[rcoleman314]

Hello, my name is Ruth. I am a project manager in the insurance industry.

This past spring, I saw the need to replace a few boards on my 12 x 40 back deck. The end of that project resulted in the replacement of the entire deck above the 10' support beams up. This is when I realized I love working with wood.

It is clear I am not alone and I have found that every time I think I have come up with a brilliant idea, someone has invented a cool tool for it.
This is like a grown-up playground!!

This also feeds my love for learning, because oh-my God, there are so many tools.

 

[DesertRatTom]

Those are the early signs of addiction Ruth. There is just something about working with wood that is very satisfying. I've been a consultant about half my life, so my accomplishments are measured by the results others produce. It's all kind of indirect. But with wood projects, when it's done, you can see it, touch it, pay for it. A very pleasant satisfying feeling.

So welcome to the Forum. We take good care of new members here because we were all newbies at one time. I've attached a pdf of the "17 things" that helped accelerated my learning curve. It's kind of long, but has pictures. I hope it will be helpful and save you spending money on stuff you're unlikely to use.

Do ask lots of questions and post pictures of your projects. You can post pictures directly from your hard drive. Expect lots of answers, including alternatives. And someone on here owns just about every tool ever available so we can steer you to good choices.

 

[DaninVan]

Hey, Ruth; welcome!
The '12 Step Program' here is basically which tools to buy first...
But seriously, anything which can eat wood can do the same for your extremities. If there's a safety warning about some specific tool or operation, pay attention!
Power tools are not forgiving.

 

[RainMan 2.0]

Welcome to the forum Ruth. Tool addiction is a serious problem ,effecting over 50% of adults .
I have it bad,and am seeking professional help :grin:

 

[Herb Stoops]

Welcome to the forum Ruth. Tool addiction is a serious problem ,effecting over 50% of adults .
I have it bad,and am seeking professional help :grin:

Maybe the professional help can recommend an insulator. If you are going to go into the CNC business you will require a year around shop, and the CNC machine will like that too.
Herb

 

[Semipro]

Hello and welcome to the router forum,Ruth

 

[Knothead47]

Welcome to the forum and The Wonderful World of Woodworking. One thing that Tom did not include in his list- a credit card with a high limit.

 

[difalkner]

Welcome to the forum, Ruth! When you get a minute complete your profile with first name so it clears the N/a in the left panel.

You can post photos of your projects, tools, shop, etc. whenever you get ready.

David

 

[jj777746]

Welcome to the best, Router Forum Ruth. You will find the answers to all your questions right here. James jj777746.

 

[CharleyL]

Welcome Ruth, We love to help each other with woodworking problems and we love to see photos of each other's work. Tool addiction is a common problem in woodworking and most of us here have it bad. Some are seeking help, but then a few of us, like me, tend to just run wide open, buying just about any new tool on the market that I can find a good use for. I not only collect/horde woodworking tools, but also accumulating metalworking, computers, photography equipment, etc. What I'm trying to say is that "I think you will fit right in here".

Charley

 

[Stick486]

Hello, my name is Ruth. I am a project manager in the insurance industry.

This past spring, I saw the need to replace a few boards on my 12 x 40 back deck. The end of that project resulted in the replacement of the entire deck above the 10' support beams up. This is when I realized I love working with wood.

It is clear I am not alone and I have found that every time I think I have come up with a brilliant idea, someone has invented a cool tool for it.
This is like a grown-up playground!!

This also feeds my love for learning, because oh-my God, there are so many tools.

Welcome N/A aka Ruth... (could you fix your profile please)
yur gonna really love it here...

BTW....
the one thing we shine/excel at here is helping you spend your money...
and getting tool ''gifts'' from the new bodies such as yourself...

let's get you at least started safely in the right direction...
go over to this link ......
bring some extra midnight oil....

 

[old55]

Welcome to the forum Ruth.

 

[sreilly]

Welcome to the group Ruth. Here helping one another is as common as breathing and most all of us breath. This is a place of knowledge and learning. One of the amazing things about woodworking is that there are so many ways to accomplish so many tasks and the process of taking a piece of wood and turning it into something for a specific need/use or a personal piece of art is extremely gratifying. I look over some of my first projects and know where the mistakes were made and unless I point them out most people will never see them. Those are my lessons and reminders, my "I should haves". I have never made the perfect project yet but I have been extremely satisfied in many knowing that I am not a professional and yet I was still able to produce this with great pride.

What I've learned is buy tools by need and buy good proven tools. Subscribe to some good woodworking magazines and learn from each issue. The projects may not be something you're overly interested but the skills and methods learned will lend themselves to something that does. When you buy router or drills bits don't shop by price but rather quality that will last. The same goes for tools. And don't forget that with Black Friday rust around the corner you're likely to find some really good bargains that will be very tempting. And then there is always the well cared for used tools as well. Welcome to the landlocked "boat" syndrome and enjoy the journey.

 

[Roy Drake]

Welcome, Ruth. Glad you're here. REMEMBER: You can NEVER have enough tools - especially ROUTERS!!! You've found a great source of knowledge, help, encouragement, a great source of humor and, occasionally, a little sarcasm. We love it. Join the fun.

 

[Danman1957]

Welcome Ruth,
I think people who join this and other woodworking forums are doing so because they are passionate about woodworking. When your hobby is your passion it is also a pleasure to complete tasks and learn new techniques. You are in the right place and you will find a wealth of knowledge at your disposal, all you have to do is ask and you will usually get several opinions on whatever you need to know.

Dan

 

[roxanne562001]

Welcome to the forum Ruth !!!!! There is allot of great info here.

 

[curiousgeorge]

Welcome to the forums, Ruth. I am a MAJOR tool junkie and, if you don't mind, a bit of caution on tool collecting. I now have so many tools there is no room left in my shop to do any work without moving some tools outside. ;-)

 

[Garyk]

Welcome to the forum Ruth, I can see you have already discovered that "tool stores are the candy store for woodworkers". As mentioned above read the safety instructions and be careful. Most woodworkers I know have a scar or two to show they didn't read them. Like anything else the risks are manageable.

 

[thomas1389]

Welcome, Ruth. Once bitten by the tool bug the need begins to swell. There has been very little done by medical experts to find a cure. Eventually the swelling may subside but never completely go away. You'll exhibit the symptoms forever.

 

[MEBCWD]

Welcome to the Router Forums Ruth.

Just ask us anything and you will get all kinds of answers, opinions and possibly more questions.