Making Furniture
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- 19 Responses
- Centigrade
Any good web resources you know of for learning how to build furniture? I reached the point where I just can't find anything well made at a reasonable price. Impossible to find decent chest of drawers!
- johnny_wobble0
you got a full wood shop for this?
- Centigrade0
I've got a decent enough workshop. And I'll get tools / borrow from neighbours as required.
- d_rek0
There's tons of DIY references out there.
I haven't found any definitive guides / papers on best practices. Rough carpentry will take you a long way. Plan it out on paper first, measure twice, cut once.
- Centigrade0
Yep. Lot's of good stuff out there for. I was hoping there was a site I hadn't found yet that had good clear and practical info... just looking for suggestions really.
- d_rek0
I'm doing a desktop right now. The most difficult part is figuring out how to assemble so that you're not looking at nail-heads and screws on the exterior surfaces. Finish Nails are your friend.
I've thought about doing some other items: Coffee table, entertainment center / tv stand, tables.
- Centigrade0
My grandfather was a cabinet maker and his stuff is still rock solid after 60/70 years. Thats what I'm after... furniture for a lifetime.
- sine0
i did a cabinet-making apprenticeship in my mid 20s...
i'd say you're biggest obstacle will be access to a large table saw and a planer (unless you choose to have you're timber cut to size and planed at the supplier).for professional assembly look into 'biscuits' and a 'biscuit router/cutter'.
this is what a biscuit looks like:
biscuit router/cutter:
- elahon0
Look for classes. I took a carpentry class from a local company that does AWESOME work using old-world methods. We all made shaker tables from raw maple and ebony pegs. Not a screw in the whole thing. I think it was an 8 week class, and only about $80. The table came out great and is and is used everyday in our house.
- bulletfactory0
Email your nearest Amish community.
- Mennonites round here :)Centigrade
- ugh - they only do things half-assed - they drive cars and shop at Walmart.bulletfactory
- sine0
- sine0
also try approaching a local workshop. just go speak to the foreman about your project... they're usually very willing to help people who are interested in their craft. may even let you use their equipment after hours and give a hand.
- Centigrade0
All good advice. Perhaps a course is the way to go... to get started. Cheers people.
- melq0
I'm a self-taught woodworker and have been building furniture for years. There are so many resources available that you can quite easily make terrific headway starting today—regardless of the tools you have or experience.
Online:
LumberJocks—http://www.lumberjoc...
Wood's Forum—http://community.woodmagaz...
r/Woodworking—http://woodworking...
The Wood Whisperer—http://thewoodwhispere...Magazines:
Fine Woodworking—http://www.finewoodw...
Popular Woodworking—http://www.popularwo...
Wood Magazine—http://www.woodmagazine...Books:
Taunton Press—http://www.tauntonstore.co...
Lost Art Press—http://www.lostartpress.co...If I can help in any way, go ahead and email me. I'd be happy share anything I know.
- legendCentigrade
- And there it is, the one tool you absolutely have to have: patience. Sometimes things just don't go as you expected them to.melq
- ...them to.melq
- moldero0
try to get in as an apprentice somewhere, or if you know a guy who does this (me was my dad) work along side him, better than any course you can take.
- melq0
Yoi—links again:
Online:
LumberJocks
http://www.lumberjocks.comWood's Forum
http://community.woodmagazine.co…r/Woodworking
http://woodworking.reddit.comThe Wood Whisperer
http://thewoodwhisperer.com/Magazines:
Fine Woodworking
http://www.finewoodworking.comPopular Woodworking
http://www.popularwoodworking.co…Wood Magazine
http://www.woodmagazine.comBooks:
Taunton Press
http://www.tauntonstore.com/wood…Lost Art Press
http://www.lostartpress.com
- JackRyan0
Go to these guys and sign up for their catalog...awesome woodworking tools. The catalogs are great to look even if you never actually buy anything from them.
http://leevalleytools.com/
- Centigrade0
Wow just went into Lee Valley at lunch! Amazing place! And friendly staff. Such a change from Home depot.