You can always practice on something other than briar. For instance, I have been known to cut several squares off of a 2X4 and practice new drilling techniques. I always drill into a 2x4 when I shape a new spade bit to see what the chamber will look like and to make sure I got the bit even.ScoJo wrote:I need to get this cleared up before I move to one of my better plateaux blocks because I have precious few of those and I would like to not kill any of them.
For practicing turning tenons, I would recommend drilling a mortise into a hardwood, as the pine 2x4 is too easily compressed when inserting a too large tenon into a too small mortise. Or, get yourself some more cheapo $6 blocks and have at it till you get your process worked out. (If this were me, I would not proceed to the expensive stock till I had done so).
I actually kept one block for a year after I drilled it as I wanted to get more experience shaping before tearing into such a beautiful piece of briar. I knew the shape I was going to make when I sanded the sides, but I still waited to get more comfortable in my techniques.
