Just Another Day in the Garage: A Tale of the 2021 Electric Woodworking Planer
You know, I always fancied myself a bit of a woodworker. Nothing super fancy, but just enough to keep my garage filled with sawdust and the occasional curse word when things went sideways. So, a couple of years back, I decided it was high time to get myself a real tool—a powerful automatic electric woodworking planer. I mean, why struggle with hand planes when this baby could do the job in seconds, right? I got myself a Dewalt DW735X, and lemme tell ya, that thing is a game-changer… or, at least it promised to be.
The First Encounter
I remember the day I brought it home all too well. The sun was shining, and I was feeling pretty proud of my purchase. I unboxed it like a kid on Christmas morning. There it was, sleek and shiny, just begging to turn rough lumber into something a little less rough. I dragged it into the garage, powered it up, and marvelled at the whirring sound—I could practically hear my dreams of crafty independence humming away.
But, well, dreams don’t always work out the way we imagine, do they?
That First Project
My first project was a simple bookshelf. I grabbed some old pine I got from a friend—it had knots and rough edges, the kind of wood you just know is gonna put up a fight. Armed with my new planer, I thought I was unstoppable. I set the thickness and started feeding it through. Oh boy, was that a lesson!
You’d think it would just glide right through, but nope. It got jammed. I mean, it felt like I was wrestling an alligator. I almost yanked it out and sputtered an array of unsavory words that would’ve made my grandmother blush. But I took a deep breath, reminded myself that wood is just wood, and jumped back in.
The Sweet Smell of Success
After some trial and error—and maybe a harsh word or two to the inanimate object—I finally figured it out. What a relief it was when I got that first smooth pass to actually produce something decent. The wood came out of that planer smelling like a pine forest after rain, and the sight of those clean, smooth edges made my heart sing. I was on my way, even if it didn’t quite go as planned.
And let me tell you about the sound of that planer. It’s like music! If your idea of a good concert is the whir and the light crunch of wood being affectionately shaved away, then this is your jam.
The Not-So-Great Moments
But, of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Oh, no. I went to plane some maple, thinking I was hot stuff. You know, fancy wood, so it should be an easy job—right? Wrong. The maple was harder than I anticipated, and I ended up with snipe that looked like a dinosaur took a bite out of my board. I almost gave up at that point. It’s moments like these that make ya question your life choices, you know?
The frustration built, and I considered tossing it all into the fire pit. I laughed later, though. I mean, it was just some wood, right? But in the heat of the moment, it felt monumental.
Lessons Learned
Eventually, I learned a few things about that planer and myself. First off, it doesn’t like to be rushed. This tool is powerful, but it has its limits. Like a grumpy old man, it needs to be handled with care, and sometimes, you just gotta take a step back to clear your head. My usual mistake was trying to tackle too much at once. Turns out, patience really is a virtue—even in woodwork.
And oh, the dust! I mean, I expected some mess, but this thing could practically create a cloud. You could lose a small child in there. I started to keep a broom handy, though it usually just sat and laughed at me while I wrestled with my projects.
Reflecting on the Journey
Now, after all those bumps and bruises—figuratively and literally—I’ve got this sense of satisfaction and pride. I’ve made a few pieces that I actually put in my living room, still surprising myself now and then when I catch a glimpse of them.
I look at that planer and see more than just a tool; it’s like a partner in crime. Sure, we’ve had some not-so-great days together, but we’ve also pulled off some real beauties! Honestly, I think my favorite moment came when everything finally clicked. I was planing some cherry wood, and the surface came out looking so smooth, I couldn’t help but stare for a good few minutes. I smiled and thought, “Yeah, I did that.”
The Takeaway
So, if you’re on the fence and thinking about diving into woodworking, or maybe you’re eyeing one of these new planers—just go for it! Don’t let the fear of messing up hold you back. You’ll make mistakes, and you’ll laugh about ’em later, trust me. Find your wood, turn on that planer, and just see what happens. It could turn out to be something beautiful, or at least a good story to tell over coffee with a friend.
In the end, it’s about the journey, right? And hey, who doesn’t love a little sawdust in their coffee every now and then?
