Pushing the Limits of Woodworking
When it comes to woodworking, there are endless possibilities. Wood is one of those materials that is easy to manipulate, allowing artists to bring beautiful creations to life. Jim Hineline (@jimboslice_workshop) is one of the OLFA Pro All-Stars, as well as a skillful woodworker with over 10 years of experience. Throughout his career, he’s shown that there are no boundaries between woodworking and designs. In this interview, we not only learn more about the trade but also see how he pushes the limits of woodworking with his projects.
“Over the years I've made a lot of furniture for my house, as well as for close friends and family. Although satisfied with all the projects I work on, there is one that I’m most proud of: my oldest daughter’s bed. It was a fun and challenging build, especially erecting the upright house frame portion from scratch. What made it so special was seeing the excitement on my daughter’s face as the bed was being built and then completed. It was a moment I will always hold close to.”
After uncovering his most rewarding design, we asked Jim to walk us through the process that went behind building the bed. He tells us how he chose the right wood and which tools were indispensable during the project.
“When it comes to woodworking, it’s important to remember that every project is different. I always choose the type of wood based on the task at hand, as well as the available budget. Although my personal favorite is poplar wood, for the bed specifically I decided to go with pine, since it’s a bit cheaper.
After selecting the wood type, I move on to the tools that will accompany me during the project.
For woodworking, power tools are a must-have. I could not live without my track saw, as it helps me break down sheet goods, trim, and put perfect edges on it. But what is always by my side is a good old fashion carpenters’ pencil and my favorite OLFA MXP-L Utility Knife. The reason why these are my favorite tools is that they embody quality and performance. When it’s time to buy tools, quality should be the most important driver in how pick your tools. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for: higher quality tools may cost more, but do have a higher value to them. This is exactly what I appreciate about my OLFA knives. They are of the utmost quality, as represented by the well-designed ergonomics which make my work easier and faster.
As I grab the tools I need during the project, I also reach for protective equipment. The most important PPE for me is my dust mask. I wear it when sanding or performing other tasks that generate a considerable amount of dust. Wearing safety glasses is also key, so you can protect your eyes at all times”.
Woodworking is a trade that has become very popular in recent years because it provides a way for people to express their creativity while building something functional for everyday use. But going into woodworking isn’t easy, so we asked Jim if he had any tips for beginners who want to get into woodworking: “The most important thing is to just do it. If you wait to try to create something because you are scared to make a mistake, or you believe you aren't skilled enough, you will never learn. You need to just pick up the tools and make it. For every project that I work on, no matter how big or small, I try to take something away from it. The biggest lesson is that you can never improve if you don’t make mistakes”.
You can shop Jim's recommended tools here.
Jim Hineline Bio:
Jim here from the greater Chicago area. I’m a trade butcher of over 10 year with a love for woodworking. In my shop I enjoy turning wood on my lathe, building furniture and restoring old tools among other things. I have two children and another one due in about a month. I am excited to be back a part of the Olfa Pro All Stars! I love Olfa knives and can’t wait to show them off along the way!