Get woodworking!
Just what is Get Woodworking Week? The idea started as many great ones do… late at night in a bar. At a gathering of woodworkers, we were sitting around a table asking ourselves, “How can woodworking be saved?” After all, with most schools no longer offering a shop class, millions of school age kids might not ever get the opportunity to work with wood. Add to that the trend toward ‘disposable’ furniture, built out of particleboard or MDF and designed to last until the next big design trend change, we were wondering if the appreciation of finely-crafted furniture would continue to be lost.
That’s when the idea hit me – we needed a special event to get folks off the sideline and into woodworking as a hobby. That’s where the idea of Get Woodworking Week comes in. Woodworking bloggers across the Internet are banding together to gear their sites toward the novice or soon-to-be-novice woodworker. They’ll cover topics as diverse as how they got started in the craft, which tools a beginning woodworker needs (without breaking the bank) and what techniques are essential to start with. There will be discussion about how to find wood on the cheap for projects, what sources of information are reliable and how making mistakes can – and do – make you a better woodworker.
I just loved this video from Scott Morton, done for the 2012 Get Woodworking Week.
Great resources for new woodworkers:
Wood Magazine’s Basic Built Series:This is is Wood Magazine’s initiative to provide simple, yet high-quality woodworking projects that can be completed with a minimum number of tools and skills. This site covers a wide array of topics – from how to find furniture worthy wood to where to find the best deals on tools. The inexpensive projects offered run the gamut from shop fixtures to tables, seating and casework.
Fine Woodworking’s Start Woodworking: Fine Woodworking magazine offers a comprehensive site geared toward beginners. Loaded with plans, videos and articles on the basics, this site has much to offer the budding woodworker. And, what a great selection of projects there is – with something for nearly every room of the house. Check out the Q&A section, offering expert advice for woodworkers of all skill levels.
Popular Woodworking’s I Can Do That: In every issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine, the “I Can Do That” column features projects that can be completed by any woodworker with a modest (but decent) kit of tools in less than two days of shop time, and using raw materials that are available at any home center. Be sure to download their .PDF manual first before you get a start on things.
New To Woodworking: Marc Spagnuolo, the Wood Whisperer, understands that it’s OK to be a Noob. That’s why he put together this impressive site for the up and coming woodworker. He’s sorted through his site and found the best articles on shop set up, technique and projects with build-along videos.
NewWoodworker.com: Tom Hintz is no longer a new woodworker, but, believe me, his site will help steer any new woodworker in the right direction. Before you buy a new tool or select a spot for your shop, be sure to pay this site a visit and soak in the knowledge.
The Hand Tool School: If power tools aren’t your bag, why not give hand tools a go? Shannon Rogers of the Renaissance Woodworker runs the online Hand Tool School where you can learn how to unplug and get woodworking. There is a fee for the site, but you will be part of an online apprenticeship that will teach you the basics… and more advanced skills.
Watch this spot for exciting articles from the 2013 event.
Some links for Get Woodworking Week 2012:
- Mike Siemsen, The School of Wood: There’s a hole in the bucket! Getting started woodworking with hand tools. -
- Short Bus Woodworking: Get Woodworking Week – Pocket Holes?
- Tumblewood: Get Woodworking Week is here. Get to it!
- Woodworking in Paris: La semaine Get Woodworking du 5 au 12 fevrier… (en Francais)
- Close Grain: Jim Kingshott’s DVDs and Books
- Ravinheart Renditions: Get Woodworking Week 2012
- Uppercut Woodworks: Video Post #10: Get Woodworking Week with Red Toolbox Kits
- Digital Woodworker: Getting started in woodworking – Tools with a Japanese flair
- Stu’s Shed: Colour my (shed) world
- Woodshop Demos: Analysis paralysis
- The School of Wood: There’s a hole in the bucket! Getting started woodworking with hand tools.
- The Wood Whisperer: How to install a drawer knob
- A Slice of Wood Workshop: What to Build?
- The Village Carpenter: Just do it!
- The Renaissance Woodworker: Get Woodworking… NOW!
- Wood Magazine: Beginner techniques
- The Sharpening Blog: Basic Sharpening Notes
- Hardwood to go: Tips for buying lumber for your next project
- Giant Cypress Blog: The Shellac redemption
- Woodcanuck’s Blog: So you want to be a woodworker?
- Wood Chuck’s Workshop: Shellac, this beginner’s favorite finish
- Brownell Furniture: Getting Found Online
- Bucks County Craftsmaster’s Blog: Football is over. So, now what?
- Might as well dance: Woodworking: where to begin?
- The Wood Lab: Don’t let shop ‘shortcomings’ stop you!
- The Joiner’s Apprentice: Preparing rough stock for a project
- The Penultimate Workshop: Peter Get Woodworking
- Matt’s Basement Workshop: Get Woodworking Week 2012
- The Digital Woodworker: Building a Japanese workbench
- The Wood Ninja: Get Woodworking
- Stu’s Shed: Humble Beginnings
- Giant Cypress: What it takes to get a kid into woodworking
- The Renaissance Woodworker: Get Hand Planes
- Watkins Wood Works: To sharpen or not to sharpen?
- Uppercut Woodworks: Get woodworking Boy Scouts
- Flair Woodworks: Every shop needs a Br’all
- High Rock Woodworking: What happened to shop class?
- The Garage Shop: Get woodworking again
- Woodworks by John: My contribution
- The Joiner’s Apprentice: Simple Dovetail Box
- Woodworking for Mere Mortals: Shop Cabinet
- Scott Morton: Teaching the kids
- The Garage Woodshop: Blunt Instruments
- Giant Cypress: One last item for Get Woodworking Week
- WV Woodshed:Get Woodworking Week
- The Corner Workshop: Take the plunge
January 27th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Hi Tom,
My website and blog may be of interest to you,
All the best,
David.
January 27th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
What a great idea! I will see who I can round up for some in-person training.
In the meantime, my blog’s whole concept is learning to work wood using handtools with not much pre-existing knowledge. I am testing Chris Schwarz’s claim that the book “the Joiner and Cabinet Maker” provides all you need to know to emerge a journeyman. Currently working on the schoolbox portion (while also building a workbench).
thejoinersapprentice.blogspot.com
I’ll make some especially beginner-friendly posts during that week in Feb!
January 27th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
David and Robert -
I’d be humbled and honored to post anything you guys prepare for the big event! Many thanks….
January 28th, 2012 at 10:13 am
Nice! I’ve been planning on doing a review of Jim Kingshott’s books and DVDs, this would be a perfect time to post it. These are a fantastic resource for the beginner (and not-so-beginner!).
January 28th, 2012 at 10:50 am
I’d be glad to take part.
This might be of interest -it’s a compilation of notes from my first year n woodworking.
http://bowsaw.wordpress.com/notebook/
January 28th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
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January 28th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
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January 31st, 2012 at 9:24 am
[...] Iovino, from the blog Tom’s Workbench, is coordinating our efforts. Many of us will be posting articles all week regarding first tool [...]
January 31st, 2012 at 2:21 pm
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January 31st, 2012 at 3:12 pm
I’m planning on participating next week, including writing up my experiences at the dovetail class at Port Townsend this weekend.
My blog is at http://mcglynnonmaking.com
-Joe
January 31st, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Hell yes! Let’s keep the momentum going!
February 2nd, 2012 at 1:22 pm
[...] Here is the original Get Woodworking Week post [...]
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:11 am
My whole blog is about how I am beginner trying to advance from building projects out of 2×4′s to building furniture and other fine projects. I will try to write an post for “Get Woodworking”
February 3rd, 2012 at 12:21 pm
I’m looking forward to reading it, Chuck!
February 3rd, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Hi Tom, what a great idea. My blog is something a bit different as I am a green woodworker. That is using freshly felled wood with an axe and knife and other simple hand tools. Following your lead I have written a post of what tools you need to start with and I will be posting videos and article about how to make stuff from wood that is often considered fire wood.
My blog is http://seanhellman.blogspot.com/
Also details on here about forums for green woodworker. A great past time without to much expense.
February 3rd, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Sean -
There are plenty of disciplines in woodworking… I think adding information about green woodworking is a great addition! Keep ‘me coming!
February 3rd, 2012 at 3:08 pm
A wonderful idea, Tom.
I’m introducing my 10 year old son to woodwork and, in the process, realising how much I don’t know! (They say if you want to learn something, try teaching it.) We use recycled or locally-grown timber and only hand tools, and will be posting more during Get Woodworking Week at
http://theoffcut.blogspot.com
Best wishes,
Rob
February 3rd, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I think Get Woodworking Week is a great idea. I’m looking forward to trying to do a post each day about my beginning in hand tool woodwork. http://www.thenewyinzerworkshop.com
February 3rd, 2012 at 3:21 pm
You guys be sure to send me links to the articles you write.. I’ll be sure to post ‘em!
February 4th, 2012 at 5:14 am
Thanks so much for doing this. I’m going to work my way through all these posts with joy.
February 4th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
[...] posts this week (from my typical lame average of one every two weeks). Read about Tom’s idea here – and be sure and check your favorite woodworking blogs all week. Share [...]
February 5th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
[...] Vous trouverez la version originale ici… [...]
February 5th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
I just posted my contribution for the Get Woodworking Week, a review of Jim Kingshott’s books and videos.
Link: .
These are a fantastic resource for any new hand tool woodworker.
February 6th, 2012 at 5:42 am
[...] Iovino, over at Tom’s Workbench rallied the online woodworking community to create Get Woodworking Week. Uniformly we are all onboard – we love bringing others into the craft. It’s why we [...]
February 6th, 2012 at 10:26 am
[...] by Craig I recently received an invitation from fellow blogger Tom Iovino to participate in “Get Woodworking Week” which is an attempt by the blogosphere to get people off their collective duffs, into the shop, [...]
February 7th, 2012 at 9:28 am
Hi Tom,
This is a great idea! I’ve just begun documenting my foray in woodworking and hopefully my trials and travails will be of some help to others exploring this amazing craft.
http://brokenriverjoinery.wordpress.com
Thanks,
Bobby
February 8th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Here’s what I have to offer, with part two coming tomorrow or Friday:
http://thejoinersapprentice.blogspot.com/2012/02/as-i-was-preparing-post-for-get.html
February 9th, 2012 at 9:18 am
[...] Get Woodworking week is here and I have been saving this post for a while for just such an [...]
February 10th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Here’s another, basic dovetailing through the eyes of a beginner:
http://thejoinersapprentice.blogspot.com/2012/02/basics-simple-dovetailed-box.html
February 10th, 2012 at 10:17 pm
[...] post is part of Get Woodworking Week, an initiative started by Tom Iovino of Tom’s Workbench, to build interest and participation [...]
February 11th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
[...] has been the tradition here I will start off this post with Tom Iovino (founder of Get Woodworking Week) of Tom’s Workbench. Today Tom asks the question where to now, what should we as woodworkers [...]
February 14th, 2012 at 9:00 am
[...] February 8th Woodworker’s got together to discuss Get Woodworking Week started by Tom Iovino over at Tom’s [...]
February 14th, 2012 at 11:09 am
Tom, Good idea. I’m working just now with an apprenticeship grant from the NEA, and since the two apprentices I want to work with are on opposite coasts, and I’m here in Arkansas, we’re using the blog to communicate. Coming up to speed on digital camera and website construction, letting the workbench collect dust for a bit. We will be doing some timber framing this spring, and publishing the layout and cutting techniques. JML
January 22nd, 2013 at 7:01 am
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February 3rd, 2013 at 10:35 am
[...] Get Woodworking week, and a great time for me to resume some blogging. It seems that each time I write a blog, it begins [...]