"Getting started with woodworking" Topic

I want to make some small items (less than 2" x 2" x 0.5") out of hardwoods. I was wondering if anyone on this board has experience with hardwoods. There are several places on the internet where I can buy quality pieces of "micro lumber" hardwood (in other words…small boards, but of quality hardwood species).

I know nothing about woodworking.

What tools would you use to flatten, square up, cut, shape, and finish hardwood to a high degree of polish?

I have a bench pin and am pretty handy with a jeweler's saw, I also have a JoolTool and a flexshaft…are any of these useful for this purpose?

Unless you plan on making lots and lots of them, the cost of the equipment will be more than buying them custom made. For cutting to length and width, a small table saw is best. To cut to the right thickness, you need a planner. Even trying to do this work with hand tools will require an investment in a larger vice, saw and hand plane.

A better option wold be to check for a local woodworking club. They usually have members who will do small quantity piece work for good prices. They can also take a look at exactly what you want to do and offer suggestions on the best approach. Some clubs even have shops with tools you can use. A wood working specialty store like Woodcraft ( woodcraft.com ) can show you exactly what you need. Also check the local high school or vo-tech if they have a wood working shop. If you can buy the wood in the right thickness, look for a laser cutting service who can crank out perfect cuts quickly.

That is an awfully small piece of wood you are trying to get smooth and to size. I find bandsaws work best for small woodworking. With a tablesaw, you can get special blades that require less finishing. A plate joiner will get your pieces smooth but when only 2X2, it becomes more problematic.

A used shopsmith might be a good idea. Not sure how much they are used these days. 20 or so years ago my father and I bought a used one for $900 USD but it had been overhauled which drove the price up. These units do sawing, sanding, drilling and wood turning. The disk sander attachment is a handy one. Our unit is at my dad's so I tend to use other things.

I have a belt and disk sander combination. It is only one speed though.

Micromark.com is a great source for hobby type power equipment. You can look things up there and see if you can save money on used or on Amazon. Microlux is a common hobby size power equipment brand. Can't emphasize getting adjustable speeds enough on whatever you get.

In the end, Cold Steel is right, it might be a lot cheaper to have these made for you unless you plan on doing more projects.

Flattening wood can be problematical.

Best to find/select wood that is already flat, since otherwise it will tend to want to go back to its previous bent nature, unless attached in some way to other materials to prevent that.

ancientsgamer, thanks for the Shopsmith suggestion, as I had never heard of this tool before. Very interesting.

shopsmith.com