| Since the dawn of civilization, humankind has carved | | | | also serious business. For many, working with wood is |
| objects from fallen trees; from the simplest and | | | | more than just a pastime, it's a way of life. Serious |
| most utilitarian items to elaborate works of art. The | | | | craftsmen and women are deeply involved with |
| earliest forms of the transportation were created | | | | furthering their knowledge about fine woodworking, |
| from wooden elements such as the boat, the wheel, | | | | by studying the methods and techniques of those |
| and the carriage were all conceived and created from | | | | who came before them. The serious woodworker |
| wood. And throughout history, hundreds of other | | | | tends to aspire to becoming a "master" craftsman, |
| important items that we still use today were built | | | | focusing on creating useful and valuable items, like |
| from wood. Take today's jet planes, for example, | | | | furniture and cabinetry, while the hobbyist tends to |
| the Wright Brothers successful wooden airplane | | | | spend a few days, here and there, doing "craft"-type |
| made aviation history, along with other wooden | | | | work at a leisurely pace like carving whimsical |
| prototypes and designs of the period, and set the | | | | figurines or making a simple book case or spice rack. |
| stage for construction of our modern aircraft. Men, | | | | If you do live in an older house, you can learn a lot |
| who sailed here in boats made of wood, as it was | | | | about woodworking simply through careful |
| known, discovered the "New World". The voyage of | | | | observation of the existing woodwork throughout |
| Christopher Columbus made a successful landing in | | | | your home. |
| Massachusetts, over 500 years ago - the majestic | | | | Study the woodwork in places like the stairs, the |
| Mayflower, constructed from wooden timbers, made | | | | kitchen, and even in the basement, and you'll likely |
| the discovery possible. And who could forget about | | | | get a glimpse into the past. Some of the fine |
| those famous Viking longboats? At least one of | | | | woodworking methods practiced by early craftsmen |
| these mighty ships crossed the North Atlantic about | | | | and carpenters are still used today. If you have |
| a thousand years ago, and made a successful landing | | | | young children in your family, or grandchildren, and |
| at L'anse Meadows, in Newfoundland, Canada. These | | | | you would like to build them a swing-set for the |
| longboats, called "Drakkars", featured impressive and | | | | backyard or how about building a nice, sturdy picnic |
| innovative designs, and utilized a unique, oaken | | | | table, for your summertime family cookouts and |
| 'plank-lap' design. It's been estimated that the planks | | | | gatherings? Every household has books, some have |
| used to build some of these Viking longboats, came | | | | lots of books but there never seems to be enough |
| from oak trees over eighty-feet tall! It would be hard | | | | available shelf space. Why not build your own |
| to argue that lumber was history's most important | | | | bookcases? A handsome, custom-made bookcase |
| building material right up until the widespread use of | | | | always looks better than a store-bought unit. There |
| steel and Portland cement, in the mid 19th Century. | | | | are a countless number of woodworking projects |
| But wood still holds an enormous market today, with | | | | you can do around the house, and with your newly |
| the use of wood for framing lumber in homes, | | | | acquired knowledge, you'll gain the confidence needed |
| expensive cabinetry, exotic woodcarvings, and the | | | | to tackle those projects, and put your skills to the |
| bustling furniture industry. Of course, there's the use | | | | test. |
| of wood in crafts, hobbies, and other projects, | | | | Woodworking can be a most enjoyable and fulfilling |
| collectively referred to as woodworking. Fine | | | | activity. There's nothing like the satisfaction of seeing |
| Woodworking is a long-cherished tradition, enjoyed | | | | your finished project put to use. Like anything in life, |
| by young and old. As a hobby, woodcraft takes on | | | | improving one's skill comes through plenty of practice |
| many forms from carving artful figurines, to building | | | | and woodworking is no different. Learn all you can |
| patio furniture. It used to be that woodworking | | | | about fine woodworking. Read journals, watch those |
| "secrets" and tricks of the fine woodworking trade | | | | who do it for a living, and take advice from the |
| were handed down through the generations, from | | | | professionals. Be patient, and learn to become |
| master craftsmen to apprentices. To some degree, | | | | detail-oriented. Follow the old rule of "measure twice, |
| many of these secrets are still passed along, from | | | | cut once." Those four words of wisdom are timeless |
| master to beginner. | | | | and true, and you will remember them every time |
| Fine woodworking is an activity that requires | | | | you goof on a measurement. In time, you'll be building |
| patience, precision, and attention to detail. That's n | | | | all those items that you never dreamed you could. |
| something you can acquire from reading alone. | | | | Above all, be safe, and have fun. That's what it's all |
| Though woodworking can be quite pleasurable, it's | | | | about. |