New woodworker, looking for advice.....

[Uncle Monkey]

Ok, so I'm about to undertake my first woodworking project (Fighter Sticks link in sig) and I've just about decided on walnut. I'd love for all you woodworking gurus to chime in with any helpful thoughts/advice. 

[drventure]

Walnut's a nice wood. If you can do veneer, you might get out a little cheaper (like if the top was walnut and the sides were going to be something else).

All-wood projects often benefit from having some contrast, thing Walnut and maple, or ash, Light and dark.

Be sure to have some pine scraps lying around for test cuts. That can really help prevent creation of expensive firewood 

I've found some really good "idea" books at Half price books, things like furniture designs, etc. I found one book called "400 Wood boxes". Some really incredible designs in there. None specifically arcade, but you're looking for layout ratios, and detailing ideas.

[kahlid74]

Drventure hit several great points.

Walnut is a fantastic wood but it's expensive and it's hard, so it's in your best interest to get some cheap wood and measure/test your cuts first.  Also, like I said before Walnut is a hard wood so it's important to have sharp/new blades on your saws and sharp/new drill bits.  You can use dull ones but they sound super loud, make crappy cuts and have a tendency to lower the life of your power tools.  Make sure your router bits (if you use one) are super new/sharp.  A bad router bit on a hard wood will jump on you and can do some serious damage to you and the wood.

Best of luck man!  Measure, Measure Measure and then cut.  Take your time and don't rush it.

[yaksplat]

One thing to remember when working with walnut, it can be hazardous.  Treat the dust as a poison.  Initial exposure may not bother you, but subsequent exposures can trigger breathing problems and rashes.  Do a search on walnut poisoning for more information.

[kahlid74]

One thing to remember when working with walnut, it can be hazardous.  Treat the dust as a poison.  Initial exposure may not bother you, but subsequent exposures can trigger breathing problems and rashes.  Do a search on walnut poisoning for more information.

Yaksplat hit the nail on the head.

I was also going to add to make sure you use proper protection (mask, ear plugs, eye protection) and to be in a well ventilated area.

[GregD]

 When routing walnut make more than one pass.  Your last pass should be just a fraction of an inch and just to finish the profile.