I have tinkered and done very basic (i.e. miter saw, pocket holes, right angles, etc.) projects but I decided to make my daughter a jewelry box for her 5th birthday this year. I enlisted the help of my brother-in-law to make some finger joint cuts in mahogany, flocked the inside, etc. and though it isn't perfect, I REALLY enjoyed the entire process - see below for photos. However, the putting together of it was much quicker than the finishing part (lots of reading, watching youtube videos, practicing on leftover scrap) and I had the thought that it would have been even more fun to have cut all of the joints and everything by hand.
IMG_2324.jpgIMG_2325.jpg
Fast-forward to Christmas and I've gotten my hands on a pull-saw, a set of basic chisels, some supplies for sharpening said chisels (trying out the scary sharp system right now) and 1x4 poplar cut into short blanks to practice saw technique and dovetails, etc. I practiced vertical cuts for a good while (cutting just to the side of drawn lines) and then tried my first set of tails. It did not go very well so I scribed a bunch of angled lines and practiced cutting those.
Probably too quickly I decided to go through the entire process for making a set of dovetail joints and below are the results. Lots of practice needed but it is a great way to pass the time and take my mind of work, worries, and stresses!
IMG_2555.jpgIMG_2554.jpg
I've enjoyed the threads I've been reading and advice I've used so far! Maybe in another 5-10 years I'll be getting decent at this stuff!11