This article is aimed at anyone thinking about starting or re-entering into the hobby of woodworking.  There are about as many reasons to start woodworking as there are people thinking about getting into it.  Fundamentals Of Woodworking.com  is targeted towards beginner and novice woodworkers, with hopefully, enough information that the experienced hand will keep coming back for a look around.

       There are a number of opinions on what you need to get started, how you should learn, and what you should do.  Most of there opinions has some basis in fact, and you will find a representative number of these on this site.  Don’t let that discourage or confuse you.  Everyone’s situation is unique, you may have time and money to go big with your workshop, or you may be on a tight budget, you may have inherited a room full of equipment, or you may have nothing.   Let these articles be a guide on your journey, pick and choose what works for you.

       I’ll start with a little of my own opinion, again you can pick and choice what you want, or just ignore my opinion and find some more to your taste.

       Woodworking can be a great hobby for anyone who likes working with their hands, so it’s smart to keep your hands safe.  Make sure you considered safety before you begin, every time.  This is a hobby enjoy it, what’s the rush.  Most injuries occur when someone instead of doing it correctly, takes a shortcut or gets sloppy with their technique.  If you don’t know the way to do something safely and correctly,   find out first.

       Start small; learn how to use the tools you have before you try and start on any real projects.  Don’t try carving a statue on day one.   Start out whittling a stick, learn how your tools work, and how the wood feels and cuts.  Maybe carving is your thing maybe not.    If you have a table saw, find a copy of the manual, and find some scrap wood you can cut.  Again get the feel of the tool and the material, learn to do it safely, correctly and efficiently.  If you don’t have any tools, start with one, don’t try and fill-up a workshop.  Get some scrap wood and begin learning.

       Before you start making major purchases get some idea of what type or types of woodworking you are likely to be undertaking.  In the long-run your skills, interests, and natural abilities may point you in a different direction, but the different types of woodworking use their own set of tools.  Will you be building furniture or cabinets, carving or turning wood, or doing marquetry?  You don’t want to be buying  a band saw when you’ll be needing  a scroll saw.  Take your time take a look at your options, then decide.

       When you have collected the correct tools, you’ll then need to get wood for the projects you are going to work on. Then you can begin your first project.  Start out with soft woods such as pine or spruce, they are easier to work with than hard woods.  Once you are comfortable, you can then move on to more exotic woods  If you are just starting out, it’s a good idea to begin with  a simple project, do it more than once, once you’re happy with the result move on to the next project.