Traps of The Home Woodworkers

There was no point to this turning. It was just some time with the lathe, focused on the using the skew for the first time.

There's nothing wrong with being lost. We just have to be honest about our situations. Never be afraid to set ambitious goals and aim high, that’s essential. My big recommendation to all home woodworkers is to not promise anyone anything until you are quite well practiced. If you’re not careful, this enjoyable and immersive craft can become an unpleasant demand.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, perhaps pick something really easy. A small freestanding bookcase, a bathroom cabinet, a side table. Really focus on making a good job of it and enjoying it. I’m not sure I have this is an ideology. People smarter than me would likely be able to discern if it is. Simply put I want, and I you, want to make things from wood and enjoy doing it.

It’s not unusual for woodworkers to share a joke about a scenario similar to the one set out below.

“We should buy this (insert item of furniture here), it's only £175”.

“No, leave that to me, I can make one for £520”

That's the truth, but let me guess, you said you could make it for the same or less money at a better quality. Why?

Well, I bought some nicer wood and a few extra tools that I’ve really needed for a long time, but it was totally worth it, right?

No, that's not honest. You liked the look of the piece of furniture and felt confident you could make it. You concealed the fact that you wanted to buy and use tools that more than likely you didn’t need. There is nothing wrong with this approach, but manage the other person's expectations.

Try this.

“We should buy this (insert item of furniture here), it's only £175”.

“You know, that's a great price. It'll do a job for a few years too. Actually I'd really like to make a better quality version and having this piece will help me iron out any design issues.”

This allows you to solve the problem and avoid the second situation which leads from your white lie where you said you could do better for less.

“Are you sure, because you said you'd make that bathroom cabinet, shoe rack and dining table and we still don't have those”

“I said I'd do it, there's no need to remind me every two months”

So initially you lied and now you're getting defensive. You're a great woodworker right? You're going to make heirloom furniture using heirloom tools to last generations. But so far you have nothing to show for it apart from an ideology.

“Okay, I understand that quality takes time but can we hurry it up a little”

“Well, if I had more space, perhaps a stand alone building or all of the garage I could build this really solid workbench. The guy I follow says a really heavy workbench is a game changer.”

And abandon all hope in 3…2…1…💥.

Remember you can’t sit on an ideology, nor can you store physical items within it. Your hard work and creativity will be the action that helps you within your environment. Does this post have a flavour of my own experience? Not so much but I understand why people can fall into the trap.

Knowing you have the ability and potential to make something superior to what you have is not great, it can even be a little frustrating. But honestly, there are much bigger problems in the world. I’ll work at home in my own time and do the best I can. If you’re looking for “ideology lite”, perhaps it might be worth a look.