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My name is Bill, and planning on retiring in a few years and just starting to think about taking up wood working as a hobby. Absolute novice that will need a lot of practice, and advice before I become even a little competent.

Looking for some basic instruction, either online or simple classes in Los Angles, Orange County, Palm Springs area. Skipped wood shop in high school in favor of electronic and computer labs. Been watching videos and reading but will only learn by practicing.

Finally have a small area in a garage to set up and equip a shop, and looking for all sorts of advise. So feel free to share your opinion and and suggestions. Once equipped I will only be able to work in the shop 1 or 2 nights a week till retirement.

Glad to be here. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Welcome Bill!

Martin Sojka, Maker of Craftisian

Welcome Bill and good luck in your new adventure! It would be interesting to see how is your shop setting going on. Feel free to post some pictures of the progress.

-- Michal, http://WoodworkingWeb.com

Welcome a board . depending on the size of your shop will have alot to do with layout. Picture in your head which tools you will use the most. the ones that will get used once in a while , put them on casters so you can roll them into the corner when not being used . try to line tools up in an order that will fit your projects. And remember , sometimes you might have 8 ft or longer pcs the cut.

Wheaties

Hi Bill. I can relate to your situsation. I am also thinking retirement in a few years. I set up a shop in my garage. I keep watchilng any videos I can on youtube. I go to antique shope or rustic furniture shops and take pictures of pieces I think I might like to try and make, then go do it. The main thing is to have fun.

Welcome! Consider subscribing to a magazine (or two) for woodworker’s. They will have plans for various projects, as well as instructions on the build. Perusing a few of them may help you understand the steps and tools needed for different types of work….maybe even what types of projects you plan on building. Keep in mind, they will show a way to do something, but it will not be the only way. so covering a few of them helps you rationalize some of the various methods that all accomplish the same thing. Such knowledge will help as you plan on which tools you’ll need for the type of work you want to do.

"I long for the day when coke was a cola and a joint was a bad place to be" Merle Haggartd

Hi bill,

I started by taking few classes at the local community adult school.
That helped me tremendously, especial with the proper use and related safety for the tablesaw, bansdaw planer etc.. Some adult center have woodworking classes as well.
After that I bought lots of stuff:)

Abbas, Castro Valley, CA

one of the things I have for safety is electronic ear protection. you can buy the head set at harbor freight for about $19.00 . You put them on set the volume , you can hear the radio, or someone talking , but turn on your planer , nothing .

Wheaties

one of the things I have for safety is electronic ear protection. you can buy the head set at harbor freight for about $19.00 . You put them on set the volume , you can hear the radio, or someone talking , but turn on your planer , nothing .

Wheaties