This book (includes a link for freely downloading a PDF) might give you some ideas for making your workbench more useful. Measurements are in feet and inches because it’s written by a guy in Kentucky, but that’s not going to stop anyone in the UK.
Note that modern adhesives (esp. if coupled with the judicious use of a bit of hardware) are quite strong/lasting so long as they are appropriate to the purpose.
Just making a couple as a test/prototype will go a long way towards building skill and confidence.
Glue and counter-sunk screws, with a dowel (I prefer a contrasting color) plug on top. Flush cut or even slightly protruding, whichever style you like. Looks great, can't fail, super easy. I've done all kinds of joinery, of course rabbets, dovetails, all that good stuff... is good. But y'know what else is good? A finished bookshelf holding a bunch of books!
Pocket hole screws and glue won’t earn you any awards for beautiful joinery, but they’ll get a project done in a weekend and look plenty nice, especially if you’re going to paint it. The Kreg jigs are a little pricey but absolutely worth it.
DIY around the house is so much fun. Over the years I've built picture frames, shelves, cabinet doors, even a bed frame.
If I could offer one piece of advice to those interested: Understand that for nearly every project you see on Youtube where some dude is using a whole workshop full of power tools, you can build a LOT with a few small tools and proper technique. Don't get sucked into the mindset of, I want to build a few projects, therefore I need $2000 worth of new power tools.
You can do quite a lot with just a couple of hand saws (one for cross-cutting, one for ripping), a square, and a drill. The next step up would be a table saw, miter saw, and circular saw for time savings and increased precision. Much more than that is leaning into the territory of fine woodworking. Learning how to build your own jigs for specific tasks will save you hundreds or thousands in lieu of specialized tools.
Don't get sucked into the mindset of, I want to build a few projects, therefore I need $2000 worth of new power tools.
I can't recommend maker spaces enough. Of course each space is different, and some are incredible and some are lacking, but in general the ones I've visited (or been a member of) are awesome, filled with a diverse group of people who are usually excited to share their knowledge. Definitely look to see if there is a good maker space where you live!
My specific power tool advice would be to skip the miter saw, circular saw and possibly table saw and get a decent track saw for $500 US. Its a circular saw, you can also use it for angles, maybe with proper planning doing compound ones with a couple cuts, I've never tried.
Also if you set aside a certain budget for hobbies, etc. don't feel guilty about spending on it, go with the philosophy that is guilt-free spending. If you have fun and then lose interest, as happens with hobbies, you can sell the tools. But also see what you can get done with a small set of tools and see what you like first. Taking classes helps narrow in on what you like doing. I learned I like the mystique of hand tools but don't have the patience to do that 100%.
I have that same Bosch. for me its just for cutting down ply and making crates and janky stuff, but it has very little torque, tends to cut ragged (slow I guess?) and a yes a shallow cut. a better saw would help a lot here I think.
Woodworks are always interesting and amazing. It includes mathematics & creativity. Every country has their own way of doing things. Recently I learnt Japanese wood craft is unique - They make beds without using any screws. Eg. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1720450263/platform-bed-made-of...
This book (includes a link for freely downloading a PDF) might give you some ideas for making your workbench more useful. Measurements are in feet and inches because it’s written by a guy in Kentucky, but that’s not going to stop anyone in the UK.
https://lostartpress.com/products/the-anarchists-workbench
I built a three-legged table from the anarchists design book. I've been using it every single family meal for 6 years now. So satisfying.
I have a woodworking project on hold because I can't decide how to do the joins.
Prototyping is helpful, you can try out a single join in various ways and compare what you’re reasonably able to execute.
There are myriad ways to do woodworking joinery, and entire books on it:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4942341-woodwork-joints
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17572619-the-complete-gu...
Note that modern adhesives (esp. if coupled with the judicious use of a bit of hardware) are quite strong/lasting so long as they are appropriate to the purpose.
Just making a couple as a test/prototype will go a long way towards building skill and confidence.
Glue and counter-sunk screws, with a dowel (I prefer a contrasting color) plug on top. Flush cut or even slightly protruding, whichever style you like. Looks great, can't fail, super easy. I've done all kinds of joinery, of course rabbets, dovetails, all that good stuff... is good. But y'know what else is good? A finished bookshelf holding a bunch of books!
Pocket hole screws and glue won’t earn you any awards for beautiful joinery, but they’ll get a project done in a weekend and look plenty nice, especially if you’re going to paint it. The Kreg jigs are a little pricey but absolutely worth it.
DIY around the house is so much fun. Over the years I've built picture frames, shelves, cabinet doors, even a bed frame.
If I could offer one piece of advice to those interested: Understand that for nearly every project you see on Youtube where some dude is using a whole workshop full of power tools, you can build a LOT with a few small tools and proper technique. Don't get sucked into the mindset of, I want to build a few projects, therefore I need $2000 worth of new power tools.
You can do quite a lot with just a couple of hand saws (one for cross-cutting, one for ripping), a square, and a drill. The next step up would be a table saw, miter saw, and circular saw for time savings and increased precision. Much more than that is leaning into the territory of fine woodworking. Learning how to build your own jigs for specific tasks will save you hundreds or thousands in lieu of specialized tools.
I can't recommend maker spaces enough. Of course each space is different, and some are incredible and some are lacking, but in general the ones I've visited (or been a member of) are awesome, filled with a diverse group of people who are usually excited to share their knowledge. Definitely look to see if there is a good maker space where you live!
My specific power tool advice would be to skip the miter saw, circular saw and possibly table saw and get a decent track saw for $500 US. Its a circular saw, you can also use it for angles, maybe with proper planning doing compound ones with a couple cuts, I've never tried.
Also if you set aside a certain budget for hobbies, etc. don't feel guilty about spending on it, go with the philosophy that is guilt-free spending. If you have fun and then lose interest, as happens with hobbies, you can sell the tools. But also see what you can get done with a small set of tools and see what you like first. Taking classes helps narrow in on what you like doing. I learned I like the mystique of hand tools but don't have the patience to do that 100%.
I should have gotten a track saw: I basically use my circular saw like one, which is a pain.
I have that same Bosch. for me its just for cutting down ply and making crates and janky stuff, but it has very little torque, tends to cut ragged (slow I guess?) and a yes a shallow cut. a better saw would help a lot here I think.
Woodworks are always interesting and amazing. It includes mathematics & creativity. Every country has their own way of doing things. Recently I learnt Japanese wood craft is unique - They make beds without using any screws. Eg. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1720450263/platform-bed-made-of...