The Coronet Consort: Woodworking Adventures in My Garage
So, let me tell you about that time I stumbled upon the Coronet Consort universal woodworking machine. Grab your coffee—we might be here a while.
Here’s the thing: I’ve always been one of those guys who likes working with my hands. I mean, who doesn’t love the smell of fresh-cut pine wafting through the garage? That crisp, woodsy scent just hooks me every time. And there I was, all set up with my trusty old tools, as a pedantic — but reliable — table saw, some clamps, and a couple of hand planes. But boy, was I about to get a lesson in overconfidence.
The Project
A few years back, I decided it was time to tackle a project that tickled my fancy—a custom dining table for my family. Nothing too crazy, just a simple farmhouse style, you know? Rustic, warm, a place to gather and share meals and a few laughs. I had the wood picked out: some nice oak planks from down at the lumber yard. I could almost picture my kids fighting over who gets to sit at the “special” end of the table.
But the thing was, I needed something more than just the old tools in my garage. I had my eye on the Coronet Consort, which I’d heard was perfect for folks like me looking to push boundaries. The problem? It wasn’t exactly cheap. And convincing the wife was a whole other adventure.
“Do we really need another tool?” she asked one afternoon while sipping her coffee.
“Oh, but it’s multifunction! I can turn, I can do all kinds of things! Think of the dinner parties!”
As you can guess, I pulled the classic “future investment for the family” line, and somehow I snagged a “yes.”
Unpacking the Beast
Now, the day it arrived, oh man, what a day that was! I remember the excitement coursing through me like a kid on Christmas morning. I tore open the box like a kid ripping into wrapping paper, and when I saw that gleaming machine—the Coronet Consort—my heart skipped a beat. The smell of fresh metal, combined with the wood I planned to use, was intoxicating.
But, let me tell you, I had a realization. As I set it up in my garage, the thing weighed more than a small car. I almost dropped it while I was trying to hoist it onto my workbench. “What have I gotten myself into?” was my first thought. But hey, I made it work.
Now, I’m not going to lie. I messed up a couple of times. I thought I could just plow right into it without reading the manual, because, you know, who has the time? Error number one right there.
The First Cut
So there I was, going for my first cut into one of those gorgeous oak boards—excited as all get out. The sound of the machine whirring to life was music to my ears. But then, I made the rookie mistake of not securing the board properly. The whole thing slipped and, in slow motion, I saw it twist and get caught in the spinning cutter. My heart sunk faster than a stone thrown into a lake.
I kind of panicked, jerked my hands away, and, oh boy, the noise—like a freight train wreck. I thought I’d ruined everything! But when I finally took a deep breath and approached the machine, I realized it hadn’t chewed up the whole board. Just a small corner. Crisis averted, but it was a wake-up call.
Embracing the Chaos
Fast forward a few hours and, after a few rounds of trial and error, I finally got the hang of the machine. I mean, laughter erupted from my throat when I managed to turn a simple block of wood into something that resembled a round table leg. My wife came into the garage, coffee in hand, and just raised her eyebrows with that “I guess it’s working!” look.
But don’t get me wrong—there were still plenty of moments when I wanted to throw in the towel. Like, remember that one time when I was trying to turn the legs? I envisioned smooth, elegant curves and ended up with something that looked like a cross between a baseball bat and a crooked stick. I chuckled at my own artistic interpretation, but I knew the kids would adore it either way.
In hindsight, those little missteps became part of the charm of the piece. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. It was personal.
The Grand Reveal
After weeks of work—of sweating, cursing, going back and forth between frustration and excitement—I finally put that table together. The moment I sat down with my family to have our first dinner at that table was something I’ll never forget. We sprawled out with spaghetti and garlic bread, and I watched my kids laugh and share stories, feeling that sense of pride wash over me.
The Coronet Consort had its quirks, sure. There were a few nicks here and there that I could’ve fixed, but I didn’t mind. The table was a reflection of our family—the good, the not-so-perfect, and the love that made it all worthwhile.
A Little Pep Talk
So, if you’re thinking about stepping into the world of woodworking or if the Coronet Consort has crossed your mind, go for it. Seriously, don’t hesitate. If you mess up, laugh about it. Embrace the chaos, because those mistakes just make it all the more special. And who knows—you might just craft something wonderful, not just out of wood, but out of memories too.
Here’s to scented wood shavings, the hum of machines, and the little family moments that make it all matter!
