I did end up signing up near the deadline last week (as I posted above), but I also ended up requesting a refund a couple days later. After I browsed through the course material (no, I didn't download/screencap any stuff), I decided (a) the projects weren't projects I was interested in, not my style, and (b) I felt I could learn/figure out most of the stuff myself, and decided I'd rather spend the money on lumber or saw blades.

I think Steve is great, but for where I am now, it just wasn't right.

 

Find a seasoned wood worker and go to them for lessons.

- Kelster58

Totally agree! Your learning process will accelerate considerably if you have a good, experienced woodworker not only teaching you, but more importantly, observing you and providing corrective guidance. Books, magazines and YouTubes can tell you how it s supposed to be done, but they cannot provide interactive feedback indicating if you are doing it correctly yourself.

This strikes me as a particularly good idea. How does someone go about finding someone who knows what they re doing? I don t think I have any friends that do woodworking of any kind.

- BlackRibbonDesigns

I see you're in St. Louis. I would start here if I were you.

I took a class offered at my local Woodcraft. The instructor was awesome. In addition to teaching at Woodcraft, he offered his students time in his professional shop at $25/hr. That included unlimited advice/instruction/assistance and access to all the toys…I mean tools. No, it wasn't free, but he had over 50 years' experience, all the power and hand tools you could ever want, and was an interesting character to boot. It was a helluva deal. He also loved finding great deals on lumber. He had the wherewithal to buy by the trainload and pay with cash, so he got some dandy deals. He always passed the savings on to his students. Unfortunately, he passed away from sinus cancer.

Obviously, not everyone is going to have a guy like that nearby. I don't anymore However, ask around. See if there's a woodworker's guild reasonably close. That'll get you in touch with like-minded folks, most of whom have more experience then you, who are also interested in sharing their knowledge. Many guilds have workshops available to members as well.

Ask at your local woodworking store if you have one. They probably know all the hardcore, experienced woodworkers in the area and may be able to connect you to someone that's willing to take on an informal apprentice.

Put an ad on Craigslist.

 

This strikes me as a particularly good idea. How does someone go about finding someone who knows what they re doing?

- BlackRibbonDesigns

It s easy to say go find some one who knows but then you actually have to find someone who does, and is willing to teach, and has the disposition and skills to teach, good luck getting that for free.

- Woodknack

Woodworkers' guilds usually cost around $50 per year +/- and typically include monthly meetings, which often include instruction, access to experienced woodworkers that are eager to share their knowledge, and some even have a structured mentorship program.

Technically, $4.17 per month isn't free, but for a year's worth of interactive, face-to-face access to woodworking experts, it's a pretty sweet deal.

 

I seriously doubt you will find any quality instruction for $4 month, or quality anything. Most of us spend more on sandpaper. If your going to take classes, take classes from someone with decades of experience. There are plenty of guys in my area who "teach" woodworking classes but they have little actual experience and you'll spend most of the day standing around while they figure out how to do what they are teaching.

 

Technically, $4.17 per month isn t free, but for a year s worth of interactive, face-to-face access to woodworking experts, it s a pretty sweet deal.

- Jon Hobbs

As long as you have time for that or can make it fit your schedule.

I would suggest building a few of Steve Ramsey's projects with free plans just to get your feet wet. They are mostly "use around the house" type stools, benches, tables and storage cabinets. I think I've built 7 or 8 of them. What I would strive for is that each one you build gets progressively better in terms of fit, finish and overall quality.

 

Technically, $4.17 per month isn t free, but for a year s worth of interactive, face-to-face access to woodworking experts, it s a pretty sweet deal.

- Jon Hobbs

As long as you have time for that or can make it fit your schedule.

- Andybb

Yeah, you're right. That's a horrible idea. Not sure what I was thinking.

 

If your going to take classes, take classes from someone with decades of experience.

- Woodknack

And where do you find these guys with decades of experience and mad teaching skilz??

 

And where do you find these guys with decades of experience and mad teaching skilz??

- Jon Hobbs

Hyperbole aside, that was exactly my point. You're looking for someone with 2 skill sets, I wouldn't expect them to teach for free.

There are exceptions, I have a neighbor who is a master at segmented turning and gives free classes but he doesn't teach woodturning so you need to have that skill first.

 

I see you re in St. Louis. I would start here if I were you.

This looks interesting. Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely look into my local guild.

 

I invite noobs into my shop often, you might want to start a new thread asking if there are any woodworkers in your area where you can watch,and observe, then under supervision work on some projects of your own. Your mention of already using a CNC for sign making could be a very attractive lure, because you possess knowledge of a "new" portion of woodworking, or at least one that is growing and expanding. So you could offer a swap of TS, Jointer, Planer, Router for CNC.

Beyond that I suggest to new guys to go to You tube, and search whatever it is you want to do. Again your knowledge will help in weeding out the, well you know, junk. Most make it readily apparent by their delivery, but especially their approach to shop safety. I imagine if you were to post here for suggestions of a good video showing how to….. that you would get great answers.

Not saying Ramsey may not offer good content for the money, but often that type of class is for someone who doesn't want to go looking for better, or more specific information.

 

One thing I'm not sure was mentioned, but are resources for information are woodworking periodicals. You can subscribe and look forward to reading them each month. They all have projects with detailed explanations of how to build them. Most are with tools and equipment that a weekend warrior would have available. They also have tips and tricks which can be helpful. Aside from a new subscription, try visiting a second hand book store. Many carry old issues at 50 cent a piece and also have books on cabinet making and woodworking.

I've done all of the aforementioned in addition to looking at online videos and of course reading quite a bit here on LJs and other sites. If I were to pay for a course, it would be a hands-on course in the presence of the instructor, where I would get direct/immediate feedback. Taking a week or more at one of the woodworking schools around the country is something I'm considering.

 

I can't thank you all enough for your suggestions. It is very much appreciated and I'm amazed by the overwhelming response. What an awesome forum! Tomorrow is closing day on the new house so I get to, at very least, start moving my gear into the woodshop…. I mean, garage.

Thanks again.

 

One thing I m not sure was mentioned, but are resources for information are woodworking periodicals. You can subscribe and look forward to reading them each month. They all have projects with detailed explanations of how to build them. Most are with tools and equipment that a weekend warrior would have available. They also have tips and tricks which can be helpful. Aside from a new subscription, try visiting a second hand book store. Many carry old issues at 50 cent a piece and also have books on cabinet making and woodworking.

- builtinbkyn

Awesome suggestion. Any magazines in particular that I should look into?

 

The few I look at are Fine Woodworking, Woodworker's Journal and Popular Woodworking.

 

I would buy the Taunton books instead of subscribe to Fine Woodworking, cheaper, and it's the same info all in one place.

 

Steve Ramsey was the reason I returned to woodworking. He made it fun again after I had pretty much burned myself out. He got me hooked on YouTube woodworking videos. I have learned so much from guys like Jay Bates, Frank Makes, The Wood Whisperer, Matthias Wandel…and many many others.
The great thing is it's all free and at your fingertips.
It's up to you… if you think you need a more structured format then give Steve's program a go.

Have fun!

Chem