A Journey with PS Woodworks
You know, some days you wake up and you just feel it in your bones – you’ve got a project brewing inside of you that’s just itching to come to life. That’s how I felt the day I decided to get into woodworking, specifically with a great little company called PS Woodworks. Now, I’m not saying I’m some kind of master craftsman (heavens no), but I’ve spent enough time in the garage trying to coax wood into submission that I’ve learned a thing or two.
So, let’s take a stroll down memory lane to that fateful day. The light was just right, filtering through my garage windows, revealing the dust motes floating around like they were dancing to some old-timey song. I was sipping coffee, feeling inspired—though, to be honest, I couldn’t decide if it was the caffeine or the cool smell of freshly cut pine that had me all jazzed up.
The Ambitious Project
So, there I was, all wide-eyed, planning a coffee table for the living room. Nothing fancy, just a solid piece of work that could withstand the inevitable spills from my kids, and one that my wife would actually allow in the house. So I pulled up PS Woodworks on my laptop and started nose-deep into their wooden options. They had all kinds of cuts, from oak to mahogany—each with its own charm (and price tag!).
I settled on a nice, sturdy piece of oak. So aromatic, too! There’s something so satisfying about that earthy smell you get when you cut into fresh wood. I can’t help but picture those giant oak trees standing tall in some grove, just waiting for someone like me to take a slice out of their noble existence for a good cause—a table, in this case.
Now, right here’s where I should’ve paused for a second. I mean, I got ahead of myself with excitement. I went into this project all guns blazing. I didn’t really take a moment to consider the fact that I was still pretty much a novice—never really worked with oak before. Turns out, oak is a whole different beast than the pine I was used to. Lesson one: pick your materials wisely, or, you know, at least read a thing or two about them.
The Mistakes
Things started to unravel fast. Picture this: I’m standing there with my trusty circular saw, feeling all proud. I’ve watched enough YouTube videos to think I’m an expert now. I remember the sound the saw made when it bit into that oak. It was like a low growl—powerful and intimidating. But I had my ear protection on, so I didn’t hear the faintest whispers of caution urging me to slow down and think it through.
Long story short, the first cut was a disaster. I mismeasured by, oh, maybe a whole inch. So now I’m standing there with this hefty plank of wood that looked more like a skateboard than a coffee table. I almost gave up when I stepped back and threw my hands up in frustration. I was ready to pack it all up and just buy some particleboard monstrosity from the store instead.
But then I glanced at the piece again, now with a little more clarity—my beloved oak still had potential, even if I had made a mess of the initial cut. I laughed when I realized I could turn the thing into a set of rustic coasters instead. You see, mistakes can lead you down these funny little paths. Sometimes the best things come from what you thought was a goner.
Finding My Groove
So I grabbed my chisel and got to work. I still had a whole chunk of wood to play with after all. Removing the bark and smoothing out the edges was, honestly, one of my favorite parts. The way the wood felt under my hands—the texture, the weight of it—it was like talking to an old friend. I even took a break halfway through to grab a cold beer and just soak it all in. The smell of wood shavings curling up around me, the sun streaming through, life felt pretty darn good.
Then there were more mistakes, of course. There’s always a moment when you think, “What have I done?” I had a few alignment issues when I moved on to assemble the pieces into coasters. I didn’t think about how much glue I should really use. The whole thing turned to a sticky mess at one point, and I nearly convinced myself the universe just wasn’t letting this project happen. But I kept at it.
I finally let those coasters dry overnight and had this tiny glimmer of hope. I couldn’t help but think, “Maybe this isn’t a total flop after all.” And when I finally sanded them down and saw the finish—it was like magic. Little specks of grain popped up, and the warm tones of the oak shone through. It made the frustration worth it.
Warm Takeaway
So here I am now, telling you this story over coffee. I still laugh about that first messy board I cut. Sure, it didn’t lead to the coffee table I envisioned, but it did give me a way to sit down with my family, drink coffee, and enjoy a piece of our living room that I made with my own two hands. Those coasters? They sparked a whole new journey.
If there’s anything I wish someone had told me about getting into woodworking, it’s this: don’t stress the mistakes. They’re just part of the wood’s story—and yours, too. If you’re thinking about trying your hand at this, just go for it. You might surprise yourself. Just remember, at the end of the day, it’s about the journey more than the destination, and that’s what makes it all worthwhile.
