All,
Started my 'practice' with power tools yesterday in preparation for my first build. I've used an electric drill maybe a dozen times in my life, so I have no delusions about my utter lack of skills going into this.
Started off cutting 4" holes in 3/16" particle board with a saber saw. First few passes were just laughably bad. Then presto -- I started to get pretty good at it. Moved up to 3/4" pine did pretty good. Hard maple, not too bad.
Overall, it started out comically bad, but after a few hours I got the hang of it. By no means a master or even good, but competent, and these were on fairly tight curves/cuts. After I chilled and quit holding the saw with a death grip, things were much easier.
Really made me appreciate the seriousness of putting a blade to a pricey piece of wood!
I'm going to keep practicing on scraps throughout the weekend, then I plan on getting a cheap piece at a lumberyard/sawmill and try my hand on an actual shape.
PS -- the smell of wood can get addictive.
Jay
