Basic Woodwork?

[Paddy]

good luck with the building project bryony, hope it all goes well. it is always nice looking back at an enclosure you have built and decorated yourself, well in my opinion anyway!

one question, someone mentioned getting a brad gun! what the hell is one of them? i know a guy called brad, and he has a gun - could i just borrow that?

[Sdaji]

Wow, you guys are so much more into preparation and stuff than I am! I started out knowing nothing and having very $#!tty tools and going hack I think you learn heaps faster, cheaper and with more fun by having a go at buildling stuff than reading a book or doing a course (well, not that I've ever really read or studied on the subject). My first enclosures turned out really well and although it took a while to work a few things out, I'm sure it was faster than learning with any other method and definately much more enjoyable and satisfying.

As for tools, it's so nice having the right one for the job, but I usually end up improvising with something completely inapropriate! The enclosures have always turned out great

Bunnings is awesome! I've spent thousands there over the last few years

[dobermanmick]

A brad gun is a small air operated gun like a nail gun but the nails it uses are called brads mine also does staples I think builders use them mainly for the skirting boards and finishing we use them for making cupboards at work in some of the 5th wheelers and motorhomes we build

Dont know if its been said yet, but the best way to learn things is one on one from an experienced woodworker. All the books in the world couldnt teach the basics like a "good ol' hand"

Cheers, Alan.

[sobrien]

When building with melamine, do you glue it together with silicon or something similar (aswell as screws)?? Also, can you use a basic circular saw to cut it?
Cheers, Simon

[Sdaji]

I use a circular saw to cut. You need to be pretty good to get a perfect line with one, so if you're like me get an electric planer

I use screws, no glue. Do you mean silicone (cf silicon) to seal the corners inside or to hold the thing together structurally? I sometimes use it as a sealant, but find it wears out within a couple of years so don't always bother.

[pythonkisses]

DONT FORGET THE BAN AIDS

LOL

PK

[Bryony]

thanx PK
i'll need them
lol

[pythonkisses]

Hello Bryony,

my brother in law does kitchens etc and he said he will make one for me out of an old kitchen which you can pick up so cheap then just add the bit and that to it.
If you don't have any banaids ill send you some lol Well a big first aid kit
ahhahahahahahahahah

PK

[Sdaji]

DONT FORGET THE BAN AIDS

I've never cut myself building wooden enclosures but once put myself in hospital while trying to cut a ventilation hole in a small plastic tub for a hatchling Stanly knifes are dangerous

When I got to hospital (before they did anything to help me!) they asked me to answer survey questions, I had to tell them what I was doing when I injured myself, I think I put it in the 'religious activies' category or something

[peterescue]

Use pva even when using melamine.
and
Sherman is soooo right. Half a day with some one not only with knowlegde and skill but the ability to impart it can set you up.
This will help when using extremely dangerous tools like circular saws. Always buy one with a safety trigger.
Dr Ryan is my hero, he sewed my thumb back on.

I have cut myself

[Fuscus]

Tools will only bite you after you loss your fear of them - so never be careless with tools.

Incidently, I have never been hurt by a building tool.
Kitchen knifes, on the other hand, are a different matter.

[peterescue]

I was on a site and someone had been cutting batons and left the saw sitting in the timber. Im big on safety and I abused the person and lent over to remove it. The switch was fault and it turned on and basically pulled itself out and came back over my left hand.
4 months off work and the conception of my son so good comes from bad.

[Magpie]

Maori's believe a job is bad luck till blood is spilt.
I'd be the ultimate good luck tool.

[Sdaji]

I like that philosophy