Is Woodworking "Not for everyone?"

[John Hulett]

Lately, I've been on a woodworking emotional rollercoaster. I've really been frustrated with a project I've been working on for corner shelves. In fact, the last time I had a problem, I posed this about glue. This post also references the first pass at this project - on which I didn't have nearly the kind of problems I've had this time.

I had a couple more panels to glue up to replace the ones the glue dried too quickly on. I re-realized I'm having a really hard time acheiveing a flat panel. At 14-15 inches, they're too big to go through my planer, and I can't seem to get good results from the LN No. 4 I have. So I wait a couple of weeks and take another pass.

Taking the advice on the glue post, I bought some Weldwood and attempted a glue-up yesterday. I'm still getting gaps in the middle of the shelf, using virtually every clamp I own, including two strap clamps. Additionally, when I put the Weldwood on the end-grain, the poplar seemed to soak it up like a sponge.

I was very inspired by Mark's therapy post but I'm begining to think that, as much as I like getting out there and working with my hands (I'm a systems guy by trade), maybe woodworking is just not the right hobby for me.

I've played guitar since highschool. My best friend back then really, really wanted to play too. He had a nice guitar and amp, and tried and tried and tried. Unfortunately, he didn't have the rythem or dexterity to play well. Eventually he gave it up. He just wasn't mean to play guitar, despite really wanting to.

Perhaps the same may be true for me and woodworking. I sometimes find that I may not be detail oriented enough, or simply lack the "natural" skills necessary to do what I envision on a project.

So my question is this; is woodworking just not for everyone?

- John

[Doug Jones]

So my question is this; is woodworking just not for everyone?

- John

Simply put,,, no its not.

[Andy Hoyt]

Try the turning aspect of woodworking John.

I like it because (among other things) there are no "in betweens". It either explodes or succeeds.

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

Try the turning aspect of woodworking John.

I like it because (among other things) there are no "in betweens". It either explodes or succeeds.

How true, how true....

Of course WW is not for everyone, if it was, there would be no other hobbies...........(there are other hobbies............right..?).

The thing is, you have to want to do it. A long time ago, I started to train in Aikido, a martial art, I like it very much, but I sucked at it, but I kept at it, and I eventually moved to Japan to learn more (looooooong story that).

Was I as good as the guys who had boat loads on natural talent, no, would I ever be as good as those guy, most likely not, but it was not a competition. Just like WW, it is not a competition, it is a hobby, so what if you cannot make a flat panel, try some other aspect of WW and find one you like. Some guys are really good with hand tools, some are not, some are brilliant with finishing, I SUCK

We do this for ourselves, you have to find something about it that you like and that you can improve at.

I guess the long and the short of it is, are you enjoying yourself (forget the recent panel thing) if the answer is "Yes" keep at it, it will come, if the answer is "No" well, then I suggest you find something else to do.

Sometimes a change is as good as a rest, try something else for a while.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

[Larry Fox]

I think Stu hits it dead on. I am a software guy and so (by extension) I can appreciate the frustration you go through on a regular basis at work. Who needs that at home when you should be relaxing. We have all had projects that just won't seem to end (currently working on one myself) or nothing seems to go right but if there is not even a glimmer of joy or relaxation in you even during those trying times then it just might not be the hobby for you. It may even turn out to be an unsafe one if you push things or let your anger and frustration get the best of you - only takes a split second loss of focus.

Stu's suggestion of taking a rest is also a good one - allows you to reconnect with what got you into it in the first place. If after a month you don't miss it, then perhaps it is not for you.

BTW: I am in the same boat as your friend. I love music and have tried to play on numerous ocassions and just seem genetically incapable of getting it. Same goes for foreign languages.

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

.................... I love music and have tried to play on numerous occasions and just seem genetically incapable of getting it.............

I tired the guitar at one point too, but I was also playing offensive line in football, and it is hard to learn the guitar when you constantly have busted and or sprained fingers (Hey that is my excuse and I'm sticking to it!! )

[Jesse Cloud]

Hey John,
I've been there - things screw up that shouldn't or just everything in general screws up. And I'll probably be there again. In the old systems days I would look for a root cause, probably a poorly understood requirement or a bad assumption that grows worse as code is built around it.

My woodworking has gotten a lot better over the years, but I still make mistakes, and I don't know anyone who doesn't.

Here's a few rules of thumb I use to try to stay out of trouble:
- Don't try too many new things in one project, one new technique mastered is reward enough.
- Focus on the work. Turn off the radio. Don't think about what else you have to do. Get everything that isn't related to this little task out of the way. If you can't do that, put it down and come back when you can.
- Learn what matters and what doesn't. Your square has to be absolutely dead on. Put it on something straight, draw a line, flip it over, draw the line again. If you see two lines anywhere or the line starts to get thick, take the square back and get another one. I had to do this 3 times. Big squares aren't. You have pretty good odds with a 3 or 4 inch machinist square, but when you go to 6 inches or a foot - gooood luck.
Get the best 6 inch ruler you can find - it needs to have separate scales for 1/8, 1/6, 1/32, and 1/64. Your milling equipment - tablesaw, jointer, planer - needs to be dead accurate, if its not, keep trying until it is.
Things that are not important in most cases - brand of glue - they are all good; brand of sawblade (as long as you are using the right type for the job); getting a 'good deal' on a tool (you will probably pay later).
- Take a class. Not the short class at the local tool seller where they set everything up for you. I took a class at the local community college and was dumbfounded: I was doing almost everything the hard way and leaving myself open for errors. Before the class, I thought I knew what I was doing...

I hope this helps. Go for some small satisfying victories. If its still not fun a year from now, try something else.

Hope I haven't offended anyone too badly. I know some great woodworkers who do things differently, but this works for me, who like John, is not a natural at this.

[Richard Wolf]

John, it makes me sad to read your post. You seem to have the desire and vision to work with wood but lack the skills.
I don't know what your back ground with tools is, but I suspect it is lacking. Part of the problem is the school systems today, which were most likely in transistion when you were in school, but that doesn't help you now.
I find most new woodworkers, or even in other hobbies, are way to ambitious and set themselves up for failure. Pick smaller projects to get instant gradification. Break larger projects into smaller ones. One of the most important things you can do, is start with quality materials too. You are setting yourself up if you are not using straight boards to begin with. Processing materials, making lumber straight and square, is sometimes the toughest part of woodworking and mediocre results leads to mediocre projects which will be disappointing to you.
Find some help, even the grumpyest old woodworker will most likely offer his assistance to help a fellow woodman.

Richard

[Robert Mayer]

I dont think the hobby can be for everyone. Its takes an extremely high amount of patience to do this hobby. With that said, i get frustrated at some point on every thing I build. You just have to hang in there. I find it really helps to get in contact with a local guy that knows a lot!

[Bob Childress]

I guess the long and the short of it is, are you enjoying yourself (forget the recent panel thing) if the answer is "Yes" keep at it, it will come, if the answer is "No" well, then I suggest you find something else to do.

It can't be any plainer than that. And so true. If I had a nickel for every cock-up I made on a project, I could hire someone else to do it.

Some of us are process-oriented (patient, methodical, and enjoy the act of building) while others of us are result-oriented (derive our greatest enjoyment from the finished project). I'm one of the latter and that leads to more mistakes than the first group makes. But I enjoy it, so I keep doing it and keep learning. If you're not having any fun, if it's not relaxing, do someting else. But if you enjoy it and are just tired of the frustration, take the time to read a book, take a class, heck, watch NYW re-runs.

We all have limitations in WW (well, with some notable exceptions on this forum) but our goal is to slowly but surely extend our talents and get some satisfaction in the process.

I admit that my approach to WW is simple-minded: I study, observe, try, fail; study, observe, try, fail; study, observe, try and succeed or not. The third time I fail, I simply agree with myself that that technique is not for me and look for alternatives (usually involving buying a new tool ).

WW may not be for everyone--but there is a place in WW for everyone who enjoys it. Best of luck.

[Jim Becker]

Simply put,,, no its not.

I'd like to modify Doug's succinct response a little...no, it's not all the time. Hobbies and the like are not always something that one can pursue "all the time". There are always distractions in all of our lives and sometimes we discover things that capture our attention more "for the moment" or longer.

Honestly, as much as I love woodworking, there are many times (lately) when moving rocks around with the tractor is better, more effective and necessary therapy for me. That's ok. My shop is always there when I need it and I do know woodworking will always be part of my life.

What I will NOT do is make the mistake I did with my music many years ago and go completely dormant for a long period of time nor divest of any "stuff". I recently got out my primary keyboard and have enjoyed revisting the sounds and touch it provides. That was missing too long. I know I'd feel the same way about my tools and wood.

[Keith Weber]

I recently got out my primary keyboard and have enjoyed revisting the sounds and touch it provides.

Jim,

Judging by the number of posts you've made, I would think your primary keyboard is the one that you've got your hands on right now! :-)

Keith

[Jim Becker]

Judging by the number of posts you've made, I would think your primary keyboard is the one that you've got your hands on right now!

'Several to choose from here in the "cockpit"...err...office...as well as on the road. And I type fast.

But seriously, I do try to make my comments useful, not just frequent. While my time in the shop is limited right now, at least I can still talk about woodworking, encourage folks to do the same and learn A LOT from others in this virtual community no matter where in the world I happen to be.

[Keith Weber]

Hey Jim,

If I came across as making a remark about you talking too much, it was totally by accident. I've enjoyed reading your many posts. I just thought it was funny that you called something else a primary keyboard. It was almost like a pun.

You mentioned the many computers in your "cockpit". Was that a literal or figurative comment? I've got a few in my office too, but I can't post on SMC with them!

Keith

[Jim Becker]

I'm envious, Keith. Nice cockpit! (There are a few SMC'ers who spend time in similar places as you posted) Unfortunately, I get to ride on the other side of the locked door...but hopefully closer rather than farther away from it..."status" is good to have.