G'day from Melbourne!

Hi,

Just a quick hello from a brand new, out of the wrapper newbie. Completely new to woodworking, I've spent my whole life useless with tools (prior to last year my last project was building a small box in year 6 many years ago)...Thanks to Covid, I've taken a course, built a small table, a doghouse and a couple of boxes. Having fun buying and learning new tools and just stumbled on the forums...

I'm keen to learn more about how to use said tools safely, dovetailing small boxes and generally finding problems for the solutions I've bought. I'm also open to advice on how to convince my wife I need that next thing...

Look forward to learning heaps, thanks!

Chris

Doghouse
Attachment 501970

Table:
Attachment 501971

Welcome Chris

Welcome to the forum Chris.

Regards
Keith

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Chris"....
There are a stack members around Melbourne and cross Victoria plus the rest of the country.....
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork.....
Cheers crowie

PS - Watch out for local Melbourne get togethers, great way to meet like minded forum members & network [once lockdown is finished of course]...

Welcome to the forum Chris.

Ross

Welcome! The table looks awesome.

Welcome Chris,

It's an interesting, sometimes fun and often rewarding journey you've embarked on. I'm sure you'll learn heaps here on the forums. I know I have. Good luck trying to convince your wife though. I find discretion is much more realistic. :rolleyes:

Lyndon

Thanks for the warm welcome folks! One thing I've been wondering is when it comes to getting lumber squared and thicknessed, does everyone have their own jointer and thicknesser, buying DAR, or managing some other way? I've been using a lot of Bunnings Tassie oak DAR, but it's getting a bit dull...

thanks

You need to check out the many timber yards in Melbourne. I personally like Mathews Timber in Knoxfield. You'll probably find the timber yards are cheaper and have a MUCH larger range of timber than Bunnings. What part of Melbourne are you in?

Welcome Chris and great job on the table. Your dog also looks very contented.
As for how to get timber the sizes you want it and dressed, some better timber yards will do it for you but probably charge for the service. Eventually you will want your own equipment to do this which will add to the enjoyment of being able to size your wood to what ever you want, and at any time.
You threw me when you were asking about lumber and come from Melbourne, but I soon realised that your name included Calgary so I assume you have Canadian heritage.

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Originally Posted by BEM

You need to check out the many timber yards in Melbourne. I personally like Mathews Timber in Knoxfield. You'll probably find the timber yards are cheaper and have a MUCH larger range of timber than Bunnings. What part of Melbourne are you in?

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Thanks for the recommendation - I've been looking at timber online, but it seems like it's something that requires a proper visit to get a sense of what's available, what it looks like etc. I'm near Essendon - anything you'd recommend up my way?

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Originally Posted by Treecycle

Welcome Chris and great job on the table. Your dog also looks very contented.
As for how to get timber the sizes you want it and dressed, some better timber yards will do it for you but probably charge for the service. Eventually you will want your own equipment to do this which will add to the enjoyment of being able to size your wood to what ever you want, and at any time.
You threw me when you were asking about lumber and come from Melbourne, but I soon realised that your name included Calgary so I assume you have Canadian heritage.

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Haha, you caught me - good guess. I actually realised I said lumber and went to edit it, but because I'm still new I think the mods review all of my posts and I couldn't catch it! I have looked at the Dewalt thicknesser but I think the missus would kill me and it would presumably also require proper dust extraction (I currently just have the shop vac). I need to figure out if this is a new hobby, or just my new covid hobby! I've been having fun so far though....

For the moment I'm happy to pay to have things dressed, so if you have any recommendations of good timber yards near Essendon I'm all ears!

Thanks for the compliments on the table - it was done in a classroom environment, with all the right tools, but I'm still pleased at how it came out. The dog house came out okay - it was more of a challenge as I didn't have plans and everything seemed to be a little off in measurements, making everything just a little more challenging! Taught me lots of valuable lessons though - like if you're using plywood as a floor, check that it's square first, otherwise everything afterwards needs to be adjusted :P

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Originally Posted by calgarychris

Haha, you caught me - good guess. I actually realised I said lumber and went to edit it, but because I'm still new I think the mods review all of my posts and I couldn't catch it! I have looked at the Dewalt thicknesser but I think the missus would kill me and it would presumably also require proper dust extraction (I currently just have the shop vac). I need to figure out if this is a new hobby, or just my new covid hobby! I've been having fun so far though....

For the moment I'm happy to pay to have things dressed, so if you have any recommendations of good timber yards near Essendon I'm all ears!

Thanks for the compliments on the table - it was done in a classroom environment, with all the right tools, but I'm still pleased at how it came out. The dog house came out okay - it was more of a challenge as I didn't have plans and everything seemed to be a little off in measurements, making everything just a little more challenging! Taught me lots of valuable lessons though - like if you're using plywood as a floor, check that it's square first, otherwise everything afterwards needs to be adjusted :P

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Early Christmas Present to self!!

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Originally Posted by crowie

Early Christmas Present to self!!

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Haha, remember when your parents warned you about meeting people that are bad influences...Haha - joining this forum might get expensive!

Welcome to the forum