Charlie47 Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 (edited) Hi folks, please bare with me. I'm brand new to woodworking, so I may ask a stupid question, at least to you. I've done a some of working on guns, building fly rods and tied a lot of flies. I'm a retired VP in a large multi state insurance brokerage. Several years ago I inherited two large tools chests of woodworking hand tools. Mt uncle was a carpentry forman for DuPont. He would be over a 100 now, so the tools are quite old. I want to build fly tying workstations to sell. I saw there was quite a bit of interest in antique tools on a woodworking forum. So I was going to sell them to buy what I needed like a router and bits and maybe a miter saw. However, a great guy there posted a photo of a tying station made with hand tools. He convinced me not to sell the tools but use them. So now I just want to learn more! Have an awesome week! Thanks for your time! Kind Regards, Charlie47 Edited February 17, 2020 by Charlie47 corrections Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 Welcome to the forum. Do you have a link or an image showing the expected outcome? Is it something like this? 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie47 Posted February 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 EXACTLY! How are the indentions made in the base? Thanks so much! I really appreciate you! Kind Regards, Charlie47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie47 Posted February 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 Wingless, what kind of wood is best for projects like this? What is you best wood source? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 Glad to help. A hand held router with a square corner bit will make that recess. An eyeball measurement looks like a 1" diameter tool was used to make those ½" radius corners. Something like this bit. If I were to make that cut, then I would also have guides to attain the expected "rectangular" result. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie47 Posted February 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 I was wondering how they are so perfectly round and straight! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 The "easy" way to make something like this is to start with an existing piece of furniture and modify that to get the desired result. To that end an old desk or an old bureau will have a flat top surface, drawers and slides, then the objective becomes how to modify the parts on-hand. I've had acceptable luck with Offer Up, Craig's List and even sometimes curb items. If starting w/ existing furniture, then things like drawer position and work surface height must be addressed. Things like drawer fabrication are removed. My suggestions are: to start simple; plan ahead; BE CAREFUL, things like eyeballs and fingers are important; ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION. Post images so others may assist. Good luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie47 Posted February 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 Thanks Wingless, I'll cut down on the pestering, I promise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 No problem. There are many basic woodworking power tools that are essential for many projects. Determine which projects are at the top of the list, to aid prioritizing the tool selection. My preference is purchasing nice tools used, on Craig's List or on Offer Up. There is a cost savings, plus many tools are in excellent condition and complete. IMO, a good 10" table saw, with a rip fence, miter gauge and blade is an essential tool for many projects. The utility and accuracy of this tool is greatly increased when a sled is added, nice but not essential. Here is my table saw. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie47 Posted February 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 1 minute ago, wingless said: No problem. There are many basic woodworking power tools that are essential for many projects. Determine which projects are at the top of the list, to aid prioritizing the tool selection. My preference is purchasing nice tools used, on Craig's List or on Offer Up. There is a cost savings, plus many tools are in excellent condition and complete. IMO, a good 10" table saw, with a rip fence, miter gauge and blade is an essential tool for many projects. The utility and accuracy of this tool is greatly increased when a sled is added, nice but not essential. Here is my table saw. Thanks Wingless, I'll cut down on the pestering, I promise! Again Thank-you! I am going to start with a plunge router and bits. I am on Social Security, so I am on a limited budget! I plan to get a miter saw second. For now I will limit my self to the tying stations so I can increase my income some! Do you have favorites for tools or are they pretty much the same. I was going to get the best from Harbor Freight to start. Some say they are OK, some not. What wood species wood be best for these type projects? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 Used tools are fine. Used wood is fine. Modification of existing stuff is fine. All save money, Harbor Freight is fine. Pine is an okay wood for many projects. Search for the desired characteristics to see what meets the needs of your project. Here are some used routers in your area. The Bosch is nice because it includes a case and guide. Ensure the router has a bit wrench. Note a router is not a good tool for free-hand, some sort of guide is required to get any sort of acceptable results. https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/tls/d/fort-worth-craftsman-router-with-table/7073011885.html https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/d/rockwall-2-hp-craftsman-router-router/7076203544.html https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/d/rockwall-2-hp-craftsman-router-router/7076203544.html https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/tls/d/fort-worth-craftsman-router-2hp/7059415697.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie47 Posted February 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 2 hours ago, wingless said: No problem. There are many basic woodworking power tools that are essential for many projects. Determine which projects are at the top of the list, to aid prioritizing the tool selection. My preference is purchasing nice tools used, on Craig's List or on Offer Up. There is a cost savings, plus many tools are in excellent condition and complete. IMO, a good 10" table saw, with a rip fence, miter gauge and blade is an essential tool for many projects. The utility and accuracy of this tool is greatly increased when a sled is added, nice but not essential. Here is my table saw. Thanks Wingless, I'll cut down on the pestering, I promise! Again Thank-you! I am going to start with a plunge router and bits. I am on Social Security, so I am on a limited budget! I plan to get a miter saw second. For now I will limit my self to the tying stations so I can increase my income some! Do you have favorites for tools or are they pretty much the same. I was going to get the best from Harbor Freight to start. Some say they are OK, some not. What wood species wood be best for these type projects WOW! Wingless, you are AMAZING! Thank-you so much! I'm leaving you alone, no more! But your still amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 An examination of that fly fishing workbench also shows that there is an array of dowels, vertically oriented, arranged on a grid. A hand held drill will not permit making those holes with any accuracy. A hand held drill will have the angle on those dowels in lots of directions. A drill press is a good choice for manually making those holes, so they are all on the same vertical angle. There are tricks to get a nice grid spacing, so the placement is uniform. Something like this tool will permit creation of manually placed vertical holes. https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/d/dallas-8-inch-drill-press/7074614061.html Another option is a jig for an electric drill, like this one. https://www.harborfreight.com/angle-drill-guide-95622.html This guy has a few tools, router, router table, router bits, drill press and workbench. It might be possible to negotiate a volume purchase discount, if he still has the tools you need. https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/d/cedar-hill-router-table-table-saw-drill/7056647570.html Shop for the router bits as used parts. Good new bit sets are expensive. I got terrific used sets at a great price. In my case, almost every bit was unused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie47 Posted February 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Hi Wingless! I can't express my appreciation! Sir, you are a blessing! I do promise I won't continue to pester! I wish there was some way to express what I'm feeling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 The listing for this desk says solid wood. It looks like solid wood, not laminated particle board. It might be possible to modify this desk to get the desired result, at a cost and at a time savings. https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/fuo/d/kennedale-writing-desk-best-offer/7058191903.html Here is additional examples... https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/fuo/d/mineral-wells-roll-top-desk/7075684880.html https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/fuo/d/burleson-solid-oak-roll-top-desk-and/7060658139.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie47 Posted February 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2020 On 2/18/2020 at 12:23 PM, wingless said: The listing for this desk says solid wood. It looks like solid wood, not laminated particle board. It might be possible to modify this desk to get the desired result, at a cost and at a time savings. https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/fuo/d/kennedale-writing-desk-best-offer/7058191903.html Here is additional examples... https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/fuo/d/mineral-wells-roll-top-desk/7075684880.html https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/fuo/d/burleson-solid-oak-roll-top-desk-and/7060658139.html Wingless, sorry I missed your reply! Again thanks! Sir do you know of any guys on this forum that are from the MetroPlex that might let me watch, help or just pick their brains? Have a great weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie47 Posted February 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2020 Hi Wingless, I'm sorry I missed your reply, again thanks for your time! Sir do you know of any guys on this forum that might let me watch or help or gofer for them or even just let me pick their brains? As much as you are on here, I thought you might know where at least some of these guys are from! Thanks for your time and help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted February 22, 2020 Report Share Posted February 22, 2020 Charlie, Always glad to help. Active members will see your reply / inquiry and will jump in if they can assist. Good luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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