A Cup of Coffee and a Slice of Reality: My Journey with Open Square Woodworking
You know, there are times when something just seems like a great idea. You get that spark, and before you know it, you’re knee-deep in sawdust and cedar shavings. That’s how it all started for me with woodworking—specifically open square woodworking. I was sitting out on my porch one evening, sipping my coffee, staring at my neighbor’s beautiful patio table. I thought, “Hey, I could do that!” Oh man, I had no idea what I was getting into.
The Home Depot Run
Let me set the scene for you. I can still smell the fresh-cut wood from my first trip to Home Depot. Honestly, walking into that store made me feel a bit like a kid in a candy store. I was mesmerized by the color variations of the wood—oak, walnut, cherry. It’s incredible how many choices there are! After a good hour of wandering around, I decided on a couple of cedar boards. Cedar not only smells amazing—a bit earthy, a bit sweet—but it’s also super lightweight and easy to work with. At least, that’s what I thought.
Armed with a handful of boards and some rough sketches on a napkin (because that’s totally how you design furniture, right?), I was ready to get started. My tool collection at that time was flimsy, let’s be honest. A hand saw from college days, a borrowed power drill, and some clamps that I think used to belong to my dad. I was excited but, boy, was I naive.
The First Cut
I remember that first cut; it echoed through the garage—a loud “thunk” as the saw bit into the cedar. The initial satisfaction was something else. I thought, “This is gonna be a piece of cake.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. The first board I cut ended up with a huge sliver coming off the edge, and I just sat there staring, thinking, “Did I really just ruin a 10-dollar board?”
I almost gave up right then and there. I wouldn’t blame anyone for chucking in the towel at that point; I mean, mistakes are frustrating, right? I took a deep breath, fiddled with my coffee cup, and decided, “Nah, let’s see if I can salvage this.” With a little sanding and a fair amount of magnetic swearing—because, wow, it gets your attention, doesn’t it?—I managed to make it work. That board ended up shaping out okay after all.
Glue and Clamps: The Joys of Waiting
One lesson I quickly learned about open square woodworking is the importance of waiting. You might think gluing would be the easy part, but trust me, that’s where the real patience comes in. I spent a solid afternoon cutting, fitting, and dry-assembling my little table before I was ready for that glue. I used Titebond III—good stuff, waterproof even—which was great for a newbie like me, but oh man, the clamping!
I remember wrestling with clamps that seemed to have a mind of their own. You know, the ones that tighten in ways that make you question your grip on reality? I nearly launched a couple of them across the garage. But after what felt like a small eternity, I finally got everything clamped down and could sit back, admiring the glistening glue seams and the sound of the world quieting outside. It was peaceful, in a way.
Reality Check: The Finish
Now, if you think the glue part was the end, you ought to be warned. Finishing was like the cherry on top of a giant, messy ice cream sundae. I decided to stain it with a beautiful walnut finish. I wanted that rich, deep color, something that would pop. Little did I know, staining is another area of peril.
I’m there, applying the stain with a brush, trying my hardest to keep a steady hand while also dodging the dog who thought hardwood floors were his personal runway. I ended up with blotches, and by the time I stepped back to take a look, I couldn’t help but laugh. It looked like a toddler had painted it!
But here’s where it gets good. I almost cried when it actually worked. I let it dry, sanded it down again, and applied a second coat, and somehow, as if by magic, it turned out pretty nice. I learned that sometimes what looks like a mess can turn into something beautiful after a little love—and a whole lot of sanding!
A Little Humility Goes a Long Way
You know, through all the trials and blunders, I realized that woodworking is not just about crafting furniture; it’s about learning humility. Every project has its hiccups. Every misstep is quickly followed by an invaluable lesson. Whether it’s not measuring twice (or five times, in my case) or wrestling with the tools that seem to have beef with you, it’s all part of the charm.
And so, here I sit, with a wonky but beautiful little table now sitting in my living room. It’s imperfect, sure; the leveling is off just a smidge, and I might have scratched it once or twice already, but you know what? I built it.
So Here’s What I Want You to Know
Look, if you’re thinking about trying your hand at woodworking or open square projects, just go for it. Don’t let the fear of mistakes hold you back. You’ll lose some boards, probably stain things in ways you never intended, and you might even curse a little. But you’ll also laugh, learn, and create something that’s all yours. What’s more rewarding than that?
So grab that coffee, swing by the lumber yard, and let the shavings fly. You’ve got this!
