Just Another Day in the Workshop: My Adventures with Erickson Woodworking
So, let me tell you about a little slice of my life in Nevada City, where I’ve spent countless evenings surrounded by sawdust and the smell of freshly cut wood. Oh, and coffee. Lots of coffee. It’s like a ritual now—getting off work, pouring myself that first steaming cup, and heading to the workshop, aka my second home.
Now, if you’ve ever dabbled in woodworking, you know that it’s not all smooth sailing. But man, the satisfaction you get out of creating something with your own hands? It’s like magic. So, a while back, I decided to tackle this project from Erickson Woodworking. I’d seen their ideas floating around and, honestly, I was mesmerized. Their craftsmanship is top-notch, real heart and soul in every piece.
The Beginning of the Chaos
I picked this cute little table design—nothing too fancy. Just a simple coffee table, right? You’d think that it’s a walk in the park, but that’s where I went wrong. As I set out, I could almost hear my buddy Tim’s voice in my head saying, "Ain’t nothin’ ever easy in woodworking." Still, I plowed ahead.
I picked up some beautiful oak—there’s this local lumber yard I love. The wood had that fresh, crisp smell that fills your lungs with sweetness. You know that feeling when you grab a board and it just feels good in your hands? Yep, that was it. I could already imagine the finished product in my living room, sitting proudly in front of my couch.
The First Mishap
Now, I’m not one to shy away from using tools, but I’ve learned that respect goes a long way. First mistake? I misjudged the dimensions when I was using the miter saw. You know the sound that saw makes? That sharp, revving hum? It got my heart racing, but I felt confident—too confident, if you ask me.
I cut the boards for the tabletop, and it was looking perfect. But true to form, as I laid everything out, I realized I’d made the main table top way too small. Like a tiny dollhouse table if I’m being honest. I almost threw my coffee across the room in frustration. It felt like a slap in the face after all that effort.
A Lesson in Patience
So, there I was, staring at my woefully undersized tabletop, contemplating my life choices while drinking cold coffee. I thought about giving up, but then it hit me—what do you do when things go wrong? You improvise.
I went back to the lumber yard. If I was going to fix this mess, I’d need more wood—and fast. The owner recognized me from my frequent visits and chuckled. “Another one of those projects, eh?” he said, and honestly, I laughed with him. It was nice knowing I wasn’t alone in this woodworking mishap world.
I picked out some more oak and, long story short, ended up with extra wood. Who knew I’d be making a table with character?
The Assembly Stage
Once I had everything cut to the right size, the assembly was up next. This part is kind of zen for me. The sound of the wood glue squeezing out of the bottle and the gentle clinking of clamps as I secured them gave me a sense of tranquility.
I used my trusty portable drill for the screws—it’s like a friend at this point. I remember when I first got it; I was so intimidated. But now? I could practically do it with my eyes closed.
As I pieced everything together, I felt a sense of pride wash over me. Yes, I made mistakes, but I was turning those mess-ups into something beautiful.
The Finishing Touches
Now, onto the finish. I wanted something that would highlight the beautiful grain of the oak, so I opted for a homemade mixture of beeswax and mineral oil. There’s something therapeutic about rubbing wax into wood, the way the cloth glides and how it soaks in. It gave off this warm, earthy smell that reminded me of camping trips with family.
As I buffed, I realized, hey, I might actually pull this off. I mean, it wasn’t perfect, but every little flaw added character to the piece. Each ding, every misaligned screw—these were all part of the story, you know?
The Moment of Truth
So, I finished; there it stood, my coffee table. I set it down in the living room, and I’ll admit, a bit of nervousness bubbled up inside. I remember sitting on the couch, sipping another cup of coffee, and just staring at it. I almost felt like a parent, you know? You hope you’ve raised something beautiful and good.
When my wife walked in and smiled, I almost exploded with joy. She didn’t even know about the hiccups along the way. “Wow, this is nice,” she said, and I laughed. I couldn’t believe it actually worked out.
Final Thoughts
So, if you’re thinking about diving into woodworking—maybe even take a page from Erickson Woodworking—just go for it. Embrace the mistakes and the chaos. The wood will tell you what it wants to become, and you’ll learn more than you ever thought possible along the way. Seriously, I wish someone had told me that sooner.
Every table I make, every shelf I build—it’s all part of this journey in discovering not just the art of woodworking, but a slice of who I am. Just pick up that saw, dive in, and before you know it, you’ve got something beautiful, even if it doesn’t go as planned. Woodworking might just become your favorite form of therapy.
