Resources for learner

snipsnip · Post by **snipsnip** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:36 pm

Hi,

I have made a few pieces of basic furniture using my imagination and a lot of botching, and really want to start making more things seriously, learning proper joinery techniques.

Can anyone recommend any good books? There seem to be lots out there, but that could simply mean im more likley to make the wrong choice.

Also - what should I think about having in my starters tool kit.

Thanks a lot in advance.
Really appreciate it.
Jake

apprenticejim · Post by **apprenticejim** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:55 pm

Do you mean tools for building furniture or just in general for joinery/building work?

You've got the obvious basics, hammer,drill, saw etc etc

When i first started my apprenticeship i spent half my wages on tools each week, until i got everything i need.

How old are you?

snipsnip · Post by **snipsnip** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:34 pm

Well I want to get into joinery eventually

Im 24, working in Project Management and earning good money, but I really really want to get out and retrain in carpentry. But I dont really know where to start other than teaching myself the basics....

And yeah, ive got all the basic handy man tools, nut not much capentry specific stuff.

Cheers

joiner_uk · Post by **joiner_uk** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:08 pm

Maybe you could post up some pics of your work for us to see?

apprenticejim · Post by **apprenticejim** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:27 pm

are you looking to get qualified?

Your best bet is to get on with someone and learn from them.

fin · Post by **fin** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:00 pm

ive been working as a builder for 11 years. im 27. ive mainly done joinery.

today i was paid a visit by a local college guy. doing my nvq in wood ocupations through the college and i never have to even go to the college which is a good thing. it goes on past experience etc and ill get nvq level 2 and a cscs card at the end

carhartt kid · Post by **carhartt kid** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:08 pm

Hey Snipsnip.

Axminster http://www.axminster.co.uk/ do a great range of books, DVDs and project kits. I'd recommend taking time one weekend, and driving down to a well stocked stoire like theirs and actually getting a hands on look at the books. I've a bit of book and magazine fetish and have a study full of the damn things. Its a painfull lesson buying a book, getting it delivered and then finding out its a load of crap. There are so many books out there that have been written by complete numpty's and aren't worth the paper their printed on!!!

Anyways.. New Yankee Workshop....Norm Abraham. He's a bit of a nutter, but his TV shows are great inspiration. He does project packs that you can progress through, from basic to expert. They're available from some British suppliers. Links are on his site.

http://www.newyankee.com/index.php

Also Yandles of Martock do open days and training. As well as supplying tools, wood and shop equipment. They can be dead handy!

http://www.yandles.co.uk/

I'm gonna be heading down there for the Trend demo day.
http://www.yandles.co.uk/autumnal-events08.html
The cafe there is great and the place can suck you in for the whole day easily. I sometimes have to head outside for a break and a coffee and then head back in for another four hour tool browse. You can learn so much from just looking at tools, tooling and cutters etc.. You sometimes see something and it goes "bing"....."so that how you do that...bugger me!!!"

Id also suggest having a look at the Chippendale College. Expensive, but a great place to get some inspiration. Have a look through their student galleries. Some very nice stuff there!!!

http://www.chippendale.co.uk/index.html

..........................................................................................................

Fin. Nice one mate! You're doing the OSAT. Its quite satisfying isn't it. Finally getting the recognition for the time you've served and the work you do. I loved it. Got my certificates in frames up on the wall! Well chuffed!

Gadget · Post by **Gadget** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:41 pm

How can you say Norm Abraham is a nutter?.......he's a first class craftsman and a perfectionist!..

lockie · Post by **lockie** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:52 pm

I think you need to decide exactly what it is you want to do.A carpenter,joiner and cabinet maker are all different things in my mind.The skills can cross over but all specialise in different areas of woodwork.
Many years ago i did a c&g in cabinet making but i know nothing about structural woodwork like some of the guys on here.
Be clear about what you want to learn then go for it.
Is furniture your thing ? Is it structural stuff ?

Im sure you get what im saying.

carhartt kid · Post by **carhartt kid** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:37 pm

Gadget: Nutter used in the nicest way. I mean he's a little eccentric looking, and he uses stacked dado cutters without the guard on!!!!!

You're right, I agree, he's very very good at what he does. Not sure its the sort of stuff I'd make if I had a set-up like his!

I think snipsnip mentioned in the first line of his post that he has made a few pieces of furniture, but wants to learn and get better. Not sure where he mentioned structural carpentry.

Anyways. Theres nothing better than good bit of official training. Have you had a look at college courses. They do some very good full and part time courses nowadays!

fin · Post by **fin** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:09 pm

carhartt kid wrote:
Fin. Nice one mate! You're doing the OSAT. Its quite satisfying isn't it. Finally getting the recognition for the time you've served and the work you do. I loved it. Got my certificates in frames up on the wall! Well chuffed!

yeah ive been meaning to do it for ages. but for me the thing that held me back was having to go to college for the day release stuff.

is that how you got your qualifications?

theres loads of stuff i could probably ask you about once ive read through the portfolio ive got at home.

Ohh and yeah your right norm is a total nutter. shame ive not seen his shows on sky in ages. my mam even used to watch his shows when he was on

snipsnip · Post by **snipsnip** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:10 am

Thanks for everyone who has taken the time to reply, I really appreciate it.

To those who recommended resources, especially carharrt kid, i will take a look at those in detail when I get home. Cheers

To those who said I need to decide what I want to do, you are also right! Part of my problem is that I dont know, as I am so inexperienced.

I know I have enjoyed all my little furniture projects immensely, and figure I may as well continue down that path unless I am swayed otherwise. I do know I get a lot of satisfaction from working with wood.

Apologies for being vague, but thats why ive come here... hopefully so I can be given a gentle push in the right direction! I THINK I want to get into the trade, but cant really afford to just drop a well paid job and start at the bottom. However, if this is the ONLY way, then I may be able to save for a few years, then revisit the idea.

Apprenticejim, when you say its best to get on with someone, how do you go about it? Just contact people and see if they will take you on? Are you expected to go unpaid for any period?

As requested, heres a pic of a desk i made for my studio (my other mistress).. but it was taken to show off some of my gear more than the desk itself, so theres not much to see. Ive made a couple of low bedside tables too, but have not taken pics of those.

Thanks again everyone.

apprenticejim · Post by **apprenticejim** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:45 pm

snip snip, before i started my apprenticeship i had to find an employer, i went on yell.com and thomson local and litterally rang about 150 different numbers, everyone was saying theres hardly no work or not enough to be taking on vacancies which is understandable with all this credit crunch stuff, i think about 5 guys were intrested, one of them lives round the corner from me so he agreed to take me on a trial. Iv been with him since.

No your not expected to work for free, im on £40 a day getting an increase soon though, not the best wage but had to accept if i wanted to get qualified.

I reckon the best bet is too ring a load of companies, just type in your location on yell.com and try some keywords like joiner, carpentry, bench and joiner etc, see what comes up. There will be plenty on there

Where are you in uk?

Good luck, hope you get sorted

snipsnip · Post by **snipsnip** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:24 pm

cheers mate.

im down in brighton. Problem is, im earning over 30k for the first time in my life and cant really take a massive drop in salary at the mo. This is why I want to spend my time teaching myself a few bits to start off with.

Thanks again for getting back to me.

apprenticejim · Post by **apprenticejim** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:40 pm

I understand mate, good luck with what ever you do