Let me tell you a little about my self. I am a 50 year old woman who has worked in an office all her life. I have always had an interest in woodworking and using tools. I demonstrated this interest at an early age. When I was about 5 years old, I had a wooden mallet from my toy; hammer the pegs through the holes toy. I had gathered some 1 inch finishing nails. The kind of nails with no heads and therefore almost invisible to the human eye. And I had wood, the seats of my wooden sandbox, to be precise. My plan took shape.
Soon my plan was put into action. I drove about 10 of these nails into the seat of my sandbox. Through the seat if I am honest, as the 1 inch nails went easily through the 1/4 inch boards! It was fun and I felt a huge amount of pride in learning how to drive a nail.
Weeks later, summer was over and my big brother was going to empty the sand box and move it inside for the winter. Of course, the seats were the natural place to pick up the sand box. I still remember the cursing and his bleeding fingers when he discovered my handiwork. I was shocked to realize not everyone was as impressed with my skills as I was!
I never lost my interest in tools and woodworking. I began buying hand tools such as screw drivers, a hand saw and a hammer etc. Soon I needed a work bench and a toolbox to hold them all. Finally, about 15 years ago, I decided it was time to get serious.
By now, I also had a collection of small power tools; a drill, skill saw and a circular saw. I wanted to get serious about woodworking and needed a place to start. Fortunately the Humber College catalog appeared on my door step at about that time. I found a night course entitled Cabinetmaking. 2 years and many tools later I had completed the course, set up a workshop at home and developed a serious passion for woodworking.
The most important things I learned at this course were how to properly use the big power tools safely and effectively. How to plan out the project I had in mind. The correct steps to successfully complete the project and the confidence to know that if I took my time and followed the process, I too could make furniture, boxes or even works of art!
One thing I also learned was that I found it challenging at times to find information, advice and ideas all in one location. As a result I intend this blog to bring all the information and resources together in one place to share with anyone who thinks they may have the same passion.
So many women I know look shocked, which is then quickly followed by envy, when I tell them that I own power tools and know how to use them! It’s not long before they are bombarding me with questions about how to fix or make things they have always wanted to do. So many men look simply disbelieving that a woman would actually know how to use these tools!
This blog is NOT about pink tools with a floral motif in a cute case for the ladies! It’s about woodworking. The only issue for most women to consider when they take on a project is, if they are working alone, do they have the strength to handle the project safely while they are cutting, nailing or sanding.
So enjoy the information, check out the resources and ask your questions. If I don’t have an answer for you, I bet another reader will. The workshop awaits