In the Woodshop with Harvey Industries
Well, grab a cup of joe and settle in, because I’ve got a story for you about my adventures with Harvey Industries woodworking. You know, it’s funny how one minute you’re just tinkering in the garage, and the next minute you find yourself in a bit of a pickle.
The Beginning
So, it all started a couple of months ago when I decided I wanted to make a new table for my dining room. My old one had seen better days, and with the holidays around the corner, I thought why not give it a little DIY flair? Plus, I’d had my eye on a beautiful piece of walnut at the lumber yard. Just the thought of it made my heart race—smooth grain, rich color, the scent of fresh wood lingering in the air. It’s intoxicating!
Anyway, I strolled over to Harvey Industries, which is, well, my go-to spot for all things woodworking. Tiny place, cozy vibe, and the owner, Bob, he knows his stuff. He’s had that grin that kind of says, “I’ve seen it all.” And honestly, he probably has.
So there I was, going down the aisles, and my cart ended up filling with a goodly amount of walnut and a few other odds and ends—some poplar for the legs and a fancy board to add some character to the tabletop. Bob kept handing me recommendations, like I was a kid in a candy store. I’m pretty sure I took his advice on at least three different types of glue, too.
The Plan
With a rough plan in mind, I got home and excitedly laid everything out. Now, I should mention that I’m not a master craftsman by any means. I’ve built a few things over the years—shelves, picture frames, but a table? That’s a whole new ballgame. Still, I was determined.
I can tell you that feeling of confidence when you have all the materials in front of you is something else. I thought, “How hard could this be?” I had my beloved DeWalt miter saw, a random assortment of clamps, and an ancient but reliable router that I swear was given to me by my dad before he passed. It felt like a family heirloom, you know?
But, man, let me tell you, things didn’t go exactly as planned.
The Missteps
First off, I forgot just how finicky walnut can be. As I ripped my boards to size, I miscalculated a couple of cuts. I mean, I got cocky! I was so sure I was the next Norm Abram. Turns out, those little mistakes added up quickly.
At one point, I looked at the piles of wood on my bench and actually thought about giving up. Like, seriously. I had spent so much time and energy, and now I was left considering whether I should just throw in the towel and go buy a table from IKEA. Pathetic, right?
I almost started cleaning up my mess and forgetting about the whole thing when I made a cup of that rich, dark coffee I love. As I stood there, steam curling in the air like a comforting hug, I had a little chat with myself. I said, “Alright, just take a step back. You love this stuff. What’s the worst that could happen?”
So, I took a deep breath and got back to it, figuring out how to piece things together rather than stressing over what could’ve been perfect.
The Journey to Completion
After a long evening of trial and error, I finally managed to glue the boards together for the tabletop—sweaty palms and all. And can I say, watching that glue squeeze out of the seams was oddly satisfying?
But, oh boy, clamping down everything wasn’t a walk in the park either. I had to reposition the clamps like three times because I wanted to make sure everything was even. And when I finally took them off and saw it all come together? I laughed like a goofball.
You know that feeling when you’re so embedded in an endeavor that your heart just swells with pride? Yeah, that was me, standing there looking at a giant slab of beautiful walnut, smelling it, running my fingers over the grain.
That was the moment when I thought, “You know what? With enough time and patience, maybe I’m not that bad at this after all.”
The Finishing Touches
Once I got everything cut up, assembled, and sanded down—oh man, I spent hours just getting that satin finish perfect. I used a water-based poly because I didn’t want the harsh smells around while I was working. The sound of the sander buzzing, that sweet scent of wood dust—it made me feel alive. It’s like a therapy session in my garage, minus the price tag!
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the table was done. I set it up in my dining room, placed a couple of chairs around it, and stared at it. A mix of exhaustion and joy washed over me. I never thought I could create something so beautiful from scratch.
The Takeaway
So here I am, sipping my coffee and reflecting on how this whole adventure turned out. If you’re thinking about diving into woodworking or any kind of project that scares you a little, I just want to say—go for it. Yeah, it’s gonna be messy, and you might even find yourself ready to throw in the towel. But sometimes, the best things come from those moments where you almost give up. Take those deep breaths, laugh a little, and they just might surprise the heck out of you.
Cheers to the next project!
