You’ve figured out how to grill a pretty good steak. You know the best time of day to catch a quick nap. You’ve watched all the action movies and maybe even a few tear-jerkers on Netflix. Now what?
Have you thought about woodworking? I mean, remember that stint in shop class you did way back in junior high? Remember the bookshelf you made? I sure remember mine. We’re so impatient at that age. I remember continually thinking, “Exactly how much longer do I have to sand this thing? Isn’t it smooth enough yet?”
Now you’re older and (hopefully) wiser. But wasn’t that fun when you think back on it? Making something with your own hands… enjoying the process and learning how it’s done? Pretty satisfying stuff. Woodworking is a blend of craftsmanship, creativity, and convincing your spouse that a brand-new table saw would make the perfect addition to your garage.
So, Why Woodworking?
Well frankly, “I’m into woodworking” sounds a whole lot better than “I’ve got nothing to do and am tired of sitting on a park bench feeding the pigeons”. Woodworking gives you a fantastic reason to hang out in your garage without having to fire up your lawnmower. You get to build something real with your own two hands. If you do it right, maybe that thing you build will actually stand up straight and everything. You’ll derive undeniable satisfaction in being able to say, “I made this!” It won’t even matter if “this” is wobbly and jacked up looking. You’ll know you made it and had fun doing it.
What You Need (Versus What You Think You Need)
You might think you need a full array of expensive power tools in order to get started. You don’t. You can get started with simple things you probably already own. And if you get into woodworking seriously, you can always get some fancy stuff later on. Here’s a list of the basic things you should have in order to get started:
- Space: You don’t have to have a sprawling workshop like the guy in all those YouTube videos. If you can carve out a corner of your garage where you can store some tools and a little lumber, you’re off to a good start. Collect bonus points if you have an old radio out there you can turn on while you work.
- Tools: It might be tempting to run out and buy every cool new gadget at the hardware store, but let’s begin with the basics – a hammer, a saw, a tape measure, a square, and some sandpaper. You’re also gonna want some wood glue. And maybe you already own a power drill. That’s a plus. There’s no need to plop down $600 for a fancy planer at this point.
- Materials: Hang onto your money for now. Start with pine. It’s simple, cheap, forgiving, and works great for most beginner projects.
- A broom: I thought about including that under “Tools” but I decided to mention this one separately. You’re definitely going to need a broom. Cleanup after each work session should become habit. For starters, it’s the safe thing to do – and we want you to be safe. A clean workspace helps you avoid trip and slip hazards. Sawdust, as you may already know, can be quite slick under the right circumstances. Cleaning up after you work also prepares your work area so that the next time you go out there to work, you’ll be ready to jump right in with your project instead of wasting time and dampening your enthusiasm by having to clean up first.
- Resources: YouTube can definitely be your friend, but watch out when they start slinging words like “heirloom quality” right off the bat. If you’re just getting started, I recommend sticking to beginner projects that require more glue than they do skill.
- Patience: Woodworking takes time. You have to go into this hobby knowing that. If you’re one of those impatient types who microwaves Pop-Tarts because the toaster takes entirely too long, you might need to look at this as a growth opportunity. The key here is to slow down and enjoy the process.
Some Beginner Projects
- A Birdhouse: Hey – it’ll be much nicer than many of their other options – however it turns out. Birds aren’t gonna judge your work like humans might. Make ’em a nice house and stick it outside for them (and you) to enjoy.
- A Simple Shelf: Who doesn’t love a bookshelf? Need a place to store a few books? This will do the trick. Got a bunch of high school band trophies you want to display? Well here you go.
- A Cutting Board: Why not? Everyone needs a cutting board. If it winds up not being pretty enough to display out in the kitchen, then you’ve got yourself the perfect new cutting board to use when you’re grilling.
Safety First: Let’s Hang Onto Those Fingers
If you’ve made it this far with your original digits – let’s do our best to keep that trend going. Here are some tips to try to keep you out of the ER:
- Eye Protection: Sawdust in the eye is not cool. And claiming you’ve got that area covered just because you’re already wearing bifocals doesn’t count either. Spring for a decent pair of safety glasses. Don’t take chances here. This is a must.
- Ear Protection: Power tools (like spouses) can be loud. Check out some ear plugs or noise-canceling earmuffs.
- Dust Management: Inhaling sawdust. Who wants to do that? Your lungs do not want you doing that. Get a dusk mask. They’re cheap and they can be just the ticket.
- Proper Footwear: Think before you do woodworking. Are those flip-flops really gonna protect your toes when you drop a chisel? Wear appropriate shoes that do a good job of protecting your feet when you drop things. And you will definitely drop things. We all do.
- Respect The Tools: That table saw is not a toy. It’s made to cut through whatever it gets a chance to cut. Triple-check where your fingers are before you begin cutting. Are you using something with an edge like a knife or chisel? Remember that a dull knife is an unsafe knife. Make sure your tools are in good shape and you know the safe way to use them.
The Upside: Bragging Rights
There is no shame in strategically displaying your wonky bookshelf where every guest in your home or every video caller (if your kids have shown you how to do that kind of thing yet) will see it. When your family or friends see it and ask, “Where’d you get that?” you can casually say, “Oh that little thing? I made it.” Then watch – and this is the good part – watch their expression as they try to hide their confusion.
Final Thoughts
Woodworking after 50 is a super rewarding way to stay creative, active, and engaged. And it’s way more fun than rearranging your sock drawer again. Just remember this key phrase and you’ll be golden: if you mess it up, we call that “rustic charm”, not a mistake. Now grab a piece of wood, a saw, and a cold beverage. Turn on that radio and build something dude!
