How did you learn woodworking?

[Don]

What got you into it? How long have you been at it?

dawjr

[JasonB]

I got into wood working because my girlfriend got prego. I figured I should choose a job that I could see myself doing 40 years from then and I was always a little artsy, so making stuff with wood seemed like the thing for me! I've been doing it for 11 years now. Started out on the sanding table for a small custom shop. And now I work for a larger custom shop.... although lately it doesn't seem so much bigger, not much work out there, a lot of people don't have enough work to come in. We've been losing at least a shop per month in the part of Idaho where I reside. Its getting scary. Gonna try setting up in my garrage to make some extra money.

[Don]

Hey, Jason. That's the first time I've heard that reason for getting into woodworking.

It is a bit tough out there right now - side work out of the garage sounds like a good idea to keep all your eggs from being in one basket. Good luck with your efforts and all the best to you and family.

dawrj

[thekl0wn]

Let's see... Grandpa (mom's dad) has always been into making different things out of wood, rather it be whittling or his current baskets he makes on the scroll saw. Picked up some patience from him.

Dad's been in the construction realm since before I was a twinkle in the eye, so I've picked up a TON from him over the years.

Grandpa Harry (no relation, but still consider him a grandpa) has been doing the little wooden layered animals since the 70's (before they were a big hit). Picked up some of that from helping him.

Now, my other grandpa didn't contribute anything on the woodworking... Just the interest in computers.

So, let's recap...

Patience = Both Biological Grandpa's and Harry
Impatience = Dad
Being Anal = Dad & Harry
Cussing Ability = Dad
Colorblindness = Grandpa
Majority of Skills = It'd have to go to dad

[Don]

Cussing ability is a very valuable and needed skill in woodworking.

dawjr

[thekl0wn]

Cussing ability is a very valuable and needed skill in woodworking.

dawjr

As is the ability to throw a tool, and get the best ricochet to do the most inexplainable damage.

[bogydave]

How about "Am still learning"
Dad #1 of course but due to necessity from split locust fence posts to basic tables & shelves. Nothing ever fancy, just functional.
High school shop class is where I first used stationary tools like table saws, band saws, planers & lathes. Good teacher.
Liked the wood lathe. Bought a cheap lathe (first tool) in 1974, made croquet set, chess sets as a hobby. Moved to Alaska in 1978, bought a sears radial arm saw. Used it for everything imaginable & then some. (self construction projects (garage, additions, decks, shop) to furniture).
When Dad retired he bought & rebuilt an old saw mill in WV. Powered with a old chevy truck with the frame cut off at the bed & drive shaft to the saw drive pulley. (ran in reverse) He loved to cut trees into lumber. I wanted to use some of the lumber.
Self taught (still learning) hobby since. Wanting to have real wood furniture (not particle board imports)
Now I have a shop, a real workbench, a table saw , some of Dad's lumber & "time" so more learning ahead.