Welcome To The Woodworking Shed!
An Introduction to me, The Woodworking Shed and an outline of how I plan to start my new journey into becoming a hobbyist woodworker and writer!
New to The Woodworking Shed? Don't worry! I've made a handy index page to find every episode in this series and more!
Who are you and why are you here?
Sometimes in life, you reach a point where you want to do something new. For me, that something new was a hobby - two, actually: Woodworking and writing.
Woodworking is something that has fascinated me for a long time - I have ingested more content on the subject than I care to admit. I’ve put off giving it a try several times for various reasons: Time, space, money, but those are all excuses.
In 2025 I have finally decided that I will become a woodworker…
…As if it was that simple!
My name is Daniel, I’m 33 years young living in Leicestershire, UK with my partner Hayley and our little girl Eleanor.
Here I am! Enjoying my favourite Belgian beverage.
By day I am a mechanical project engineer - does that make me a robot?!
It doesn’t I promise, you’ll find NO AI content here, sorry!
Perhaps there will be a few transferable skills… Anyways, what can I say about me? I hate this stuff. I like whisky, woodworking and music! - Perhaps I shouldn’t mix the first two.
Woodworking for EVERYONE!
When I first started my woodworking journey I had no plans to write about it. Then I was inspired by a friend. So I did. There’s no deep story… I have never written online before. This is all new!
It’s taken me some time to find my stride. At first, I just wanted to share my projects - I had no real direction. My writing was awkward, perhaps a little textbook…
As I have written more and more I have started to find my voice - I have also found my true niche.
Accessible woodworking
The Woodworking Shed is not meant to be just another woodworking blog. There are plenty of those out there already. I want to do something a bit different:
Woodworking that can be enjoyed no matter your skill level.
Woodworking in simple, fun language with the jargon stripped away.
Woodworking without a fancy workshop (Shed isn’t in the title for nothing!).
Woodworking kept honest with all mistakes proudly presented.
Woodworking as a community, where no question gets left unanswered.
I’m here to have fun, and I want you to see that and have fun too!
This is a huge project for me - Woodworking & writing - Both new hobbies, both with ZERO previous experience. I have no expectations - I don’t think that next year I’ll be making thousands selling on Etsy, and a small fortune from Substack! (Would be nice though wouldn’t it?)
Pipe dreams of celebrity status aside. I am excited to be sharing this journey with you. So why not join me in the shed? Let’s learn and laugh together…
So What Can I Expect to See?
Everything!
If it’s happening in the shed, you’ll see it here. My whole journey, the good, the bad, even the things I really don’t want you to see!
Here’s what you can expect to see:
A detailed account of how I created my workshop.
All of my toolbox decisions as I build up my woodworking toolkit.
All woodworking projects big & small.
The occasional personal tale from beyond the workshop.
Every. Single. Mistake.
As I move forward this list is guaranteed to increase, I want to write tutorials, do Q&A’s and hopefully get some of you involved too!
The Tools of the Craft
The Woodworking Shed is founded upon the use of traditional hand tools.
I've been fascinated by them for a while and I can't think of a better way to pursue this craft. But it wasn't always that way…
When I first became interested in woodworking it was through videos of woodworkers with thousands of pounds worth of professional power tools and machines making perfect interlocking joints… So satisfying!
But then I found Paul Sellers. Since then I’ve found myself drawn to a simpler approach…
Hand tools provide a slower, more relaxing approach to woodworking. And in my opinion, they make woodworking more accessible too. For that reason, The Woodworking Shed is a power tool free zone!
Alright… may see a circular saw from time to time but only outside the shed! So it doesn’t count - OK?
The New Home of Woodworking…
…My shed!
Now you understand the genius behind the name of this publication!
It’s pretty small at 6 by 8 feet but size doesn’t matter… right?
It’s the official home of The Woodworking Shed. All of my woodworking projects will be performed here, big and small.
It’s going to be a challenge, it may get cluttered at times but I am determined to make use of every square inch and prove that you don’t need a large workshop to take up woodworking as a hobby - To prove that woodworking IS accessible!
I have big plans for this little space… See you on the inside!
How You Can Help!
Just hitting that like button on my posts helps me to get The Woodworking Shed noticed!
If you'd truly like to support my mission to make woodworking more accessible, you can do so by becoming a paid subscriber or by buying me a coffee!
Early bird paid subscribers get 33% off forever!
Your support directly enables the growth of The Woodworking Shed and supports accessible woodworking!
Look forward to hearing from you -
~ The Woodworking Shed
Eager to get started!?
Check out my other content! Head over to the homepage to find it all!
Last year I made a lame attempt to build furniture from scrap! They weren't the strongest pieces but I was so proud!😊 I'm really excited to learn from you!💯
Definitely subscribing. My wife and I are doing woodworking projects as a couple because she wants to learn how to use the tools and build things.