in the past, TedsWoodworking will change your perception.

In Ted's Woodworking you will get everything you need:

-Diagrams which are detailed with a full set of dimensions

-Step -by-step instructions how to start your project

-The necessary materials for that particular project

-All the woodworking tools you will need

If you are a beginner or have done some woodworking you will find these plans easy-to-follow as the instructions are very clearly written. The woodworking plans are straightforward so they are not complicated at all. Even if you are a total newcomer to woodworking you will simply be able to master all the techniques that are needed and the woodworking skills very quickly by following the concise and clear instructions.

Another thing which is so great about these woodworking plans is that there have been some videos included and there are some to guide you in how to build benches home furniture dog houses bird feeders sheds and much much more.

There is also a lifetime member acess included in the package and you get these extras for no cost to you as they are free with no additional charges at all! This alone is worth the entire price for TedsWoodworking.

Ted Mcgrath is a very dedicated and experienced woodworker who knows what he is talking about when it comes to woodworking and DIY projects s he has been a woodworker for many many years.

Cons

There is only one drawback that we could find and that being with 16,000 woodworking plans you are bound to get some which look a little disorganized but that is understandable as it is very difficult to place all these plans into their proper categories. Secondly, it might take you a little longer to do the downloads on because of the size of them. But the members area include an option to upgrade to the DVD so you can save time on downloading.

Bottom line:

Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.Here's the bottom line: If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you SHOULD use, it's something that you would be insane not to.

Check the site: http://tinyurl.com/WoodWorkingTedPlans

If you are a beginner or have done some woodworking you will find these plans easy-to-follow as the instructions are very clearly written. The woodworking plans are straightforward so they are not complicated at all. Even if you are a total newcomer to woodworking you will simply be able to master all the techniques that are needed and the woodworking skills very quickly by following the concise and clear instructions. Another thing which is so great about these woodworking plans is that there have been some videos included and there are some to guide you in how to build benches home furniture dog houses bird feeders sheds and much much more.

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Worlds Largest Collection Woodworking Plans - http://woodworking.naturallysaver.com/

I'm in the same position - just beginning.

I make my projects from a cutlist, and figure 100% waste.

That means, I buy twice the material I anticipate using.

Softer, easier to work wood like Alder is an excellent starting material.

Poplar is relatively inexpensive as well, and works readily by hand or machine.

I don't recommend using any tropical hardwood at the start, many of these have natural insect repellents in their oils that are carcinogens, when airborne. That's less a problem with hand tooling.

Mcgrath is a very dedicated and experienced woodworker who knows what he is talking about when it comes to woodworking and DIY projects s he has been a woodworker for many many years. Read here https://tr.im/pDvtn

There is also a lifetime member acess included in the package and you get these extras for no cost to you as they are free with no additional charges at all!

Diy Stepbystep Woodworking Course : http://woodworkingshappy.com/Help

The most superior information I found when I started woodworking was with Vox Wood Plans, google it. I still finding them useful now that I'm advanced.

The best thing you can buy for your shop is some Woodworking magazines. Almost all the magazines have tips and techniques. The also have some nice projects and some have tool reviews. Good Luck Moskie257