Nick Offerman’s Advice For Woodworking Beginners

Nick Offerman’s Advice For Woodworking Beginners

If you’ve ever thought about getting into carpentry or any other type of woodworking, here’s a chance to learn a thing or two from Ron Swanson himself.

In this video from the This Old House YouTube channel, actor and carpenter Nick Offerman shares some nuggets of wisdom for beginning woodworkers. Here’s some of his best tips:

  • Find a mentor: If you know a family member or neighbour with some woodworking skills, ask if they’d be willing to teach you.
  • Start small around the house: Kill two birds with one stone and learn while you take on a smaller fix at home. Fix your porch, build a doghouse or make your own birdhouses.
  • Get a small lathe: Woodturning is fun and lets you create intricate designs easily. It doesn’t take long to learn the basics and you can finish great-looking pieces in a couple hours.
  • Start with a table, clamps and some chisels: Learn to cut dovetail joints and mortise and tenon joints. You’ll see how easy it is to shave wood like butter or cheese.

Offerman notes that there’s something elemental and healthy about using both your brain and hands to solve a problem or build something, and woodworking fits the bill perfectly. Building things is a hobby anyone can enjoy and learn from, no matter what you do for a living. If you’re brave enough to pick up some tools and give it a shot, bully for you.

Nick Offerman’s Woodworking Advice [YouTube]

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