2012 Resolutions

I am still away from home and my tools until next week. Therefore, aside from lots of reading, I have been thinking about the New Year ahead and how it relates to my personal wood working aspirations...

So ... My wood working New Years Resolutions, Aspirations, Hopes & Goals for 2012.

• Take my quality of working to the next level.
• Attend at least one (1 week)  wood working course.
• Improve my finishing skills (including patience).
• Work with more hard woods.
• Have the confidence to try more complicated & challenging joinery.
• Work on longer term larger projects.
• Sell some of the things I make.

Id be really interested in other peoples goals for the year ahead especially those beginners like myself.

Happy New Year Everyone!..

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5 woodworking resolutions you can keep

Happy New Year! 

As we enter 2014, here are a few tips for you to consider implementing in your workshop. None of these will cost you a cent and may help you to focus on woodworking rather than its trappings.
1. AVOID BUYING TOOLSDont buy a tool because you want it, but only if you absolutely need it. Even then, try find creative solutions using tools you already own first.
2. LEND YOUR TOOLS TO PEOPLE WHO ASKBe a Good Guy Woodworker. Ditch the arrogant, "dont even look at them" mentality. Friendships and goodwill are more valuable than objects.

3. SCRAP THE SCRAPSSpend one hour - just one day this year - throwing away scrap lumber. Especially those tiny cut-offs. Be honest with yourself: if there are scraps you havent touched in a year, you probably wont use them. 

4. CREATE, DONT COLLECTIf you have tools that serve only to gather dust, sell them or give them away. Avoid emotional attachments to tools which can lead to hoarding and stifle productivity. Decluttering your shop will declutter your mind.