Hello from Florida!

2397 Views 29 Replies 14 Participants Last post by MT Stringer, Mar 30, 2018

Debbie

Discussion Starter · Mar 29, 2018

Hi everyone. I am new to woodworking but I’ve been around it all my life since my dad was a carpenter then a cabinet maker later in life. I always loved being in his workshop and the smell of fresh cut wood. Never considered doing woodworking myself until recently and definitely have a new appreciation for my dads skills. I have also come to realize that those skills are not genetically inherited! I’m having fun and wish I went down this path a long time ago. I’m looking forward to learning a lot and getting some help with problems.
I’ve lived in Florida all my life but very ready to go elsewhere. Besides my new woodworking hobby I enjoy astrophotography, fly fishing, camping, and hiking.
Thanks for the add!

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Stick486

· #2 · Mar 29, 2018

hello Debbie...
welcome...

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difalkner

· #3 · Mar 29, 2018

Welcome to the forum, Debbie! What tools do you have? Do you have a dedicated shop space? You can post photos of your projects or even your astrophotography if you want.

David

Tonto1

· #4 · Mar 29, 2018 (Edited)

Hey Debbie & welcome to the forum. These guys are the best! I don't think I've ever seen a problem not get solved & they freely share the secrets they have accumulated over their years of working wood. What part of Florida do you hail from. I'm a T-Town guy myself. Go Noles!!!

JOAT

· #5 · Mar 29, 2018 (Edited)

Welcome aboard. Florida, eh? I went there once, lots of lodge pines, bugs, and snakes, don't blame you for wanting to leave. :grin: After I retired from the Army my mother always insisted I wanted to move back to Michigan, oh was she ever wrong, but never believe me when I told her so. If you're looking, I'm single, and North Carolina is my haven of choice. And, pictures, we like lots of pictures. Shucks, I'll even provide a picture of me from my Army days.

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Cherryville Chuck

· #6 · Mar 29, 2018

Which army was that exactly Theo?

Welcome Debbie. We'll be glad to help however we can. What do you use for a telescope? Florida isn't exactly the best place for astrophotograpy because of the humid air. However, we have at least 2 members up in the high desert out west who would tell you that that's where you ought to be for that.

JOAT

· #7 · Mar 29, 2018

Cherryville Chuck said:
Which army was that exactly Theo?

Drat it, wrong picture. US Army, of course. I've got a beard now.

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Gene Howe

· #8 · Mar 29, 2018

Welcome Debbie.
Chuck's correct. For great images of our clear skies and just one observatory site, Google Kitt Peak.

Semipro

· #9 · Mar 29, 2018

Hello and welcome to the router forum Debbie

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DesertRatTom

· #10 · Mar 29, 2018

Glad you chose to join the fun. Don't know what kind of tools you have so I'm going to suggest you check this article out. It's the 17 (plus) Things That Accelerated My Learning Curve article. Lots of good information and might save you from wasting time and money as you build up your shop.

My daughter has no interest in woodworking so I'm tickled that you're taking it up. I bet your dad would be delighted. Were you able to keep any of his tools? That's always a nice thing.

We love helping folks get started around here, so ask questions, try stuff, ask about tools, comment on posts.

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Debbie

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 29, 2018

Hi David!
I share my workshop space with all the other junk that I have stuffed into my very small one car garage. For now I have everything on wheels but I don’t anticipate doing any large projects so it works. I’ve accumulaed tools over the years. I have a Bosch 1617 router and table, a Bosch 4100 table saw, Bosch jigsaw, kobalt compound miter saw, Mikita orbital sander, and assorted drills. I’m also playing around with a wood burner. I’ve spent a bundle on wood over th last few weeks and don’t really have anything to show for it (except a garage floor nicely coated with a thIck layer of saw dust) so I’m going to post one of my astronomy images (horse head nebula)!

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Debbie

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 29, 2018

Hi Quenten! I’m excited to see how friendly you guys are. I’ve got lots of questions but I’m trying to do a little online research before I ask a question that has been answered a million time elsewhere.
Uh oh! I’m from pompano beach and it’s “All About the U”. Yup, I’m a Canes fan! At least your not a Gator! Lol!

Reactions: 1

Debbie

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 29, 2018

Love the hat! Lol. North Carolina is definitely part of the plan but I have to retire first. As little as 5 years but more like 10. So all I do now is dream and plan. You get used to the bugs. It I’ll never get used to the snakes! Especially the pythons and boas that are all over the Everglades. I’ve spent a lot time out there at night doing astrophotography and they are attracted to the heat given off by the car when you shut if off. They climb into the wheel wells! Hasn’t happened to me yet but you will probably hear my scream all the way up in NC!

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Debbie

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 29, 2018

Hi Charles! Boy are you right about the humidity!!! But we are at least lucky enough to have the “semi” dark skies of the Everglades nearby. I would love to be out west. I belong to a a forum called RVers with telescopes and they go to some really awesome locations out west. I am so jealous. Here’s a pic of my telescope setup. Do you have a telescope?

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Debbie

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 29, 2018

Very jealous!!! I did the overnight astronomy program at Kitt Peak years ago. What a great experience!!

Debbie

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 29, 2018

Thanks Tom! I’ll read the link tonight. My hobbies always seem to involve me spending a lot of unnecessary money! Lol. My dad is still around but his health prevents him from doing much of anything lately. Had to sell their house , his shop and most of his tools last year. Such a shame, a lifelong passion gone in an instant. Everyone says I’m a “chip off the old block”. I hope so!

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MT Stringer

· #17 · Mar 29, 2018

Welcome aboard. Like the photo. We like pictures!:grin: Feel free to browse through my projects. You might find some inspiration in a few of them.

I can't seem to get past the moon with my pics! :surprise::grin::grin::grin:
Mike.

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Reactions: 2

DaninVan

· #18 · Mar 29, 2018

Hey, Debbie; welcome!
Thanks for filling out your profile, makes it way easier to answer posted questions when the tool availability is known.
Great router and saw choices by the way!

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DesertRatTom

· #19 · Mar 29, 2018

Yup, good tool choices. Best vacations I've ever spent were in Florida. Only time my type A settled down completely was a week in the middle Keys a few years ago. You might start with some boxes, good projects and will get you going on finishing as well. Then try a tool stand on wheels, make a cabinet with a door. You'll use it forever.

woodknots

· #20 · Mar 29, 2018

Hello Debbie - welcome to the forums. You will find a lot of knowledge here, offered by some very friendly folks who are eager to help.

Bosch is good, I too have a 1617 router, 4100 table saw along with a pile of other tools.

Just spent 6 weeks in the Ft. Walton Beach area (our third year) and like the area a lot.

Since you're into astrophotography, not sure if you've seen this website, but you might appreciate it: Jimmy Walker is a pro on the PGA golf tour (yes, we love golf too) and he's been into that hobby for a while. Check out his website and have a look at the "Under the Stars" tab for some incredible images.

Jimmy Walker | Official Website

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