How to learn to use tools safely?

[Kath1]

I want to renovate my house. It is an unfinished time capsule from 2016 when my husband left. I know no one. I can only afford to do the work myself. Why aren't Bunnings running workshops anymore?

I've tried joining a Men's Shed but can't coz I'm a woman. Please help. Don't want to resort to dating a Builder with Benefits. 

[Dave-1]

Evening @SkyeRoxanne 

I still get nervous of projects! And am always learning

Sometimes I have chosen too large a goal and end up with "blockades" as I call them. The parts that I know how to do, no issues and then I run into something out of scope for my comfort level and the project stalls... for weeks  lol

Have you had a go at building or moddifying anything else? Table, Bench, outside bench? And I just thought of a perfect thing to try!  Its something that will come in handy, very handy for your shed and something that you willfind multiple uses for plus you will learn skills (If you havent them alread) of how to put a box together.

I am suggesting you build a couple or three old school saw horses. I had drawn up the saw hores I aquired form Telstra years ago but @MitchellMc actually drew up the plans and nailed it! 

Saw horses (Upcycled Telstra installation stands) 

Having a few of these guys will be handy and gaurenteed you will know which one you built first compared to the last one! If you can put together something solid as these then as they say "The shed is your oyster"

Oh and if you want to learn how to use tools, as @EricL sugests youtube is good but you have access to a whole bunch of people in here (Just ask a question), we all have different skills and levels within those skills so no worry about where you are skillwise.

Dave

[SkyeRoxanne]

Thanks for the idea! I was actually looking at saw horse plans this morning. I figured the same. I need to start small and develop my skills. 

After the saw horses I am thinking a sun lounger, there were a lot simple plans around for those too and it was on my to buy list anyway.

I also had a carpenter look over my plans and he has green lighted the framing plan I drew up and checked the span tables to confirm I got the lintels right. (I am that type of person who reads the framing standards for fun!!)

I figure if I demonstrate competency in those items I will be on my way to the skills I need. 

[Dave-1]

Evening @SkyeRoxanne 

Strange that you mentioned next on your list a sunlounge...

Heres one I prepared earlier lol Outside timber lounge with wheels 

It was one of the easier pieces I have made, Everything kept to standard lengths and all heights I stole off existing furniture It is actually really comfortable to lie on.

Dave

[MitchellMc]

Hi @SkyeRoxanne,

Check out his handy guide for constructing a sturdy set of sawhorses: How to build a saw horse. 

It's a great project for someone starting out, and the plus is that you'll have a surface to work on for future projects.

Mitchell

[jezreelD]

How to use power tools?

[JacobZ]

Hi @jezreelD,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

Perhaps you'd like to check out some of the following articles for some general guidance on different power tools.

• Tools 101: How To Use Power Drills
   
• Tools 101: How To Use Power Saws
   
• Tools 101: How To Use Power Sanders
   
• Get To Know Your Angle Grinder
   
• The D.I.Y. Guide To The Circular Saw.

This covers most power tools you will come across in a D.I.Y. setting, but if there are more specific tools you are looking for guidance on, please let me know so I can advise further.

Jacob