Wood Working - Part 1
Cabinet making - the beginning.
So whilst visiting the folks in the UK back in July I thought I’d ask dad for advice on woodworking. I’d seen a few things online which looked simple and thought …yeah I could do that.
Dad’s advice was pretty short and to the point. Go find someone local that can train me.
After literally minutes of googling I discovered there is only one place in Perth which offers the type of training I was after. Perth Wood School! So yesterday I did indeed go back to school.
David, The proprietor, Head Teacher, Guru, is extremely knowledgeable. So much so that he was also able to give us a brief history of wood in Western Australia and the reasons why Jarrah is no longer available from next year. Did you know that Jarrah was exported to England for use as cobblestones in London. 30 Miles of highway to be precise.
David was also extremely knowledgeable on safety. Use the wrong saw blade for ripping then the piece you’re cutting may be thrown backwards and impale something or someone (you die); Don’t use a blade guard?….You die; Don’t use pokey stick for last push of item being cut over blade?…You die; Incorrect use of table router…you die,
The interesting one, telling an American they must use a blade guard…leads to slightly intimidating “don’t tell me what i can/can’t do…civil rights etc etc” No reference to anyone dying but would be interesting to see the metrics related to missing digit injuries….. David had all his.
So the lesson runs over two weekends. Lesson one starts with a safety induction followed by brief history on the wood we’re likely to us in WA.
We go over different sand papers, how to sand - prep the inside face of the box we’re making
We go over the table saw, different blades for ripping and cross sawing.The types of sawdust you get with each. (don’t use a cross saw for ripping or you’ll die).
Use and versatility of plunge routers and safety of table routers.
Gluing of the lap joints we created. Did you know know the ancient Egyptians used boiled down fish bones to make glue? Me neither!
And finally the use of adjustable clamps to hold everything till next week!