Sawdust Memories

Pictured: The table saw, looking more like a Fisher Price toy than an instrument of gross personal injury.

In an effort to live up to my New Year's Resolutions this year, I have decided to embark upon an exciting and surely injury-causing woodworking career.

And I think I'm doing well so far:

1. I have found workshop space.
2. I have checked out a book on basic woodworking from the library.
3. I have a pattern for a birdhouse from Canadian Living, circa 1997.
4. I have given serious thought to purchasing materials.

Unfortunately, I'm concerned about the actual woodworking part of things. Sure, I learned how to knit, but you'll have to be really dedicated to the cause of dismemberment to lose your hand to a knitting needle. Paging through the basic woodworking book though, it seems that a slight sneeze could do me in. And apparently I have to build things (workshop jigs? crosscut sleds?) just to be able to build other things. OH GOD, WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN?!?!?

Even the pre-game show seems exhausting. I got through the ventilation and safety glasses part of the book, only to be done in by amperage. Apparently I need to "read the labels on [my] tools to identify how many amps they draw at peak loads, and then use a circuit rated 20 to 30 percent over this number" (Weekend Woodworker, 11). Furthermore, "extension cords can be used to safely power most tools provided the cord's amperage rating is greater than the tool's peak amperage draw." (12). That's... good then... I... guess?

Fortunately, I have plenty of enthusiasm. After having my mind blown (due to under-amperage, I suppose) reading the electrical section, I flipped to the projects section and am now totally planning on having my second project be a "deceptively simple bedside table" that "packs a great deal of woodworking skill and detail into a small package" (212). Alright! Simple!