A Day in the Woodshop: My Journey with Giles Woodworking in Milford, NH
You know, sitting here with my coffee, I can’t help but think about that one summer spent in my garage, just me, my tools, and all the dreams I had for building things. It was a summer that felt so full of promise, but sometimes life has a way of smacking that promise right out of you.
I remember, it was a sunny Saturday morning. The kind of morning that smells like freshly cut grass and the sounds of kids playing outside makes you almost forget how much work you had planned. I had just become a bit obsessed with woodworking, you know? Well, maybe a lot obsessed. I remember driving past Giles Woodworking in Milford, NH, and always thinking I should stop in. But the truth was, I didn’t know the first thing about choosing the right wood or the right tools.
So there I was, standing at my workbench, which was kind of a mess. I mean, if you saw it, you’d laugh—scraps of pine and oak everywhere, random tools—all fighting for attention like kids at a candy store. I’d just picked up a circular saw, a used Ryobi I found online. It was old, but it was a good brand and felt solid in my hands.
The First Big Project
I was determined to build a bookshelf. A simple one—nothing fancy, just something to hold the ever-growing pile of books that had been taking over the living room floor. I planned it all out, sketched it out on a napkin actually, while sitting in my local diner. I had it all wrong, of course, thinking it was all about the size and shape.
"Measure twice, cut once," they say. But I was cocky. I was practically daydreaming about how grand my bookshelf would look, proudly holding my collection of cookbooks and mystery novels. I cut the first piece of wood—a plank of oak. Smelled amazing, all rich and warm. But when I measured again for the second piece, somehow it just didn’t fit.
I almost gave up right then; I was ready to throw that oak right out the window. I stepped back for a moment, took a deep breath. The thrill of woodworking was now replaced by frustration, and honestly, doubt. I looked at those scraps littering my garage floor and thought, “What am I even doing here?”
The Comeback
But here’s the thing about small towns and small workshops—you get to know the people who also love this stuff. That’s when I thought about stopping into Giles Woodworking. I remembered the sign out front, the pride it exuded.
So, with a heavy heart and lighter wallet, I drove over. Walking through those doors was like stepping into a different world. The faint smell of sawdust mixed with fresh wood just enveloped me. I looked around at all the beautiful pieces of furniture on display, feeling that familiar surge of envy and inspiration.
The folks there were super helpful—almost like they could sense my frustration. A gentleman named Frank guided me towards some nicer woods I’d never considered. “Cherry wood is forgiving,” he said, while picking up a beautiful piece that almost shimmered under the lights. I could tell I was in the right place, among people who loved this craft as much as I did, even if I was just a newbie. He pointed me towards some new tools, too; a nicer miter saw, brands I only dreamed of owning.
Lessons in the Making
So, I bought a couple of things and hightailed it back home. The lesson wasn’t lost on me. In woodworking—and I guess in life—you don’t have to know it all; sometimes you just need community, a push in the right direction.
I spent the next few days working on that shelf. Sanding and cutting, measuring and remeasuring. Now and then, I could hear the birds singing outside, reminding me of that beautiful morning when I almost gave up. When the bookshelf finally started coming together, I felt a rush, like that first sip of coffee that’s just brewed to perfection.
The smell of the wood now—it filled my garage and my heart. When I finally assembled it, I just stood back, hands on my hips. I laughed! It actually worked! Those boards I almost chucked out made sense; they formed something real.
There’s Always Hope
So, here I am, years later, still tinkering away in that same garage. Some projects still go awry; trust me, I’ve had my fair share of flops. I’ve learned to embrace those moments because they’re part of the process—the part that makes us better woodworkers. Every piece I create is a story.
If you’re thinking about diving into woodworking, just go for it. Forget trying to be perfect or about the fancy tools—just pick up some wood and start cutting. Talk to people at places like Giles. You never know what golden nugget of wisdom might come your way. And who knows? You might just end up with a bookcase worth showing off… or at least a solid story to tell over coffee.
