I might be the worst carpenter. but I'm trying to psych myself out to step up.

[vash]

the lady across the street installed a little library. last year, some hoodlums pushed it over and really tweaked it. parents heard, and the next morning, I saw a them supervising the kids trying to straighten it out.

it is about done now. door is gone, it is a rombus in every direction.

nobody seems to care. people use it. especially the little kids and the elderly.

so, I think I am going to take it on. I have a fear of table saws. PTSD almost from cutting myself badly.

how hard can this be? I plan on gluing and clamping boards for the structure. and installing a new library from the post up. digging a hole will suck.

the OG lady moved to Minnesota so I think it is up to me. I'm helping a coworker prep for upcoming promotion interview. maybe he can repay me by helping me. he is a finish carpenter..well in his youth. he has skills.

[Steve F]

Vash, you can't be afraid of the saws, you just have to respect them! I know, not much help, but good on you for tackling it!

[911 Rod]

Show us a pic and maybe we can help.

[rfuerst911sc]

Vash how did you cut yourself badly ? Blade guard removed ? Not using a push stick ? Severe kick back ? My point is " generally " speaking table saws are safe if used properly . As stated above power tools need to be respected . Fear clouds judgement and can lead to lapse in concentration . That's when a tool bites you . Good luck with the project , you can do this I am sure . But if you are truly scared then walk away . We won't take your man card

[oldE]

Hey, it's a box. Almost every beginning level carpentry project is a box ( and some of the more advanced ones, too).
You've got this.
My advice: draw everything first. Understand how the parts go together and figure out why the original one folded with some abuse and engineer the crap out of this one.

Best
Les

[Noah930]

Digging the hole won't be as bad as you fear. But squaring the post up single-handed is a slight pain. It'll help to have a, well, helper. The rest is bound to be better than what's there now.

[Danimal16]

One thing about wood working that I came to appreciate many years ago when I started; your mistakes give you a warm smile on a cold night.

Go for it!

[masraum]

Yep, provide pics, please.

You're Vash! You can do this. We all have faith.

( try to not remove any digits in the process )

[look 171]

Im not sure how you cut yourself but I remember seeing your post about it way back. I wasn't posting as much back then. I bet you pulled the board out from the front and the stock got pinched between the blade and the fence and pulled your hang into the blade. The trick is to never, ever allow the piece of lumber between a running saw blade and the fence or cross cut a narrow piece.

I taught High school wood shop when I got out of college for a few years. If my little 15-16 year old, boy and girl students can built some pretty complex projects, you sure can too. They all know how to use the table saw safely. Now let's see those simple plans and a couple of pics of the location

[creaturecat]

a circular saw can make a nice cut - ......... proper blade and a straight edge.
nice side facing down - maybe some tape on the good edge - beforehand.

[red 928]

my two cents:

If you are not comfortable using a power saw,
don't use a power saw.

Either get someone to do it for you or get someone
to teach you and make you proficient with a power saw
and thereby comfortable with it's use.

[911 Rod]

I find the safest way to use a power tool is to grab it by the balls if you know what I mean.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

I find the safest way to use a power tool is to grab it by the balls if you know what I mean.

You mean like when the kick back happens, it nails you in the balls?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by oldE

Hey, it's a box.

Les,

Its a rhombus that wants to be more like a box.



I say, given no insight except rhombus, it's crooked. Straighten/square it out and measure. Go to Home Depot and have them cut a piece of particle board all the way to good on both sides 1" thick plywood to shore the thing up and hold it square. I have to assume a simple IKEA type bookshelf with a back and a door or doors.

No idea what you have to do but as stated, if you are afraid don't do it. Maybe the co-worker who owes you works while you supervise would work best.

[id10t]

I've done a project or two with "I don't have a saw, lets see what size wood is available at Lowes"

Certainly enough to build a box, etc. Might need to make one or two cuts wiht a hand saw.

[vash]

Original is plywood. I feel I can do better.

[herr_oberst]

You don't have to start from scratch. People give away suitable boxes all the time.

Wooden drawers or cabinets from a kitchen remod, home stereo speakers, flat-pack furniture. Maybe a decrepit old tool box or tackle box can be the basis with some imagination and creativity.
Find a suitable carcass on a craigslist or neighborhood free pile, and then augment it with your own ideas. Put a shelf or two inside, cut some nice planks for the outside to disguise the humble origins, and make it look wonderful. Then figure out how to attach the base to a post (maybe the post could be steel - 1 1/2 or 2" threaded pipe with the appropriate flange? Just an idea).

I wish I lived closer. I'd love to help you figure this out. I'd try to make it for as little cost as possible if not free, but by using creativity, make sure it isn't a blight in the neighborhood.
There's a guy that lives around me that turned an old gas pump into a parking-strip free-box for toy cars. His cost was elbow grease, not cash, and it looks fantastic.

[Seahawk]

I was, not affectionately, called the “Wood Butcher” by my grandfather, an excellent craftsman.

My motto: Measure once, cut three times then go get more wood

It’s a gift.

[stevej37]

As far as digging the hole...one of the neighbors is bound to have one of these....
Buy one bag of redi-mix and you're all set.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by vash

Original is plywood. I feel I can do better.

This looks like a terrific post - why don't you just use this?