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10 Wood Working Projects For Beginners

by Jason Kelly
Jason Kelly

Ever since he was a child, Jason has loved repairing, building and creating things. Growing up, he spent all his free time carving intricate woodcraft pieces that soon caught the eye of neighbours and friends. Before he knew it, Jason turned his hobby into a job, earning an income from being his hometowns handyman. Many years have passed since then but Jason’s enthusiasm for woodwork remains the same. He can usually be found in his workshop, crafting furniture or restoring old treasures.

Last Updated: March 25, 2021

Wood is a wonderful substance; you can manipulate it into any number of different designs and arrangements, even if you have no prior experience with woodwork. Here are ten things to get you started. Once you’ve mastered them, the principles you’ve learned will help you to make any number of other things, and even to pass these skills onto a loved one.

Cutting plank

A Box

No, it’s not a joke. A wooden box. It is essentially the basic design which will help you to make all the other things you’re ever likely to make with wood. Whether you end up using a circular saw, cordless drill, clamps, or belt sanders you first have to learn the art of measuring, sawing, nailing perfectly proportioned rectangular pieces of wood together at right angles. If you manage to master the humble box then you’re well on your way to becoming more accomplished at other woodworking projects.

A Bird Feeder

So, you’ve mastered the humble box. A bird feeder has box-like properties, and the techniques you’ve used in making a box will help you to make this. You will need a table saw, circular saw (or miter saw), and some kind of drill. You need to create a roof and allowing the rightly proportioned aperture which will help birds and only birds. Best of all, you get to hang it up in your garden and watch from the window as many birds enjoy the fruits, (or should that be grains!) of your labors.

A Shelf . . . or Two

A simple shelf might seem like an easier task than a bird feeder. However, you are now no longer just attending to the wood itself but to the wall as well. Thus, you’ll need a table saw, a band saw, and the relevant equipment which will affix the wooden shelf to the concrete or plasterboard wall. Once you get it all into space, extra shelving will come in extremely handy. You can never have enough of them.

Working on a wood project? Check out our reviews of the best chisel sets, hammers and woodwork bench vises.

A Bookcase

A bookcase is even more useful than a shelf. It is essentially a bunch of shelves within an overall frame; a stand-alone piece of furniture which is both aesthetically pleasing in your room but a very functional item. You can select oak, pine, beech or even mango wood, and will need a miter saw and either a jigsaw or bandsaw. It will be very satisfying once it’s done and is likely something you’ll be using all the time, not just for books but for a whole range of other things.

A Wine Rack Tower

You’ll need quite the list of tools for this job, but you’ll feel so satisfied and can celebrate with a glass of wine! You’ll need a table saw, radial arm saw, electric drill, speed square, tape measure, whole range of screws and a few other bits and bobs. You’ll also need to decide on which wood – cedar, mahogany, pine or other. The major challenge is the many precise and fiddly measurements, as well as cutting the many divots, arcs and slots.

Wine rack

Some Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors are a great addition to your kitchen, either when replacing older, less attractive doors or to start from scratch in a kitchen re-modelling project. During this project you will be learning how to master your table saw and even cutting cove panel doors which look fantastic. The varnishing and polishing will be the finishing touch.

A Coffee Table

Making a coffee table can become a labor of love. You’ll learn about cross lap joints and will be tempted to combine two different woods together, or maybe even affix a glass counter on top. When friends come round, it won’t be the magazine or books on the coffee table, or even the coffee they’ll be talking about, but the table your table, made by you.

A Planter Box

These have become very popular in recent years, as people have less time to engage in fully-fledged gardening and growing projects but still want to plant something. You’ll still need a range of tools to get the job done and will also be wanting to paint the planter box when it’s finished because of it being exposed to outdoor elements the whole year round.

A Small Box

It’s actually harder to make smaller things; measurements have to be absolutely spot on and your hand-eye coordination with your table saw will need to be razor-sharp. This will be a lovely gift for a loved one, into which they can store anything small – jewellery, knick-knacks, coins, or whatever else they want.

Wood working

A Picture Frame Desk Lamp

This idea is a brilliant one, in terms of lighting up your desk space or just as a decorative feature in your living room. It’s relatively easy to accomplish, due to its few joining parts. The added feature of LED lighting (remote-controlled, if you want) looks spectacular, especially throughout the evening.

Here are just some initial ideas, then. You will surely be able to come up with many more, so that you’re harnessing the nature beauty of this wonderful substance – wood.

Sources:

  1. Easy to Build WINE RACK – Instructables
  2. 31 Indoor Woodworking Projects to Do This Winter – Family Handyman
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