Hello,
I've made a few posts before this one, but I wanted to introduce myself to you all. I live in Queens, NY, USA. By trade I'm an operating engineer, currently working as an instrumentation & controls technician in a powerplant. I'm also in the midst of changing careers, as I recently graduated from law school (part-time, evening program) and just passed the NY bar exam. I'm interested in practicing labor-side (union) employment and benefits law. I'm presently looking for a job as an attorney, but considering the job market at present, I'm very grateful that I still have my powerplant job. Some Q&A:
What got me into woodworking? I've always admired well-made furniture and cabinetry, and the skill it takes to make such things. After I graduated from law school and took the bar, I suddenly had a lot more time on my hands than I had in the last four years! And since I would soon be leaving a trade that allowed me to work with my hands as well as my head, it was a great time to get into woodworking as an avocation.
What got me into Festools? Well, I have a thing for good tools. I was taught by my Dad and in my apprenticeship that, to borrow from the Armstrong Tools motto, good tools help make for good (and safe!) work, and more than pay for themselves in the long run.
How far down the slope have I gone? TS55 + MFT/3, ETS 150/3 + CT22 at present, plus a vari-systainer for holding my measurement tools and a sortainer for holding my pocket hole screws (McFeely's). For joinery, I'm currently using the new Kreg K4 pocket hole jig. I already owned a Bosch cordless 14.4 3/8" drill, and a Bosch 1/2" high speed drill which I use for the pocket holes. By the way, I found an adapter that goes from the 27mm Festool hose to the 1 1/4" dust collector fitting on the Kreg jig. Works great. I found it on a website that's dedicated to vacuum stuff, like filters, etc. I'll post the link in the appropriate discussion area.
What have I done so far? Not all that much, yet.
I'm working on the basics right now, making accurate, square cuts, etc. So far, I've made some simple 24" cubed storage boxes (no face frame) out of 3/4" exterior grade plywood. I finished with them with some leftover Cabot semi-opaque deck stain and hung them from the bottom of my deck's floor joists. I used the Kreg blu-kote pocket screws and Titebond II exterior grade glue. Once stained, they blended in well with the deck.
What do I want to do next? I got Bob Lang's book on making kitchen cabinets, which is a fantastic book. I want to make base and wall cabinets for storage in our basement, but first (as Lang suggests) I will try my hand at a small vanity for the half-bath that's in the basement. Then, I hope to branch out into furniture building, mainly Craftsman, Mission, Shaker, etc.
Next Festools? OF1010 and LR32 for the cabinets. Probably next after that will be an RO150, as I've got some refinishing projects here and there around the house. I like the Domino, but I might pick up a Dowelmax first.
Thanks for having me aboard.
I've made a few posts before this one, but I wanted to introduce myself to you all. I live in Queens, NY, USA. By trade I'm an operating engineer, currently working as an instrumentation & controls technician in a powerplant. I'm also in the midst of changing careers, as I recently graduated from law school (part-time, evening program) and just passed the NY bar exam. I'm interested in practicing labor-side (union) employment and benefits law. I'm presently looking for a job as an attorney, but considering the job market at present, I'm very grateful that I still have my powerplant job. Some Q&A:
What got me into woodworking? I've always admired well-made furniture and cabinetry, and the skill it takes to make such things. After I graduated from law school and took the bar, I suddenly had a lot more time on my hands than I had in the last four years! And since I would soon be leaving a trade that allowed me to work with my hands as well as my head, it was a great time to get into woodworking as an avocation.
What got me into Festools? Well, I have a thing for good tools. I was taught by my Dad and in my apprenticeship that, to borrow from the Armstrong Tools motto, good tools help make for good (and safe!) work, and more than pay for themselves in the long run.
How far down the slope have I gone? TS55 + MFT/3, ETS 150/3 + CT22 at present, plus a vari-systainer for holding my measurement tools and a sortainer for holding my pocket hole screws (McFeely's). For joinery, I'm currently using the new Kreg K4 pocket hole jig. I already owned a Bosch cordless 14.4 3/8" drill, and a Bosch 1/2" high speed drill which I use for the pocket holes. By the way, I found an adapter that goes from the 27mm Festool hose to the 1 1/4" dust collector fitting on the Kreg jig. Works great. I found it on a website that's dedicated to vacuum stuff, like filters, etc. I'll post the link in the appropriate discussion area.
What have I done so far? Not all that much, yet.
I'm working on the basics right now, making accurate, square cuts, etc. So far, I've made some simple 24" cubed storage boxes (no face frame) out of 3/4" exterior grade plywood. I finished with them with some leftover Cabot semi-opaque deck stain and hung them from the bottom of my deck's floor joists. I used the Kreg blu-kote pocket screws and Titebond II exterior grade glue. Once stained, they blended in well with the deck.What do I want to do next? I got Bob Lang's book on making kitchen cabinets, which is a fantastic book. I want to make base and wall cabinets for storage in our basement, but first (as Lang suggests) I will try my hand at a small vanity for the half-bath that's in the basement. Then, I hope to branch out into furniture building, mainly Craftsman, Mission, Shaker, etc.
Next Festools? OF1010 and LR32 for the cabinets. Probably next after that will be an RO150, as I've got some refinishing projects here and there around the house. I like the Domino, but I might pick up a Dowelmax first.
Thanks for having me aboard.
