Woodworking Resources...what do you use?

[fergus]

I'm interested in learning some woodworking skills. It seems there are a few websites out there...but none seem to be the end-all of sites...unlike this one.

Anybody got any must have books or must see sites? I"m still a total noob and don't even yet know the extent of my ignorance. Let's make this a resource for anybody else interested as well.

Here's what I've found so far:

http://www.woodnet.net/forums/ Decent size little forum

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/ Neat blogs...very informative

http://woodworking.com/forum/ Big beginner section

http://www.newyankee.com/online.php The latest episode is available online

Shopnotes magazine - real helpful with lots of ideas for setting up a shop


Anything anybody else just cannot live without?

 

[pattenp]

Have you checked out http://www.rockler.com/ ? They have a blog page and expert advice page.

 

[darth]

http://www.finewoodworking.com/

The magazine is excellent and the website is also well done.

 

[rieferman]

sawmillcreek.org/forum is a great place to read, but if you're brand new a lot of the topics may be head scratchers for you at first.

lumberjocks.com is another good forum.

thewoodwhisperer.com is GREAT. He has short, but thorough, youtube clips on just about every important step in the woodworking process.

But, overall, if you can take a hands on class, I'd highly recommend it. All the tools in a woodshop are essentially designed to cut your fingers off, so what you "think" you know about safety may not be correct. Learning proper technique in woodworking is the same as taking drivers education before getting your license. Just my opinion.

edit: short story as an example... over 50% of "experienced" woodworkers that I've met use improper technique on the table saw. Dangerous. My woodworking instructor told us that he teached 400 students per year, and that at least 20 of them are professionals... professionals that are missing some portion of their hand as a result of improper table saw technique. They're coming to take his class to relearn safety so they can get back to their profession. Guys from across the country travel to his class just to rehabilitate. The point being: ability to make pretty things out of wood does not mean you are a safe worker.

Good luck!

 

[jen123]

Lumberjocks.com, woodwhisperer.com. Im a custom cabinetmaker for a side business, and lumberjocks is a good place to share ideas and projects. There is alot of activity there also. The best one that is compairable to this site is sawmill creek. tons of activity just like this one. The woodwhisperer is just a good podcast to watch. Lumberjocks.com and sawmillcreek.com are the top 2 on the net. Enjoy!

 

[porphyre]

Last two posters hit it on the head. Sawmill Creek and Lumberjocks are the best two woodworking sites on the net.

Sawmill Creek is a good community.

Lumberjocks is a little bit different. Instead of being purely a message forum, they've got separate distinct areas. Projects, Reviews, Blogs, and I think there's a forum area. Some of the features of their site are really cumbersome to get around.

For me, the main draw is the Projects section. Folks post photos and descriptions of the projects they've done. I've seen things on that site that I didn't even know where possible using wood. It's a FANTASTIC resource for ideas.

 

[5lima30]

+1 for Sawmill Creek wordworking forum (probably one of the best out there). As far as hands on training usually a local community college/ vocational school is a good place to start. YMMV.

 

[fergus]

Hey thanks guys. Those three site have TONS of info... and the different blogs are awesome. That should eat up the better part of the next few months!

As far as classes go, I do plan on taking one soon. The local university extension has some good ones, but they've always filled up before I could register. Maybe this next time around I'll get in.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Wood craft stores offer some nice classes.

 

[boseefus402]

I use http://www.freewoodworkingplan.com/ to get ideas the take a few different plans then incorporate their ideas together. Also do alot of seatches on google images.

 

[AMarshall]

+1 on TheWoodWhisperer.com and his videos. He's super accessible too, and e-mails will get answered personally.

All the forum recommendations were good too, but the best forum for beginners (IMHO) is woodtalkonline.com.