Coffee, Chaos, and the Great IRS Auction Adventure
You ever find yourself sitting there, swirling the dregs of your coffee, staring at a pile of wood and wondering how in the world you got here? That was me last spring, staring at a heap of Oak and Maple that I had stubbornly decided to buy at an IRS auction. Who knew the government had a knack for unloading woodworking tools? I sure didn’t.
I stumbled upon it quite by accident, scrolling through the local newspaper. Something about "IRS auction on tools and equipment" jumped out. I thought, why not? You know how it goes — your buddy calls up, and you find yourself saying yes, even if you have no idea what you’re getting into. My heart raced with visions of pristine saws and routers flashing in my head.
The Auction Frenzy
So I show up at this auction, and man, let me tell you, it was like being a kid in a candy store. There were toolboxes bursting at the seams with cherry-red Craftsman tools and a Dewalt table saw that I swear had my name on it. If I’d had any sense, I’d have taken a deep breath and made a list of what I really needed, but my auction adrenaline kicked in—everything was the best deal ever, and I got caught up in it.
I ended up bidding on a Makita planer without even properly looking at it. What was I thinking? I thought, Go big or go home! Fast forward an hour, and I’m the proud but slightly dazed owner of a whole truckload of tools that, let’s be honest, I might never learn to use properly.
The First Project
But hey, I was excited. I went back home, dusted off my old workbench, and dug into my first project: a simple garden bench. Every day after work, I’d rush into my garage, spurred on by thoughts of fresh air and that unmistakable smell of sawdust. There’s something oddly satisfying about it—sort of like baking bread but way, way messier and with louder machines.
I started with the oak, but between the saw and my not-so-steady hands, those pieces turned into shavings in no time. I almost threw my hands up in despair when I realized I’d mistaken my miter saw adjustments. You would not believe the angles I ended up with—more like a modern art installation than a functional bench! I sat there, surrounded by a mountain of wood bits, wondering if this was really meant for me.
Lessons in Patience
That was the moment I learned about patience. I almost gave up then and there—sat down on the garage floor and let out a frustrated sigh. But instead, I decided to grab a snack and think about it over some peanut butter crackers. You know the kind that stick to the roof of your mouth? They helped me realize that every mistake was just another opportunity to learn. So I did some research, watched some online videos, and eventually worked out how to get those angles right.
After a couple of days, I finally got it sorted out. Picture this: the smell of the wood, the sound of the planer humming away as I got it all smoothed out—it made me feel like I was onto something, really onto something. I still hadn’t quite figured out my joinery, though. I went with pocket hole screws because I was in too deep, but you know what? It worked.
The Big Reveal
After weeks—seriously, I thought it’d take a few days tops—the bench finally came together. I had almost lost my mind along the way, but there it was, like a proud puppy waiting to be taken home. I invited my neighbor over to check it out. He’s a carpenter and usually has a good laugh at my latest projects.
When he walked into my garage and saw that bench, his jaw dropped a little. “You made this?” he said, half-expecting to see a Pinterest fail.
“Yep,” I said, grinning like a deer caught in headlights. “Took me long enough, but here it is! Not perfect, but—”
Then I clapped him on the back and laughed when I realized it actually worked! It was sturdy and functional.
Reflection
So, what’s the takeaway here? First off, if you’ve got a wild notion about woodworking or any project for that matter, just go for it. Don’t overthink it. Don’t be afraid of the mistakes because they’re part of the whole deal. I wish someone had told me that before I started, but I guess the experience teaches you more than the advice ever could.
And if you find yourself at an IRS auction, for Pete’s sake, look twice at that Makita planer before you bid! Or maybe don’t. Roll the dice; see what happens. You might end up with a bench that, while ragged around the edges, gives you stories to tell and a place to sit and sip your coffee.
Happy woodworking, friends! Just jump in, embrace the chaos, and don’t forget to enjoy the smell of sawdust along the way.
