I started woodworking more than 70 years ago. My original tools were a 12" Hobbies fretsaw (left side of Photo 1) and a Hobbies Archimedean drill (right side of Photo 1). In addition, I had a small cutting table (with a V-opening) that I clamped to a convenient table or bench. My material was 1/8" plywood recovered from the containers that were used to import Ceylon tea. I soon progressed to other hand tools (like a tenon saw and chisels) and in 1953 to powered machinery. I also moved away from plywood to solid wood. I was lucky: the carpentry foreman at the Rose Deep mine (where I lived) allowed me to rake through the offcut pile as did the owner of the local furniture factory.
The next step was to buy solid wood from the local timber yard. I can't remember exact prices, but I can tell you it was between one-thirtieth and one-fiftieth of what I pay today. I became a solid-wood bigot. Other than use for drawer bottoms and cabinet backs, I shunned plywood and Masonite as inferior materials. For twenty years I built furniture and other wooden items from solid wood. I regarded anything with veneer, plywood, chipboard or MDF as cheap and nasty. I scornfully referred to chipboard as Weetbix.
Denne historien er fra July/August 2022-utgaven av The Home Handyman.
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Denne historien er fra July/August 2022-utgaven av The Home Handyman.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SLEEP IN STYLE
This queen bed has a low profile yet it still has some unique design aspects. I used a hardwood and that made this project a little more difficult, but overall, I'm happy with how it turned out.
Paint roller tip for clean corners
When painting a room, I've found that wrapping a small sandwich bag around the roller's edge works wonders for clean corners.
Cable organiser using toilet paper rolls
Here's a clever little hack to keep your cables neat and tidy.
Metal cutting tools for home projects
I'm looking to get into metalworking and want to start with a few basic home projects, like making small furniture items and maybe even some sculptures.
Pleasurable plumbing
I just wanted to express my appreciation for your recent article on DIY plumbing fixes.
MAKE SOME NOISE!
Are you ready to embark on a musical adventure and create your very own drum kit from recycled materials? Get ready to unleash your creativity and make some noise with this fun and eco-friendly DIY project. Let’s dive into the step by-step guide and bring your mini band to life!
DIY HOME APPLIANCE REPAIR
From the whirring of the washing machine to the gentle hum of the refrigerator, our trusty home appliances keep our households running smoothly. But what happens when these essential gadgets start to falter?
EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR A PEST-FREE HOME
Pests, those unwelcome guests, can turn our homes into uncomfortable environments, disrupting our peace and posing health risks.
COMMON SEALANTS FOR DIY USE
By familiarising themselves with the diverse array of sealants available, mastering proper application techniques, and prioritising safety at every step, DIY'ers and homeowners in South Africa can tackle sealing projects with confidence and achieve lasting results that enhance the comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics of their homes.
UNLOCKING THE POWER OF ANGLE GRINDERS
In the world of DIY, few tools are as versatile and indispensable as the angle grinder. From cutting and grinding to polishing and sharpening, this powerhouse tool is a must have for any homeowner or DIY enthusiast.
