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%.
Agree. I got a Makita track saw and a large sheet of that 1" thick foam insulation they sell in big-box stores.
Lay the foam down on a garage floor, lay your plywood (what-have-you) on the foam, lay your track across the wood (where you want the cut) and go.
As long as you make sure the depth of your cut doesn't pass all the way through the foam, you're good. (And a 1" margin for error should keep you from sparking the saw on the concrete floor.)
If you're clever, cut the 4' x 8' sheet of foam (with a long X-Acto knife) into 4 pieces: 4' x 2' each. Duct tape pairs of them back together and you can fold up your foam like a gym mat. Note: make sure the tape is on the floor-side, you don't want to cut through duct-tape.
Add a portable drill & driver combo and your woodworking journey has begun.
(Me, I added a jointer, planer, table saw, routers, built a workbench, etc. You need a lot of clamps. Got rid of my miter saw—kinda dangerous and I just didn't need it. To be sure the table saw is dangerous too, but the miter saw is stealthily so—seems undangerous for the longest time and then‚ bam!)
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...
Wonderful! Careful with any sorts of holes in "gates" within the home to keep animals or children out of rooms as they can get their hands caught in them. That's why the ones at the store have very tiny holes. I just used any sort of solid thin laminate type surface (the ones with a whiteboard like finish are easy to clean!)
It's even more important when it comes to heads. You can look up the rules in your region and for your application. Slats in homemade bunk beds and cribs have killed a lot of kids.
In time I have moved away from stains in general—preferring to start with nice wood and then going toward a simple paste wax finish.
In time I think your woodworker's eye will turn away from the idea of staining an inexpensive wood, like pine, with a dark walnut stain to try to make it look fancy.
(I've seen too many "D&D table" builds and the like on YouTube that are made from plywood and stained to look like walnut. Le sigh… When I make something from cheap wood, I just paint it.)
Very well done, OP! Lots of reflection, methodical approach, practical design. I’ve also gotten back to making physical things recently. I did not recognize the feeling at first, but soon realized I’m looking forward to getting back to building that shed. Have not felt that for a while about coding or other work. One advice I have is not to skimp on tools. I had some old wired tools that were OK. On a whim invested into a good Makita impact drill and it’s just another level. Got a circular saw as well and few other bits: having proper tools makes this so much more enjoyable. It doesn’t have to make financial sense, DIY is mostly about enjoyment. So why don’t I make sure I enjoy it?
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.
Agree. I got a Makita track saw and a large sheet of that 1" thick foam insulation they sell in big-box stores.
Lay the foam down on a garage floor, lay your plywood (what-have-you) on the foam, lay your track across the wood (where you want the cut) and go.
As long as you make sure the depth of your cut doesn't pass all the way through the foam, you're good. (And a 1" margin for error should keep you from sparking the saw on the concrete floor.)
If you're clever, cut the 4' x 8' sheet of foam (with a long X-Acto knife) into 4 pieces: 4' x 2' each. Duct tape pairs of them back together and you can fold up your foam like a gym mat. Note: make sure the tape is on the floor-side, you don't want to cut through duct-tape.
Add a portable drill & driver combo and your woodworking journey has begun.
(Me, I added a jointer, planer, table saw, routers, built a workbench, etc. You need a lot of clamps. Got rid of my miter saw—kinda dangerous and I just didn't need it. To be sure the table saw is dangerous too, but the miter saw is stealthily so—seems undangerous for the longest time and then‚ bam!)
That's interesting advice. I only have a miter saw, none of the others. It's gotten me pretty far though.
Well there is also a chainsaw, but that is solving a different problem. No one uses chainsaws for woodworking, only those people carving stumps.
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...
Wonderful! Careful with any sorts of holes in "gates" within the home to keep animals or children out of rooms as they can get their hands caught in them. That's why the ones at the store have very tiny holes. I just used any sort of solid thin laminate type surface (the ones with a whiteboard like finish are easy to clean!)
Looks good, and great hinges and latches.
It's even more important when it comes to heads. You can look up the rules in your region and for your application. Slats in homemade bunk beds and cribs have killed a lot of kids.
In time I have moved away from stains in general—preferring to start with nice wood and then going toward a simple paste wax finish.
In time I think your woodworker's eye will turn away from the idea of staining an inexpensive wood, like pine, with a dark walnut stain to try to make it look fancy.
(I've seen too many "D&D table" builds and the like on YouTube that are made from plywood and stained to look like walnut. Le sigh… When I make something from cheap wood, I just paint it.)
Eh, pine can look pretty great with a light stain. But it takes dark stain poorly in my experience.
Very well done, OP! Lots of reflection, methodical approach, practical design. I’ve also gotten back to making physical things recently. I did not recognize the feeling at first, but soon realized I’m looking forward to getting back to building that shed. Have not felt that for a while about coding or other work. One advice I have is not to skimp on tools. I had some old wired tools that were OK. On a whim invested into a good Makita impact drill and it’s just another level. Got a circular saw as well and few other bits: having proper tools makes this so much more enjoyable. It doesn’t have to make financial sense, DIY is mostly about enjoyment. So why don’t I make sure I enjoy it?