I've been contemplating writing this post for quite a long time now. This blog is called Things I've Made and that fact has made me hesitate to write this post about an in-progress project. But as this project continues to fill most of my maker life, I have a growing desire to get some of these thoughts to page and take a moment to celebrate my progress.
Okay, lets start from the top.
I am in the early stages learning hand tool woodworking, my excitement and passion is something I discuss in this blog post. Hand tool wood working is a craft that fills my heart just so. With few versatile tools (and some learned skill), you can create beautiful objects that will far outlive your soul.
Through my learning journey, it was soon imparted on me that a workbench is at the literal and metaphorical core of a good hand woodworking shop. It is your most used tool and is likely used in some way for nearly every operation. And I do not have one.
There are several ideas that need to be understood to get at the centre of my anguish over this project:
- You need a bench to build a bench, and again, I do not have one
- The workbench has to sturdy, heavy and functional. Skills are required to produce a useful bench, something I have no practice at… yet
- If it is to be at the core of my shop, then I need it to feel good under my hands and eyes.
After a lot of exploration into different workbenches and how I might build my own, I came across this design by Rex Krugger, and it manages to tick a lot of boxes including:
- Traditionally inspired bench design, meaning time tested strength
- As beginner friendly as a 'real' bench can be
- Affordable material costs
- Knock down design for when inevitably I need to move it.
Quick Stack Bench made by geoffx on Reddit
After purchasing the plans for Rex's bench design well over a year ago, I bought some reclaimed hoop pine from Woolloongabba Demolitions. Since then, it has been a slow journey through all the hurdles and challenges one faces when learning a craft on their own. I've found it all too easy to start an operation or task only to quickly discover:
- I have no idea how to use the tool I need
- The tool is not setup properly / needs repair and I don't know how to do that
- Or more commonly, both of the above.
I have faced so many painful setbacks and it has been incredibly difficult accepting that these 'set backs' are learning. Since learning is what I came here to do, I must stand strong and persevere.
But, let me tell you a story about what it has been like to learn to sharpen tools, a practice that I now understand is critical to enjoying using your tools. I watched probably about 15 YouTube videos about how to do it, with so many creators telling me every which way, often contradicting each other. I was scared to make the big purchase of decent stones because I simply didn't know what I was looking for.
Low and behold, after months of fucking around, I come across yet another life changing book by Chris Shwartz, Sharpen This.
I took several days to read and understand all of its demystifying information and let it inform how I purchased decent sharpening equipment. I spent hundreds on two good oil stones and a grinding wheel. I spent only $40 on a hand grinder, but it needed a week's worth of hobby time to get running smooth and to file it to fit a modern wheel size.
The grinder was owned by the seller's late father, I feel warmth in knowing he'd be pleased that his tool is getting use once more
Painstaking filing for the wheel to fit
Now that the easy bit was out of the way, I could now suffer learning such a tactile skill without the feedback of a teacher. Again, I wouldn't have been able to learn without the outstanding direction within Chris' book and I can only be filled with thankfulness that he wrote that publication.
Out of fear of messing up some of my nice tools, I purchased a rusty chisel in disrepair from a market for $3. This gave me to confidence to dive in and experience grinding a new bevel.
I didn't think it was even salvageable, but after many hand cramping hours of practice, its now my favourite chisel I own. My sharpening is still not anywhere near where I'd like, but I'm so proud that now I have sharp enough tools to work.
This sharpening tale has been what every process has felt like along this journey, for every step forward, I would experience weeks worth of back stepping.
There are other tasks and tales that have paused my bench work in the same way.
Learning to square up very long stock with only a No.5
Cracking my windshield by shoving timber a little too far into the Jazz
Learning how to do a glue up by getting glue on every surface in my shop
Finding myself a beautiful yet mostly impractically designed tool chest
Okay, I love the colour and its much better than keeping my tools everywhere
Learning how to use a chisel
For all this work, my bench still feels a lifetime away. Thankfully, progress is moving faster and at a more regular pace, but now I have a different problem to face, motivation.
There are simply so many other things in my life that are easier and more quickly rewarding, like making social time, reading my book, watching a movie. Making the time for woodworking has been a real challenge, but I've been constantly trying to explore different mindsets and practices that'll help me produce more work.
I've recently taken to practicing yoga after work as both exercise and a mindfulness practice, and within that space one saying can be heard often:
" Getting to the mat is the hardest part "
I think this sentiment is how I get myself down into my shop, to do even just a single operation after work. I think it'll also help leave me more fulfilled after time in my shop, no matter what I achieved.
I am ready to give this bench what it needs from me. I'm ready to push myself to get myself down there and working on it.
I know that what comes after this bench will be projects that will provide quicker feedback loops. But I need to ensure that I take deep breaths and get into the workshop to fulfil that fantasy.
I am deeply proud of how far I've come, the operations I'm doing now finally make me feel like I'm a woodworker. Sweeping up shaving off the floor after hanging up my hand made apron and putting my tools back in their chest makes me grin like an idiot.
Even if some days it really doesn't feel like it, I am well and truly on the path I wish to travel, and I would like to be prouder of that.
