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What advice would you give someone who's just about to start their first cab?
SmartBomb:
I'm just about to complete my first cab, after about 3 months work, on and off. Before this, I was a total newbie - my woodworking skills extended to assembling IKEA furniture. My goals in this project were to end up with something really cool that I'd love to play, and learn some woodworking and handyman skills along the way.
Here are some "lessons learned" during the project:
* If you're like me, and you tend to sweat a lot during exertion, get a fan for your work area! A floor fan or large standing fan would be great.
* If you're less an expert with imperial measurements ("Hmm...3/16th...that's, erm, 6/64", so if I have this 1/8" drill bit....") a cheapo pocket calculator comes in handy.
* Definitely take pictures - a cheap digital camera, in a baggie or carrying case, will work wonders. Your friends will be interested to see your construction pics. Don't forget to document your failures as well as your successes, as a warning to others!
* Get a couple of air cans - the kind you use to blow dust out of your computer. It may seem decadent, but they're great for blowing away wood shaving, dust etc. It gets tedious to always have to do it yourself, and even worse if you keep having to take your mask off to do it.
* If you're not an experienced woodworker, mock everything up before you cut. Use foam board, cardboard, or just lay stuff out on the wood and draw around it - but dry fit everything to make sure you don't get any unpleasant surprises.
* A good, powerful work light really helps, especially during painting.
* Don't make your cab playable until your project is complete, otherwise you will forever have a cabinet that's 85% complete ;)
* Don't forget to provide yourself with music while you work - it can be relaxing (as long as it doesn't distract you).
* Most tools and jobs are less intimidating than they might seem, as long as you take it slow and read instructions. Before this project I'd never used a router, circular saw, jigsaw or even painted anything.
* Set yourself a timeline for the project - otherwise it'll never get done - but don't beat yourself up if you overshoot. This is meant to be fun, remember!
* Create yourself a spreadsheet, logging your expenses and how many hours you spend on your project. (you might want to password protect it so your spouse can't open it...)
* Have a broad plan, but attack the project iteratively. e.g., build a control panel first...start building the cab, dry fit stuff, and correct mid-course if necessary. Even with really good plans, things rarely go according to plan.
* Have a memorable codename for your project. This may sound silly, but it really helps when referring to it for discussing with others.
* And of course, buy at least two copies of Saint's book!
Quarters:
I'm also just finishing my first cab. "Don't make your cab playable until your project is complete" I can vouch for that one.
Tips to avoid my dumbass mistakes:
* Make a list of all the parts you need to order before ordering the first item. I wasted shipping $$ by ordering from two vendors twice.
* If building a cocktail, get the glass before cutting the tabletop. I have an extra tabletop out on the deck
Dexter:
Just the one bit of advice, PLAN PLAN PLAN. Next cab I'm building I'll build in half the time simply by knowing the correct order to do things in, and having the extra bits you don't think of to hand.
Stu_C:
Hi Dexter,
What would you recommend as the correct order?
bionicbadger:
If you are working with MDF, wear a dust mask, and if possible do any router work outside because MDF make a LOT of dust.
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