| Blog series by ajw1978 | updated 01-26-2016 10:38 PM | 7 parts | 11814 reads | 30 comments total |
Part 1: What kind of day has it been?
The last time I sat down and shared my insane ramblings, I was giddy with excitement over a very small, very simple trophy I was working on. It was so simple, in fact, that the only tools it required were a drill and a sander. And it turned out great—except for the actual inscription, which arrived at the wrong size and I had create something temporary. I threw a few pictures up of the final product, but I’ll be adding something to the Project Section soon. In the meantime&...
Part 2: Brand loyalty: The cocaine of woodworking
As I write this, I’m staring at three sets of drill/driver combination kits and my eyes hurt from scouring the web searching for reviews, pros and cons for each set. I’m torn between fleeting brand loyalty, the thought of what “might be” for me in the hobby, and the stark realization of who I am, what I do and how infrequently I do it. So, bring a writer by trade and unable to adequately convey to the CEO just how important this decision is and how difficult it will...
Part 3: Shop status -- Full.
I’ll post some introductory reviews in the next couple days, but for now, just wanted to “show off” the latest additions to my “workshop” (a term I still use in the loosest possible sense as I’m still a Downtown-dweller with but a large patio from which to work). Last weekend, I jumped on a HD deal of the day that offered an 18V Ridgid drill/driver and impact driver kit, along with two batteries for $149. After placing the order, though, I saw the 12V Ri...
Part 4: I was told there would be no math.
I was not what most would consider “a good student” in high school. In fact, I feel like I should be paid royalties every time the phrase “[Insert name here] would be an A student if only he’d apply himself” is used to describe an underperforming student. Math was and remains my least-favorite subject. I hated algebra with every ounce of my soul and pretty much stunk up the room in every math class I ever took. In my many failed attempts at college, I was assi...
Part 5: A quick moment to say ... thanks.
Taking a break from a disastrous Christmas-present-making effort and wanted to just spend a moment saying “thanks.” In my industry, I spend a lot of time online; Facebook, Twitter, message boards, blogs and so on and so forth. Long before I discovered the joy of woodworking and tool ownership, I was a gadget geek and spent a lot of time interacting on related websites. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, both professionally and socially, over the years, it’...
Part 6: Back in the saddle (and protective glasses) again
Hell has officially thawed out (I think) so I’m back in the “shop”—a term I still, unfortunately, have to use in the loosest possible manner. So because I’m still working outdoors, and Wisconsin in winter is not conducive to outdoor work, I’ve spent most of my off-season studying, studying and reading. I managed to get a little play-time in just before the holidays; I braved the cold and set up a few tools to craft some toy boxes for the nephews. There ...
Part 7: Professional frustration
It’s been awhile, fellow jocks. Too long, if I do say so myself. So, let’s get up to speed. The last time I rambled to you fine folks, I had made the decision to transition out of journalism and into carpentry. Since I couldn’t get into the local tech school thanks to a few missed deadlines, I got hooked up with a rough carpentry crew thinking I’d learn some basic skills that would pay off down the road when I finally own and renovate my own home. So much for that; ...
