Help needed with a progressive woodworking project

[Rafael]

Hello everyone,

I accidentally sent an email about this topic to the board members earlier, so apologies if you are part of that group and are seeing this twice.

I’m looking for help with a progressive woodworking project. My ultimate goal is to build a wooden slat wall myself, not buy premade panels. This is the kind of finished look I’m using as my “north star” reference:

If interested I took it from this video

I know this is a considerable project, especially because I do not yet have enough hands-on experience with all the required tools. Because of that, I’m planning to approach it gradually over several months. That would let me build skill, spread out the cost, and avoid trying to do the whole thing in one big push.

For the actual DIY approach to building the wooden slat wall, this video is closer to the method I have in mind:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E4erda3U_U

There is also one specific part of the first video that I would like to replicate before doing the full slat wall: the boards at the top and bottom of the slat wall, with space for LED strips pointing down and up. My idea is to extend that concept around the whole room, almost like a custom crown molding / lighting channel near the ceiling, so I can have indirect LED lighting around the room.

This second video shows the general lighting effect I’m aiming for, although my intended construction method is closer to the first video:

Taken from this other video

So the first step I’m considering is not the full wooden slat wall yet. The first step would be learning how to safely and accurately build that upper room perimeter trim / crown-molding-like structure with space for LED strips. That seems like a more manageable starting point and a good way to build experience before moving on to the larger slat wall project.

As for my current tool experience:

• I’ve used a circular saw and a hand saw before.
• I used a miter saw once, many years ago, but it was already set up for me.
• I’ve never used a table saw.
• I’ve never used a coping saw.
• I’ve never used a jigsaw.

I’ve watched a good number of YouTube videos to understand the basics and be aware of what to do and what not to do, but I know that is not the same as proper hands-on instruction.

I’m looking for someone who is certified or experienced with these tools and would be willing to help me learn how to use them safely. It would also be great to connect with anyone interested in woodworking, room lighting, or DIY room projects who would like to chat, share ideas, or nerd out about the project.

If this sounds interesting, or if you know someone who might be able to help, please let me know.

Thanks!

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Rafael Karosuo

LinkedIn

[Moheeb Zara]

This is awesome and I'm interested to see how it goes (I've been wanting to put slats in my hallway) if you feel up to it please document your journey at https://heatsynclabs.io 

As for those tools, you don't need certification for any of those, they're offered in a "at your own risk use best judgement" capacity but I'm certain there are members willing to help you get familiarized.

You should seek out Andre who we defer to as the woodshop station champion. More often then not you're likely to run into him during open hours working on his boat project. 

Just make sure you sign the waiver 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdg59iLo5rDZL7f3GvHIVXVu_32vqjwYCCfuRvyMTK1P5RGhg/viewform 

Then brush up on general safety rules here:

https://wiki.heatsynclabs.org/wiki/Rules#Safety_equipment

For the table saw you'll have to roll that outside (extension cable and outlet by the back door to the machine shop)

TLDR fire safety and limited-space reasons mean some of this work has to be done outback. 

[Rafael]

Oh, ok! That's awesome, let me start planning my visits and I really hope I can pull this through, best case you can benefit from it as well

Rafael Karosuo

LinkedIn

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[Rafael]

I forgot to ask, what days are you usually usually down at HSL?

Rafael Karosuo

LinkedIn

[Milton Williams]

I attempted something similar a while back. I would recommend using the tracksaw. I would work up 2 "templates" to set the track saw exactly where you need it every time to reduce tiny changes in width. This needs very consistent widths and I struggled to get those on the table saw. Every half millimeter off shows up in parallel slats, like it draws attention to the error. I would also make template for your drill holes, spacers, and anything you possible can to make everything super repeatable.

-Milton

[Rafael]

Huh, interesting, thanks for the tip.
I thought the track saw was going to be a bit odd to use for cutting slats out of  3x1 or whatever lumber boards I end-up getting.
I guess I assumed I had to use boards, like 3x1s or 2x4s, because I needed to use actual wood, something like pine or something soft (not that I know a lot of woods, just putting some of the stuff I've heard together)

I have to double check the measurements that I am planning on using now that I think about it, for some reason I was thinking of having 1-in deep slats.
But if I go down a bit, use 3/4-in, then I could use a plywood sheet and use the track saw more comfortably there.

Did you use plywood sheets on your project? or lumber boards to cut-out your slats

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Rafael Karosuo

LinkedIn

[Milton Williams]

Ok. I might have been misunderstanding what you intended, but I would lean towards an engineered wood like plywood. Not as cheap, but less warping. My project, which got shelved after I lost some peices in a move, was built using reclaimed 3/4" Baltic birch plywood. It was intended to be a coat rack with hangers that popped out of the spaces. I like it because the 1/16" layers look so good. When I got the spacers put in it looked so cool. The reclaimed wood I got was orange on one side and baby blue on the other. So depending on where you stood you got a different effect. 

I would be happy to meet up and talk through some options. Don't let my advice change your goal, I am just hoping to provide some helpful information to help. 

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[Rafael]

Oh absolutely and I appreciate the time and suggestions.

And yeah that would be nice.

When are you usually going down to HSL?

I'm still putting up some money to buy the initial lumber for the crown moulding/baseboard, but I was considering this Saturday July 11 (and generally going down ok Saturdays)

Weekdays are difficult for me, I could drop by to talk but just for maybe 20 or so minutes as HSL somewhat is in between my work-home trip, at around 430pm (Monday through Wednesday)

Rafael Karosuo

LinkedIn

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[Milton Williams]

Saturday works for me. Name a time after 9 am and before 3 pm (need to be done by 5) and I will be there. 

I will bring some scraps of different plywood so you can see what I was telling you about. 

Thank you,

Milton

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