Finding My Way in the Woodshop: The Jere Osgood Journey
You know, there are moments in life that make you feel like you’re on a wild roller coaster, and the ride never quite goes how you expect it to. That’s kind of how woodwork has been for me, especially when I first tried my hand at it. It’s like every project is its own adventure, filled with ups, downs, and a lot of swearing under my breath. One story that stands out is the time I decided I was finally going to make a piece of furniture worthy of the Osgood name. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go quite as I’d planned.
So, it all started one cold winter evening. I was scrolling through the internet, drink in hand, when I came across something from Jere Osgood—a legendary woodworker known for his exquisite joinery and design. The way his creations seemed to leap off the page, I swear I could almost smell the fresh-cut wood and hear the soft whir of a jointer. Maybe I was hungry because I could practically taste the ambition.
I thought, “Why not? How hard can it be?” Armed with a few basic tools—my trusty circular saw, an old but reliable jigsaw, and a few clamps that may or may not have come from my dad’s garage—I thought I was ready to take on the world. I decided I was going to build a dining table, something sturdy enough to make it through countless family dinners and the occasional kids’ art project.
A False Sense of Confidence
The wood I picked was walnut—dark, rich, and absolutely beautiful in the shop light. I mean, let’s be real, who doesn’t appreciate walnut? But there’s a hefty price tag with that beauty, and I winced a little at the thought. Still, I was committed. I can get lost in the smell of freshly cut walnut; it’s intoxicating in this almost nostalgic way. I could almost sense my late grandfather watching me from somewhere, probably chuckling at my overconfidence.
So, there I was, in my garage, surrounded by those gorgeous slabs of wood, feeling like a kid in a candy store. It was late at night, too, when I realized that maybe I should have thought this through. I mean, sure I watched some YouTube videos, but they don’t quite capture the sweat or the occasional screaming match with the wood that I experienced.
The First Mistakes (Oh, the Errors!)
So, I made my first cut, and my heart literally raced. I felt powerful, in control—until I didn’t. I think I mentioned the jigsaw earlier. Well, the thing loves to vibrate, and there I was, wrestling with it, trying to keep my cuts straight. The wood had other ideas though. Just as I was feeling confident and proud, boom—my line went crooked. I laughed, a mix of absurdity and despair. Had I really just ruined a $60 slab of wood?
That’s when it hit me: I could either let frustration swallow me whole or I could figure out how to salvage this. I remembered something my dad used to say, “Mistakes are just opportunities in disguise.” So, I took a deep breath, and instead of throwing my tools out the garage door, I thought about how I could adjust my plan. And boy did I adjust—a lot.
The Joinery Challenges
As I got into the joinery, I kept hearing Jere Osgood’s voice in my head, something about how joinery is the backbone of any furniture piece. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. I had a mortising chisel that was collecting dust next to my other underused tools, so I thought this was the perfect time to break it out.
Now, if you’ve never used a mortising chisel, let me tell you: it’s like dating someone who seems great on paper but gives you a headache when you actually get to know them. I was whacking away at the wood, and I swear I almost threw my back out. And you know what? I was hearing that awful sound of my wrist bending at an angle it shouldn’t ever be in.
But just when I thought I was going to need someone to help me pick up the pieces, it actually worked! I mean, I couldn’t believe it, and I stood there admiring that mortise like it was a piece of fine art. I could almost hear Jere himself nodding at my triumph from wherever he is.
Moving Toward the Finish Line
After a long couple of weeks and a lot of help from my family (don’t even get me started on how they rolled their eyes when I asked them to help sand to an even finish), the table was finally coming together. I remember applying the finish; it was some kind of oil mixture that just made the walnut glow. There’s something almost magical about watching that wood come to life under the right finishing techniques. I was grinning like a kid at Christmas.
That’s when I took a step back to admire it—the knots, the imperfections, and all the hard, sweaty work I put in. It wasn’t Osgood-quality, not by a long shot, but it was mine.
The Warm Takeaway
If you’re thinking about diving into woodworking—or really anything, for that matter—just go for it. Don’t overthink it like I did. It’ll be messy, chaotic, and you’ll probably shed a few tears along the way (and maybe a few swear words, too). But when you hold that finished piece—whatever it is—you’re going to feel like you conquered a small mountain.
Hey, mistakes are just part of the ride. Just like me, you’ll probably mess up a few cuts, but that won’t matter. What matters is the journey you take and what you learn about yourself along the way. So grab your tools, roll up your sleeves, and jump in! Trust me, those moments of doubt will be worth the laughter and sense of accomplishment in the end.
