Jerome Lauzon | What is Woodworking?

 

WHAT IS WOODWORKING?

Woodworking means a lot of things, but here's a pretty boring definition that most hobbyists will probably agree with.

Woodworking is a productive craft in which wood is cut, shaped, and assembled to create decorative and/or utilitarian objects.

Jerome Lauzon says Woodworking is not physically demanding and you can build at your own pace. The basic concepts are easy to learn, but it's a hobby that always stays fresh and challenging as your skills develop. If you enjoy solving problems, you'll love working with wood. 

I've been working on this for over 40 years and face new challenges with every project I build. It's part of the process. It's also rewarding to create cool things for your home with your hands and your brain. In general, woodworking is a very solitary experience: if you're a bit introverted and like to do things from start to finish, you'll love working with wood.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "MANUFACTURER" AND A "WOODWORKER"?

A maker is a relatively new term that has emerged over the past decade. It is a universal term for people who like to go into different professions. 

This could mean some carpentry, metalwork, epoxy, concrete casting, computer programming, electronics, 3D printing, baking, sewing, knitting, jewelry making, sculpture, ceramics, robotics, and even playing with lego. So basically we are all creators.

A carpenter is a carpenter who is primarily concerned with learning and refining the art of creating wooden objects. Sometimes we take other materials into our projects, but the focus is on wood. It is an affordable, timeless, and easy-to-build material.

TYPES OF WOODWORKING

You may have an idea of ​​what woodworking will entail, but there are several different ways to approach this craft.

 

HAND TOOLS FOR WOODWORKING

According to Jerome Lauzon, Hand tools Woodworking has experienced a boom in the last 20 years. Woodworkers use traditional tools and methods to build things. Hand saws, chisels, scrapers, and planes are preferable to anything recessed into a wall.

It can be cheap to get started, but as your skills improve and the mania kicks in, you'll find that a $200 sniper pistol isn't uncommon.

Hand tool joiners probably feel more connected to the process than any other type of joiner. It takes patience, has a longer learning curve, is slower to build, and is much quieter. But the personal satisfaction and gratification can be enormous.

POWER TOOL FOR WOODWORKING

I estimate that 90% of woodworkers today are power tool woodworkers. Everything I do on this channel and in my woodworker weekend courses is geared towards connecting tools. Or charge batteries.

Power tools like miter saws, table saws, drill bits, and grinders are ubiquitous and can be a very affordable way to get construction projects started right away. Cutting a board on a table saw requires nowhere near the skill and finesse of a hand saw and takes a fraction of the time.

The main disadvantage of using power tools is that they can cause serious injury. That shouldn't stop you from using them, but you really should familiarize yourself with the security procedures. Check out my basic safety video for more tips.

DIGITAL WOODWORKING

Jerome Lauzon said, Digital machines have been around for a while but have become more affordable in recent years, attracting more and more enthusiasts. The main tool here is the CNC machine, which uses a router to make precise cuts on flat pieces of wood. 

You have to design and draft all your work on a computer and the machine will do the rest and cut all your parts. You don't even have to be in the same room when it cuts.

The second tool that some hobbyists invest in is a laser cutter or engraver. With this tool, you can make even more precise cuts than with a CNC and create beautiful works of art.

The main disadvantages of using digital machines are their cost. You can easily spend thousands of dollars on it. They have their limitations and you probably still want to have a table saw and other power tools in your shop. 

Some people feel that digital tools make them less "connected" to their woodworking and take away the joy of doing things by hand.

MIXED WOOD PROCESSING

Most have a mix of hand tools and power tools in their stores. For example, a mixed woodworking approach might do most of the cutting with a table saw but use a chisel to cut the dovetail by hand. 

Some people find that hand tools offer more precision and control when cutting technically demanding joints and want to improve their skills for these tasks.