The Common Woodworking Website Is Live
New to woodworking woodworkers! Maybe that’s you! We’d like to help you.
When you think you are interested in woodworking few things cause more confusion than trying to buy a dovetail saw or negotiate the mine fields of buying the right tools. With so much information out there it is very confusing because it’s mainly sales outlets who put it the information out and not the artisans that use them. Machine woodworking introduces further conflict because the assumption is that hand tools and machine methods are extensions of one another when in reality the two different worlds take you in totally opposite directions.
We’ve launched Common Woodworking to help you through the maze of confusion. What do you really need to dip your toes in when you begin your woodworking adventure? Well, you may not know this, you actually don’t need any power equipment at all, especially so-called power routers, jigsaws or power saws of any kind to get started. In fact you may choose never to own such things. It’s amazing what you don’t need to make fine things for your home and family. It’s amazing what you can make with about 20 common hand tools. It’s not old fashioned, old timey or in any way to feed nostalgic urges to work with hand methods, far from it. Thousands upon thousands of woodworkers, new and seasoned too, are discovering that hand work is progressive and powerful, inspiring and empowering.
Clearing the decks
It’s brand new. Common Woodworking is currently in its very opening phase and we have done a great deal of work in getting the launch ready. Over the coming months we will be adding fresh content to include updates, exercises, projects and reviews. Behind the scenes, Izzy, our research and content creator for Common Woodworking, connects with Joseph, Phil and myself to develop the specific details and ideas to present them on the site. Remember too, contributing your thoughts and comments will be an active part of the site’s DNA.
With serious woodworkers like myself having relied on hand tool methods for decades, we promote some of the most efficient, learnable and effective ways for working wood. Common Woodworking has been progressing its work to redress the need for good training online for woodworkers. If your quest is to become a knowledgeable and competent woodworker making quality projects from solid wood then Common Woodworking is designed to that end. Join your fellow woodworkers and learn alongside as we investigate what you really need to start real woodworking.
For over 50 years my daily work has relied on about 20 hand tools. The first thing you’ll learn following our Common Woodworking plan is how to sharpen and set up those essential tools. Common Woodworking is currently free as an online resource worldwide.
Note: If you have already signed up for Woodworking Masterclasses you can use the same login details for this site. The two sites are intended to complement each other so we hope you will enjoy using them side by side.
I see it in march, I was asking myself when it will be launched.
I think it will complete your site and WWMC perfectly. There’s already a lot of content here and there but it can be difficult to find something or to have a global overview of the content (especialy here where you don’t use taxonomy a lot).
Login with WWMC id works fine.
I read the first Izzy’s post of the blog over there. Welcome to here. It’s a good idea to have a real beginner writing articles and buying guides.
It’ s a great site! I noticed it a month ago. Very interesting for beginners! Nice idea!
Since I know Paul’s web and video channel, I’ve wondered many times why he does all these things we can see: free videos, free tutorials, free sharing of knowledge, free teaching. Since unfortunately my experience of life is that almost nobody does anything for the rest of the people if there is not a benefit, I must say that it’s fantastic to know that there is some people who makes things different… and better.
Thank you very much, Paul and team.
That’s really cool, it can be daunting starting out. Is there a plan for masterclasses to evolve to more advanced projects or do you envisage it following the same course it has been on?
Hi Paul,
Thank you for creating the Common Woodworking website.
I’ve been part of your Masterclasses for the past 3 years and have learned a lot. I will often want to go back and find something you’ve done (e.g. how to set up the burr on a scraper). Since you are so prolific in your writing (which we all love by the way – thank you so much) involves some googling to find the specific post. What you are doing with Common Woodworking is a great idea and resource.
Just another thought, I have a few mentors & friends in my other big hobby that have passed away. I miss them a lot. I often feel comforted by the fact they wrote so much. It allows me to tap into their minds on things they taught me and provide me with new insights on things I wasn’t yet ready to comprehend or understand. Your writing and videos will be the same for all of us someday. It is really the gift that will keep on giving. Thank you for that.
Paul, great content as always. Now you’re in your new shop it seems like you have been inspired to create and nothing is hold you back, which is brilliant. As a new wood worker, I worry about wood movement and what to do to acclimate wood. I’ll be working in a Garage, and the UK is a very wet climate as you know. Could you cover this on Common Woodworking?
We have plans for this and other core issues central to the theme of getting started so keep plugged in.
I love you site Paul
Came across it recently
I’m now in my seventies
I have really great memories
As a small boy in my Fathers workshop as he went about his daiy routine making door Windows cart’s cart wheels
And everything in between
Only hand tools
I wasted so much of his good timber when he was away working
With the help of my Siblings making all kind of wild imaginary thins that 8 to 10 year olds get up to
All those years later when I walk into s place where wood is been shaped and I get that smell of timber My mine is immediately brought to those beautiful memories
I have always regretted not perusing a career working with wood
Hi Paul I thought you worked in your garage, it looks like you have a big recording studio with offices and an on set work shop.
What size is the work shop.
I am the same age as you and have been building boats all my life but I still find your tutorials very interesting and easy to follow ideal for all keen enthusiasts.
By the way have a very happy birthday
For practical reasons and because of the high demand for our work we built a replication of the garage workshop so it’s about 8 feet by 20 feet overall but we have worked out that almost anything can be made in a 10 foot by 8 foot space.