| Q:
How did you get into woodworking?
A:
After having a job that involved (and still
does) sitting in front of a computer for many
hours a day, I needed something to escape from
the PC madness, and at the time, I had a need
to construct some items for around the home,
so I started a few basic woodworking projects.
This is when I started becoming certified a
tool junkie (yes I admit it!) and since then
I have loved working with tools and wood to
create functional furniture and storage items
for around the home, and to use my woodworking
tools and skills for occasional renovation tasks
as well (trim and finishing work etc).
As an editor of a magazine (based on Flight
Simulators) I had a background in product review
among many other things, and in 2003 I started
OnlineToolReviews.com,
a website that provides detailed reviews of
woodworking products. The site has grown rapidly
over the last five years and now has around
200 full product reviews available online for
free viewing.
Q:
Who are your woodworking heroes/gods/gurus?
A:
I try not to idolise any particular woodworker.
I like to generate my own woodworking style,
but I appreciate the designs and works of most
of the traditional woodworkers. But being a
power tool junkie, I will admit to liking the
style of Norm Abram (of New Yankee Workshop
fame). He has a direct, to the point style of
showing how to recreate a wide variety of woodworking
designs from many eras. I also admire woodturners
like Richard Raffan whose skill and speed at
the lathe is nothing short of miraculous! I
also admire the many woodworkers who can take
something from nature and turn it into something
functional that still looks like it has come
from nature! I love seeing solid pieces of raw
material left in their near-natural state.
Q:
What do you mainly make?
A:
With three young children it seems most of the
projects I am currently making are functional
pieces for around the home. Bookcases, tables,
chairs, storage projects etc. I also enjoy making
shop ‘furniture’ such as workbenches,
cabinets etc. I am starting to get into more
abstract works on the lathe and exploring designs
with more of a natural theme via use of curves
and irregular angled joints etc.
Q:
Your thoughts on traditional vs ‘new’
and digital?
A:
I guess you could say that I was born in the
power tool age, so this is my preference, although
my collection of traditional tools is slowly
growing. It is just so quick and easy to grab
a good hand plane to smooth out a small surface
or to knock off a sharp edge than to fiddle
around with power cords and dealing with electrical
supply. However, since my time is always at
a premium, the speed with which one can deliver
results with power tools cannot be denied, although
it sometimes lacks the satisfaction you get
from working wood with nothing but a good hand
tool and a bit of elbow grease.
Q:
What are you pet woodworking hates?
A:
I would have to say watching people use power
tools in a very unsafe manner. I can certainly
see why there are so many woodworking accidents
when tools are used in such a way. Power tools
require great respect and it is a shame they
are not regularly given it by their operators.
Apart from that, the usual stuff like finding
out you need something else for a project after
you just returned from a 30 minute drive to
the local woodworking store! Also, seeing good
quality wood being tossed through a huge shredder
to be used as woodchips or garden mulch, Eeeek!
Q:
What is your desert island hand tool/ machine/
timber/ woodie book?
A:
The machine would have to be the tablesaw. It
is so versatile and useful! As for hand tool,
I find myself reaching for the block plane more
than any other. A good sharp chisel is also
handy. My desert island timber… well,
I love working with burls of any kind. These
might be hard to find on a desert island though
*grins*. Woodie book… Australian Wood
Review of course!
Q:
The best thing you’ve ever made?
A:
My children!… oh, you mean a woodworking
thing? Probably an extended support fence for
my mitre saw with a tape measure mounted on
it and a stop for cutting repeated lengths accurately.
It has saved so much time building all the other
things I have made.
Q:
Your best excuse for not getting something quite
right?
A:
I’m a perfectionist. If it is not right,
I can only blame myself.
Q:
Your most often-made mistake?
A:
Measuring once, and having to cut twice! Always
measure twice, and cut once.
Q:
Your biggest woodworking disaster!?
A:
Not designing a foot stool properly to take
load correctly when standing on the outside
edge. I took a minor fall once and binned it
straight away and built a better one with angled
legs. Another is a table failing at the leg
joints because the rails were not sufficiently
wide enough for the load. All beginner woodie
mistakes I guess!
Q:
The thing I would most like to change
about wood is…
A:
Its growth rate. If only it grew ten times faster
we wouldn’t have to worry as much about
the loss of trees and feeling guilty about chopping
it down for commercial use.
Q:
The thing I would most like to change about
woodworkers is…
A:
Respect for their tools. Please read the manuals
supplied with your tool first, and if you are
not sure about using a tool in particular, seek
advice first. Most good woodworkers are full
of respect for their tools, their environment,
and full of respect for others despite their
level of skill!
Q:
The thing I would most like to change about
my own woodworking is…
A:
Not rushing to get the job done. Spending a
little extra time sanding before finishing.
I always seem to get a little impatient in the
sanding phase of a project!
Q:
My final word on woodwork is…
A:
Enjoy it! Find wood sources that are sustainable,
or recycled (so there is plenty of resources
for the future and for your children). Be willing
to share your gained knowledge to others to
make them better woodies.
Write to Dean at: dbielanowski@optushome.com.au
Visit Dean’s website: www.onlinetoolreviews.com |
