Woodworking as a hobby

[Voigtkampf]

In short, is anyone doing any woodworking as a hobby? From furniture making, carving, pyrography, making wood ship models, anything? I decided to go that way, bought quite some tools and got several projects in planing at the moment.Hence, I was wondering if anyone is doing anything along those lines because at the moment, I am hunting for all and any tips people can provide and would like to find some to exchange ideas and impressions. I am especially interested in building ship models out of wood, since that seems like the most demanding task.

[drone]

I have a bunch of nice tools, but I never seem to be able to find the time to use them for any intricate work, most of my tasks end up being just utility jobs. I don't have a router table yet (just the router), I imagine that if I ever do get around to getting one that might kickstart me. A decent table lets you do all kinds of things, at the moment I'm limited to just using a dado blade on the table saw. A small lathe would be nice too, but who am I kidding. The small intricate stuff is probably beyond my skills and patience.

[Voigtkampf]

I got myself this baby, it is perfect for smaller, precision work.



And these are some of the projects I am aiming for:



Wooden clock



Wooden portraits.


Also, stuff like this: chess sets, chess tables and wooden puzzles and games.



And not to forget, wooden ship models etc...

[drone]

I got myself this baby, it is perfect for smaller, precision work.

I've got an old Delta scroll saw my grandfather gave me, no guides or anything so it's all freehand. That one looks really nice.

If you are going for those kinds of projects, I'm out of my league. I imagine lots of practice and lots of sanding are in your future. For the wooden ships, are you planning on replicating the keel/frame structure, or just the exterior?

[Voigtkampf]

I've got an old Delta scroll saw my grandfather gave me, no guides or anything so it's all freehand. That one looks really nice.

If you are going for those kinds of projects, I'm out of my league. I imagine lots of practice and lots of sanding are in your future. For the wooden ships, are you planning on replicating the keel/frame structure, or just the exterior?

This one has one guide on the side, for straight sawing, and one small guide to cut things in angles. However, most of the cutting is being done freestyle, you feeding the machine and turning the wood piece as you want. All of these may look very difficult, but basically, all they require is "some" practice for the leading hand.

As for the ships, I plan to replicate it in its entirety, either 1/350 or 1/700 scale, that means everything, keel, frame, deck, rudder, masts, sails, ropes, you name it. Now, I foresee that these projects will take a "bit" longer than making these aforementioned stuff. You can make a wooden clock/portrait within an hour or two, depending on how complicated it is. A wooden sail ship of the "olden times" could take months of work, depending on the level of detail one is prepared to invest in it.

I got my machines set up, but I am still in search for decent wood - will have to test out what is good for what. I'll make sure to post about anything I make, see the feedback and hope for some constructive criticism.

[drone]

As for the ships, I plan to replicate it in its entirety, either 1/350 or 1/700 scale, that means everything, keel, frame, deck, rudder, masts, sails, ropes, you name it. Now, I foresee that these projects will take a "bit" longer than making these aforementioned stuff. You can make a wooden clock/portrait within an hour or two, depending on how complicated it is. A wooden sail ship of the "olden times" could take months of work, depending on the level of detail one is prepared to invest in it.

I got my machines set up, but I am still in search for decent wood - will have to test out what is good for what. I'll make sure to post about anything I make, see the feedback and hope for some constructive criticism.

I hope you aren't going to go to the extremes of steam-shaping the wood for the keel and frame, that would indicate an unhealthy obsession!

I've always been interested in how the Viking snekkja/drakkar ships were made, the clinker design and open deck might be an interesting project. It would take me forever though...

[Voigtkampf]

I hope you aren't going to go to the extremes of steam-shaping the wood for the keel and frame, that would indicate an unhealthy obsession!

I've always been interested in how the Viking snekkja/drakkar ships were made, the clinker design and open deck might be an interesting project. It would take me forever though...

Honestly, I have no idea, I haven't read anywhere that the modellers were using steam to bend wood, since these are, after all, small replicas and the wood pieces are rather thin. But that doesn't matter, if it is required, I'll do it. Might end up as Dylan Dog, though, the guy from the comic - building a galley he never brought even close to an end.

[drone]

I believe steam is how the shipbuilders did it, with a model you should be able to just soak the wood to make it flexible. I guess it all depends on how accurate you want to be. Since it's just a model and you don't need the strength, cutting the curves should suffice. The grain of the wood won't follow the bends, but if you are just going to paint the model the grain shouldn't matter.

[PanzerJaeger]

I used to do plastic models and would like to get back into it if I could find the time. Wood is much more difficult, I would imagine.

[Voigtkampf]

I used to do plastic models and would like to get back into it if I could find the time. Wood is much more difficult, I would imagine.

To be honest, I was considering toying a bit with a plastic model as well these days. Coloring alone can be loads of fun.

Oh, and also, it is good to see you still around, PanzerJaeger.