DIY (Fleming)

"Whittling for me is more than just an art. It is like meditation and rather therapeutical. Every single time you create something, it brings you the delight and also the happiness that meets your mind and soul". This is the reply I got from an old practitioner when I asked him how do you interpret Whittling. Then I realized the core idea behind this craft. It comes with no deadline, no pre-written script, no rules, and just pure expression of your emotions through a knife and a piece of wood. In the present times, when all the self-help gurus are talking about Digital Detox, Whittling comes as a strong contender to pass on to the young and the old alike. My Journey in Whittling My wife introduced me to the world of Whittling 5 years ago. As I was already into Leathercraft and Pyrography, I got the basics quickly. But reaching the intermediate level in any art requires practice and patience. It has been an incredible journey for the last few years, working alongside her on various Whittling projects. About the Book This book is like a friend sharing his experiences and taking you from point A to B in your Whittling journey. The examples and references are real and taken out of the conversations with various experienced Whittlers. The book covers: Introduction: History of Whittling, how it started, and became part of popular culture. Wood: All about the type of wood, grains, and tips for starting. Tools: All about pocket and carving knives Techniques: All type of cuts Safety: Gloves, Thumb pads, duct tape, and other innovative options. Starter projects with photos and step by step instructions Frequently asked questions: 22 beginner questions as answered by experts: Multiple solutions to a single problem List of online resources for patterns I have included realistic photographs, discussions, tips, FAQs, which I have received along the way of my journey in Whittling over the years. Still on the fence? Okay, let me explain to you the difference between Wood Carving and Whittling? Whittling is like an unplanned vacation (go with the flow), and Wood Craving is like planning a vacation through a tour operator! And lastly my favorite analogy: When I was struggling to understand the concept of wood grain initially, one old-time whittler told me, "Think of the grain-like petting a cat. When you pet it head to tail, the fur all lies down, and the cat purrs. If you try to go from tail to head, it spikes up, and the cat gets very angry. Keep the cat happy."

"There would be no trees without branches, and there would be no furniture without joints." The one which binds together has always been special across cultures. Wood joinery has also evolved across various schools of woodworking in their unique ways. For example, in Japanese joinery, the whole wooden house was built on the strength of joinery. Joinery is used for both connecting the wood and also enhancing the aesthetics of the final product. My Journey: Back in the days when I was starting with Wood Craft, I was desperately looking for the go-to guide about the processes and the tools involved. Woodworking is a vast subject with many branches or verticals of this craft like Cabinet Making, Wood Carving, Joinery, Carpentry, and Woodturning. The online content was information overload and not presented in a sequential manner. The books I referred were either focused on a few processes or assumed that I had the necessary information. Also, I found that most of the books were a little aged. There are two ways of learning; one is learning from subject matter experts who have years of experience, and then there are people who are just a few steps ahead of you in their journey. I am the second one, five years into this hobby, and still learning from the experts. I still remember the initial doubts I had and the tips which helped me. This book comes after Woodworking for Beginners Handbook, and it focusses entirely on the joinery process. This book is for people who are in their first lap (0-3 years) of the wood-crafting journey and want to have a holistic idea of methods, tools and need help in their initial projects. I have included ample photographs of realistic projects of beginners explaining the process and standard operating procedure while starting. In the last chapter, I have provided a glossary of joinery terms and tips for beginners. Below is the flow of the information provided in the book: Introduction to Joinery Joinery tools: Type of tools and how to use them Detailed discussion on 15 types of joinery: advantage,disadvantage,strength,usage etc. Japanese Joinery: Introduction, types, pros, cons, and application CNC wood joinery: Introduction, various kinds of CNC joinery, Five starter joinery projects with step by step instructions Glossary of joinery terms Tips for beginners So, what are you waiting for?

When Rude Osolnik was asked, "Rude, how do I become a good turner?" he replied, "Stand at the lathe." Well, that's the key! Of all the woodworking crafts I have practiced, Turning demands most patience and focus. As you start, you have to find your comfort zone with a lathe, chisels, and other tools. After some practice, your mind and body would get attenuated to the ecosystem of Turning. As lathe is involved and the wood item revolves fast, always remember that overconfidence and lack of focus are not options. So find your sweet spot of how long you can work at a stretch. When I first started woodcraft, I looked desperately for a go-to guide about the processes and tools I would need. The content I found online was total information overload and wasn't presented sequentially. The books I looked at were either focused on just a few processes or assumed that I already had the necessary information. A lot of the books were also very dated. There are two ways of learning; one is learning from SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) with years of experience, and the other is to learn from people who are just a few steps ahead of you in their journey. I fall into the latter group. I have spent five years on this hobby and am still learning from the experts. I still remember the initial doubts I had and the tips that helped me. This book is for those who are still running their first lap (0-3 years) in wood-crafting and want to have a holistic idea of the processes and tools they need. Topics Covered ✓ Introduction to Wood Turning ✓ Process & Techniques ✓ Finishing ✓ Safety and Best Practices ✓ 10 Beginner Woodturning Projects ✓ Tips, Glossary, and Conclusion I have included ample photographs of realistic beginner projects, and I will explain the processes and standard operating procedures associated with them. In the last chapter, I have provided tips for beginners and a glossary of woodturning terms. So what are you waiting for?