Current Events > Anyone good with woodworking?

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How doable is it using a handsaw and electric sander to make a toddler size awaooden chair. The wood would be half inch thick, 2 feet tops each piece.

I don't wanna buy a table saw. I have a scroll saw but it's not gonna cut straight for 2 feet.

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It's probably going to look like shit. I believe Home Depot will cut wood to size for you though. Just know what measurements you need.

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i've never been able to cut a straight line with a handsaw, maybe they make a guide for them?

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The Amish do it with less. it shouldnt be bad, and you can get it cut at the lumber place usually

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Well it's not perfectly rectangle pieces I need. I have a template.

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I worked my wood twice today.


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MaddenDude-- posted...

Well it's not perfectly rectangle pieces I need. I have a template.

You might be able to pull it off, but you'll need to do a ton of sanding to fix any bad cuts. You're either looking at a lot of work or it looking like shit.

Also, it's a child's chair. You could just design one yourself that's easily made with the tools you have. It's not a complicated piece of architecture here.

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yes you can but like jiek said ur better off making ur own design intended for the tools you own

you should be able to make this template work with the wrong tools but it probably will look a bit scuffed

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Only tool I have is a scroll saw as far as cutting wood goes. The template I downloaded is for an adirondack chair. Its actually alot simpler than it seems.

I'm willing to buy new tools, I was even willing to buy a table saw tbh. This is something I've always wanted to do more of. But at the same time, I dont know when I'm gonna have time to do this stuff cuz work is still really busy.

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gotta work dat wood every mornin

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Thats not the type of chair I was thinking of you making. For that type most have like the rounded back. You're probably going to run into issues there since it's multiple slats that need to be rounded.

If that's the case, just look for a different template. I've definitely seen them where they're completely made out of straight pieces of wood. They don't look as nice but they get the job done.

Edit: something like this you'd have no trouble making


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Meh, doesn't look as nice, I want to do the one with rounded cuts. I can round the top with my scroll saw...its only like 2 inch long cuts. The hard part will be the back support beam and the base support which is slightly rounded. I can get away with not rounding the base but you can see even in that straight chair you posted, the base has a bit of a dip in it. And the arms rounded would be nice too.

The purpose of the project is not solely to build a chair, but to practice woodworking too, so I'm okay with taking on something thats challenging. If I have to buy new tools, thats fine, I'm willing to do so. I can buy a low end table saw for pretty cheap and it'll get the job done. I dont even mind spending a few hundred bucks for the tools I need....only if I NEED it.

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Ryobi looks like they have cheap tools, plus its memorial day sales. Looks like I can get a jigsaw and router tool for pretty cheap.

Can I hand sand it or is it way better just to get an electric sander?

I have several other projects in mind tbh thats why I'm willing to buy this stuff now.

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You could probably get away with hand sanding it. Edges are easier to habd sand imo.I dont see it taking too long. The biggest issue would be if you screwed up a cut and were trying to hide it. If your cuts are fine, it shouldn't need much work in that department.

But yeah, if youre going to use the tools for future projects just buy them now imo. They're nice to have for minor home repair stuff too. Like fixing a wobbly step or something takes no time if you have tools like that laying around.

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You think a jigsaw would suffice for 2 foot long straight cuts or should I just give in and buy a table saw?

I might be able to just do my curves with the scroll saw since I'm only using half inch thick wood and not need a jigsaw

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For 2 feet id use a table saw. I've never even tried with a jigsaw for something that long, but youre more likely to cut it pretty uneven at that length.

Youre probably right with the scroll saw part though. I dont see that being much of a problem. It'll probably be easier tbh

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Kk so I just need a table saw really.

I might get a router tool anyways for the edges

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MaddenDude-- posted...

You think a jigsaw would suffice for 2 foot long straight cuts or should I just give in and buy a table saw?

I might be able to just do my curves with the scroll saw since I'm only using half inch thick wood and not need a jigsaw

clamp a straightedge to the piece youre cutting for the base of the jigsaw to ride against

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Haven't had a chance to go to home depot yet. But i'm thinking I'll get the ryobi table saw and a hand plane for rounding out the edges instead of buying a router tool.

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When you say scroll saw does that mean jig saw? And when you say hand saw does that mean circular saw?

Cause those would be fine tools for that job. But if you mean literally a hand powered saw then that's gonna be damn tough.

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MaddenDude-- posted...

Haven't had a chance to go to home depot yet. But i'm thinking I'll get the ryobi table saw and a hand plane for rounding out the edges instead of buying a router tool.

You have a sander right?

You can round edges nicely with those. A router and then hand sanding is ideal but you can get nice round edges with a hand sander if you're careful and patient.

Also unless you're gonna use it a lot do not buy a table saw. That's a lot of money for a small job. A circular saw will do the job just as well assuming you can follow a line.

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CanuckCowboy posted...

When you say scroll saw does that mean jig saw? And when you say hand saw does that mean circular saw?

Cause those would be fine tools for that job. But if you mean literally a hand powered saw then that's gonna be damn tough.

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Oh we have on of those in the shop.

Literllally never seen it used. Lol.

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i have a scroll saw, not a jigsaw.

New question, where the heck do I get the wood from? I need 1/2 inch cedar wood, common stores sell like 1 inch, or 3/4th might be the smallest.

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You can get a cheap table saw for like $150. While it's not as cheap as an inexpensive circular saw, if he's going to make a hobby out of this it isn't crazy.

As far as the wood goes, youre probably best calling around to local lumber yards. They'll at least point you in the right direction. When I worked in a woodshop we just got everything from Home Depot. Also wood is apparently super expensive right now, so be prepared for some sticker shock.

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yea the ryobi saw looks like its solid and cheap, low 100s. Seen several websites that list it as the go-to bargain saw that does most home jobs.

But I'm not gonna bother until I find the wood. I will prolly go lowes and home depot tomorrow to take a look and see what they got. home depot didnt have what I wanted last time I went, but this was like 2 months ago.

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MaddenDude-- posted...

i have a scroll saw, not a jigsaw.

New question, where the heck do I get the wood from? I need 1/2 inch cedar wood, common stores sell like 1 inch, or 3/4th might be the smallest.

1/2 by what, 4? cedar hardwood? A lot of lumber isnt actually the size its labeled.. like a 2x4 isnt really 2x4

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R1masher posted...

1/2 by what, 4? cedar hardwood? A lot of lumber isnt actually the size its labeled.. like a 2x4 isnt really 2x4

1/2 by 5 ideally

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