Long time lurker, first woodworking attempts!

[Johnmac]

Evening all.

 

I've been visiting the forum for some time and I've been very impressed with some of the skills on display. I've always fancied having a go at woodworking, and over the last few months I've steadily been acquiring a few bits and pieces, some new some second hand and trolling YouTube and this page for ideas and advice.

 

Anyway, I've had a few attempts at chopping boards using pine from wickes (don't laugh!) I know it's no use for chopping boards but I wanted to practice on cheap (total cost £2!) wood before progressing. I should add I'm using them anyway and after a few weeks they are holding up!

 

I then bought a few hardwood off cuts from eBay and made a 'proper' board. Now I've taken the plunge and bought a small Alaskan chainsaw mill for my ms181.... Yes I did say a 181! to mill my own wood. I've another bigger saw in the pipeline, so no doubt you'll hear more from me as I progress. Look forward to some tips and hints!

 

Pics to follow when I figure out how to post them!

 

John.

[se7enthdevil]

sorry but i have to laugh at a wickes wood chopping board:lol::lol:

 

 

where are you located, you may be able to get some advice from a fellow wood crafter.

 

if you are anywhere near me you are welcome to pop round for a bit of tuition.

[Gnome]

Welcome John,

 

Nothing wrong with using whatever you can get your hands on in my book.

 

Looking forward to the pics(dead easy to upload)

[Johnmac]

Hopefully 'wickes' chopping board number one, complete with wobbly routing Edited October 26, 2015 by Johnmac

[Johnmac]

'Wickes' chopping board number 2!

[Johnmac]

 

My first 'professional' attempt. Having cut my teeth on wickes pine :-0 I made this board out of strips of white ash and walnut with off cuts bought from eBay. It's approx 12" x 12" and 1" thick. I was pretty chuffed with it!

Edited October 26, 2015 by Johnmac

[Johnmac]

 

Lastly.... My first attempt with the Alaskan Mill. A length of Alder that I'd had lying outside for around three years. Tiny I know, but I only have a MS181! I think I'll make a little tea light holder from this.

 

I've got a much bigger saw on the way then I can start to mill some of my own planks for future projects.

 

I've got a reasonable (free) supply of Ash and Alder, plus Willow, Birch and Sycamore. Any suggestions which I should target first and why?

[Ian Leach]

Looking good, I would use what wood you can get to practice on.

[Johnmac]

Hi folks. Thanks for the welcome. Yes, I thought the Wickes comment would get some laughs, but it was a cheap way of practising!

 

I'm in Perthshire, Scotland.

 

Really looking forward to milling my first decent log!

[se7enthdevil]

willow isn't much use for anything in my opinion. birch will rot in 5 minutes if you let it. not sure about alder as i've never had any. ash and sycamore can be left for a while before any major decay takes place i think.