by Stephen | Jan 7, 2020 | Woodworking Projects
If you’re aspiring to become a professional woodworker and want to make stunning pieces of furniture, you should get your hands on the best woodworking magazines for woodworkers. Take a walk around a woodcarving event or any craft show, and you’d see so many artistic woodwork that will make you wonder how they ever managed to get such wonderful ideas. They have years of experience behind them, and most of them have spent a lifetime figuring out the perfect designs and honing their craft. So, how can you develop your woodworking skill or talent? You’ll need to find the most popular woodworking magazines around and go through the literature to unearth a goldmine of tips and tricks that will help you master the art of woodcarving. We’ve done the hard part for you by highlighting 5 of the best woodworking magazines and have reviewed them, to help you find the best one. Here they are:
1. Popular Woodworking Magazine – Kindle Edition
Our list is headed by the Popular Woodworking Magazine, which provides you with an extensive range of great tips and information regarding everything woodworking. You can download the kindle edition on your smartphone or iPad and find a plethora of information about woodworking. The plus is that it is extremely affordable and offers you with fundamental and comprehensive knowledge about wood craftsmanship. The magazine focuses on making readers mindful, independent, and competent about their work-space and it is tested for quality by past woodworkers, readers, and that staff drafting the content.
Pros:
- Highly illustrated
- Most affordable magazine available for download
- Available for easy referencing
- Can be read offline
- Fills gaps in your knowledge database
Cons:
- Requires some expertise for the information to be read
- Can only be accessed through smartphones and laptops
- Isn’t available for people without internet access
2. Great Book of Woodworking Tips – Over 650 Ingenious Workshop Tips
For those of you, who are looking to sharpen their woodworking skills, this is the magazine to read. It not only teaches you how to draw, rout, saw, glue, clamp, join, and finish woodworks but offers a hands-on and comprehensive approach towards woodworking. This fine woodworking magazine offers you 650 ingenious workshop tips that cover every task you may have, ensuring you won’t need to look anywhere else to hone and improve your woodworking skills. The magazine is a great Do-It-Yourself reference book and is clearly illustrated with legible prints that are easy to read. The labels, illustrations, and prints are placed appropriately throughout the magazine, and you won’t find it difficult to find the content you’re looking for.
Pros:
- Hardcover copy that ensures durability
- All content is vouched by professional editors
- Has excellent illustrations and photography
Cons:
- Costs more than downloaded versions
- Isn’t easily accessible
- Needs maintenance and a great deal of care
3. The Complete Manual of Woodworking – A Detailed Guide to Design
For those of you with professional carpentry skills, you don’t have any room to gamble, as everything must be done perfectly. That can only happen if you have access to a professional woodworking magazine, and that exactly what this fine woodworking magazine offers. This book doesn’t require you to have a special instructor to help you out, and the discussions, illustrations, and choice of words are very straightforward. Anyone can easily comprehend the information without any confusions and beginners will get greater insight into different aspects of woodworking. It will teach you about choosing different tools with detailed explanations on every woodworking technique and will also teach you how to bind, fasten, and laminate wood. The magazine is heavily illustrated with visual explanations of various procedures, steps, and concepts.
Pros:
- Doesn’t wear out easily
- Negates the need for other woodworking books
- Covers entire field of carpentry and woodwork
- Great for beginners in the field of carpentry
Cons:
- Has some obsolete pieces of information
- Only available in the paperback version
- Takes a lot of time to flip through all the pages
4. Woodworker’s Journal – The Print Magazine
If you’re a woodworking professional whose entire life revolves around carpentry, you would want access to a comprehensive book for woodworking and carpentry. Woodworker’s Journal is designed to walk you through different levels of carpentry from beginner to expert. The magazine shares a comprehensive guide of different levels of woodworking, and all the techniques are displayed accurately and in a detailed step-by-step format. There are also numerous illustrations, photos, and diagrams of different woodworks with the entire magazine divided into departments that are about exclusive topics.
Pros:
- Doesn’t require additional teaching skills
- Comes with free project suggestions
- Offers great insights and knowledge
- Eliminates all types of confusions
Cons:
- Is an expensive magazine
- Was revised a long time ago so may not have the latest information
5. Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Print Magazine
If you want to improve your woodworking and woodcarving skills, you should get a magazine that offers you the right guidance. There’s no other magazine better at it than this one, and it even contains various illustrations and how-to tips for greater outcomes. It’s relevant for every skill level and is a handy magazine that is going to be useful for your course. There are handy tutorials throughout the magazine that are designed to improve your overall expertise and knowledge base substantially. The magazine is also affordable and shares easy tutorials and patterns that will have a considerable effect on your woodworking skills.
Pros:
- Simple in language and scope
- Contains references to other great sources
- Generated by experienced researchers
- Great for starts and professionals alike
- Offers great knowledge and insight into woodworking
Cons:
- Is heavy to carry around
- Can’t be referenced because of the print format
Final Word
So, there you have it. These woodworking magazines that we have reviewed are all relevant and great for helping you learn and improve your woodworking and woodcarving skills. They will help you sharpen your skills and greatly expand your knowledge base about woodworking techniques and tools. If you’re thinking about taking up carpentry professionally or want to gift one to a friend who is learning about woodworking and carpentry, these five woodworking magazines are the best options in 2020.
by Stephen | Nov 7, 2019 | Adirondack Chair, Woodworking Projects
An adirondack chair located on the patio or in the garden is one of the best places in a home to relax after a long, tiring day. One of the most relaxing chairs that you will find for your home today, the adirondack chair has a classic wooden look and graceful curves that make it super comfortable.
In addition to the above, adirondack chairs are portable, making it easy to remove them from sight when not needed. Now, you have two options to get access to these extremely comfortable chairs; you can either buy these chairs or build them at home. While the first option is definitely more convenient, you can save a lot of money by opting for a DIY adirondack chair. However, it is important for you to learn how to build an adirondack chair.
The easiest way to do that is by referring to the best plans. By going through these plans, you will learn how to make adirondack chairs. So, without wasting any further time, let’s get to the best adirondack chair plans that you can use to build the chair.
1. The Lowes Challenge Chair
The Lowes Challenge Chair is a great DIY option for adirondack chair if you want to build a comfortable chair where you can relax. To build this chair, you will need to follow the plan that includes all the material and instructions for building the Lowes Challenge Chair.
The Supplies You Will Need
- 60 deck screws sized 1 1/2″
- A set of sockets
- 10 carriage bolts with washers and flat nuts sized 2″ X 1/4″
- Level
- 2 pressure treated lumber sized 12 ft 1 X 6
- 1 treated lumber sized 10 ft 1 x 4
- 1 treated lumber sized 8 ft 1 x 4
Step-by-Step Instructions to Build An Adirondack Chair
- Using the carriage bolts, join together the legs
- After assembling the legs, screw the cross piece for the front between the legs in the front
- Screw the back legs and bottom support together
- Screw the supports for the arm to each leg in the front
- To ensure the wood does not split, drill pilot holes
- Screw on the chair’s arms onto the legs at the front
- Drill pilot holes once more and follow this up with a bolt on the support piece for the back seat
- Screw the middle piece for the back onto the chair. Before attaching, ensure that both the vertical back piece and the arms are leveled
- Screw the remaining two pieces for the back. Ensure that the arms are leveled and the slates are evenly spaced
- Screw on the pieces that remain evenly
- Screw on seat slats to complete the job
2. The Pallet Wood Chair
The Pallet Wood Chair is one of the most comfortable and inexpensive DIY adirondack chairs and can be the perfect place in your home to relax. If you want to build this chair, then follow these instructions for building the Pallet Wood Chair.
The Supplies and Tools You Will Need
- Two 30” square full pallets
- Multiple sandpaper grits
- Four 12” long support boards
- Screws of 3-inches
- 2-inch screws
- Drill bit of size 1/8-inch
- Four 24” long pallet support boards for the legs
- Three 35 1/2 “support boards
- 4-inch screws
- Tape measure
- Palm sander (optional)
- Reciprocating saw
- Carpenter’s square
- Handsaw or miter
- Drill without cord
- Mallet or hammer
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Using the reciprocating saw, measure, and cut the full pallets if needed
- Cut the four support boards using a handsaw or miter
- Insert the cut support boards into the pallet slat’s open sides. This is slat that you will utilize for the seat. To put the support boards into place, you may need to use a mallet or hammer
- Attach the support pieces using the 2” screws and the cordless drill. Drill the slats of the pallets into every new piece. This should be two screws per piece from both the pallet’s top and bottom. Using the 1/8” drill, drill pilot holes to ensure the platter slats do not split. However, doing this is not necessary.
- Cut the four pallet support boards by using a handsaw or miter. These boards will be used for the legs
- Measure and mark 15” up the inside of your leg support boards. Use a tape measure to do this
- Put the two legs on the ground about thirty inches apart. The mark should face one another and should line up the pallet’s top for the seat with your marks. Line up the pallet’s each side with each leg’s inner edge. End by comparing the square with your carpenter’s square
3. Simple Adirondack Chair
One of the easiest ways to start learning about this chair is by building one that is simple to make. Following is the list of supplies and instructions to build this adirondack chair.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Wood
- Trigger clamps
- Sawhorse
- Electric drill
- Jig saw (porter cable and Ryobi)
- Orbital sander
- Spindle sander
- Scroll saw
- Screws
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start by positioning the wood on a sawhorse. This is to ensure that you don’t have to bend over while working constantly
- Lightly spray an adhesive spray over the wood
- Using the cordless jigsaw, cut the pattern for the adirondack chair
- Once you have cut the pattern, use an electric drill, clamps, and screws to join together the different wood pieces to build the chair
These are some of the best ways to build an adirondack chair for Patio and Yards. By going through the above-mentioned printable adirondack chair plans, you will be able to learn how to make adirondack chairs. You can always look for free plans to get started anytime.
by Stephen | Oct 31, 2019 | For Christmas, Woodworking Projects
With the holiday season just around the corner, everyone has started to think about what they can gift their near-and-dear ones for Christmas. Different people have different woodworking project ideas for Christmas gifts. Some are considering gifting expensive phones, bags, watches, and the like to their family and friends for Christmas. Then, there is another segment of people who believe in gifting a prized personal belonging to show how much they care about the person receiving the gift.
However, our article concerns the category of people who love the idea of handcrafted Christmas gifts and want to make Christmas a special event for others and themselves. Such folks create gifts from their own hands rather than picking up an item from a gift shop shelf. This is because they strongly believe that DIY Christmas gifts hold more sentimental value than gifts picked up from the store.
Items made via woodworking projects are considered among the best DIY gift ideas by such folks. If you fall into this category of people or are inspired by their idea of meaningful Christmas gifts, then check out these.
Easy DIY Christmas Woodworking Ideas and Try Them at Home :-
1. Tapered Salt-and-Pepper Shakers
Salt-and-pepper shakers are used in every household; therefore, gifting tapered ones that you’ve made from your own hands can never be a bad thing. Following are the items you will need for this DIY Christmas woodworking project:
- 32″ x 40″ architectural butter board
- Drill
- Table saw
- Miter saw
- Random orbital sander
- Tapering jig
Once you have gathered the above-mentioned items, you can start building the tapered salt-and-pepper shakers. Following are the instructions for completing this woodworking project:
- Start by cutting the parts.
- Cut two parts for the front/back of shakers in dimensions of ½” T ×1-3/4” W×6” L.
- Cut two parts for the sides in dimensions of ½” T ×3/4” W×6” L.
- Cut two parts for the top/bottom in dimensions of ¼” T×1-3/4” W×1-3/4” L.
- Cut one part for base centering block in dimensions of ½” T× 3/4” W×3/4” W.
- Assemble the body pieces using glue.
- Trim an end square and cut the other at 15 degrees.
- Place the base-centering block into the body.
- Assemble the base using some glue.
- Press the pieces together using a pencil. Insert the pencil through the shaker’s body and press the pieces together by using the eraser. Hold for a few minutes to allow the glue to settle in.
- Drill the holes and attach the top.
- Draw the tapers.
- Cut the tapers.
- Install the magnetic catch mechanism.
- Add finishing touches to the shaker.
2. DIY Photo Stocking Hangers
One of the most popular woodworking Christmas gift ideas is DIY photo stocking hangers project for Christmas. This DIY Christmas gift will add a vintage feel to any room it’s kept in.
All you’ll need for this DIY woodworking project are a few stocking hangers and one big board. All this will cost you no more than a few dollars. Once you have these items in place, you can create the DIY photo stocking hangers by following the instructions below:
- Buy one 8” 2×6
- For each stock hanger, cut a 4-inch and 6-inch piece from the 2×6 board
- Use the 4-inch piece as the stocking’s base and 6-inch piece as the top
- Using a Kreg jig, drill two 1 1/2-inch pocket holes in each 6-inch piece
- Using Kreg pocket hole screws, attach the top to the base
- Using a foam brush, wipe on the piece, and apply a coat of wood stain. Allow it to dry
- Distress the wood all over using a Ryobi Corner Cat Sander once it is dry
- Hang the stocking using oil rubbed bronze hooks
- Hot glue metal clips to each stock hanger’s top center
- Attach the pictures
3. DIY Birch Vase
Another great idea for a Christmas gift is a DIY vase made from birch wood. Not only is this DIY Christmas gift easy to make, but it also allows you to experiment with different Christmas woodworking patterns. The reason why a DIY birch vase is a great gift for Christmas is that it adds a natural element to the indoors. Those who will receive your handmade wooden vase will surely appreciate your efforts as well as the craft that went into its making.
The items that you will need for this DIY woodworking project include a log, some sandpaper, a saw, and a tri-fruit drill bit. Following are the instructions for building the DIY Birch Vase:
- Using a saw, cut down a piece of the log/branch to the desired height
- Drill a wide hole to a preferred depth using the drill bit
- To give the top a beautiful and smooth finish, sand it
4. Turned Wood Lidded Box
This is one of the best DIY Christmas gifts to give to close relations like your parents or your spouse. Small yet elegant, the turned wood lidded box can be built without much expense. The only items that you will need for completing this DIY woodworking project are a four-jaw chuck, a 1/4 parting tool, a half-round scraper, a spindle gauge, and a 1/16 parting tool.
Making this Christmas gift is not very time-consuming. You can make a turned wood lidded box within one day. Upon completion, you can gift the fruits of your labor to your parents or partner, and they can use it for keeping candies or other small edibles. Following are the complete instructions for building this DIY Christmas gift:
- Start by preparing the blank
- Using a roughing gouge, change the square block into a round cylinder
- Using ¼” parting tool, cut a tenon on the cylinder’s two ends
- To fit a four-jaw chuck, size the tenons
- After taking out the blank from the lathe, use a four-jaw chuck to replace the drive center. The stock should be mounted in the chuck
- Using a 1/16” parting tool, separate the upper lid from the base
- Turn the inside of the lid using a spindle gouge
- Using a divider, fit the lid to the base
- Using a spindle gouge, shape the whole box
- Using the 1/4” parting tool, fit the base opening by turning on a tenon
- Using a detail gouge, finish the bottom
- The turned wood lidded box is ready
Christmas is not too far away. You can surprise and delight your friends, family, and other loved ones on Christmas day by gifting them items that you’ve handmade, especially for them. To get printable woodworking project plans, visit here!
by Stephen | Oct 20, 2019 | Wood Cabin Plans
Not all cabins are created equal. Instead, the function and aesthetic appeal of a cabin will depend on its design and how it is built. Cabins can be built in a wide variety of styles, sizes, shapes, and configurations. It is up to you to decide which style, size, shape or configuration is best suited to your space and would perfectly fit within your time and money constraints.
When it comes to cabins, the best choice would be to go the DIY route simply because this allows you to create a cabin affordably and in a customized way. In other words, DIY cabin plans allow you to add your personal touch to a cabin and build it without having to spend too much money on the construction. Here, we will provide you with 8 great DIY wood cabin plans that are easy and affordable to build. You can choose one or multiple based on your needs, preferences, and the space available to you.
1. Studio-Sized Cabin
If you’re looking to build a compact yet eye-catching cabin, then you can’t go wrong with the studio-sized cabin. A cabin with all the charm of a classic house, the studio-sized cabin can be a great weekend or summer getaway for all those people who like to live a solitary life or want to spend some time in peace away from their family or the mad city rush. The tools list, materials, and instructions for building the studio-sized cabin are available on The Classic Archives.
2. The Tiny Classic Cabin
A cabin that looks stunning on the outside, the tiny classic cabin will interest anyone fond of tiny house living. Without packing a ton of space, this tiny DIY cabin offers a classic look. From our understanding, living in a tiny cabin isn’t a decision you make in haste. However, if you’ve made sure to do your research on it, then the tiny classic cabin may well be the cabin plan that you’ve been searching for. You can find the tools list, materials, and instructions for building this DIY cabin on The Classic Archives.
3. Alaskan Round Log Cabin
Contrary to what the name suggests, the Alaskan round log cabin isn’t a cabin designed specifically for use in Alaska. Instead, you can build for any place in the United States or the world for that matter. Made from logs, the Alaskan round log cabin has that classic look often associated with wood cabins. Additionally, the logs ensure that you will need nothing besides the cabin to protect yourself from the chilly weather during winters. This is because logs are known to be great insulators.
This Alaskan styled rustic log cabin is built using big, thick logs. This gives the cabin a classic look. If you’re one of those people who love anything that reminds them of Alaska, then the log cabin will be a great choice of a cabin for you. The big rounded logs of this DIY cabin ensure a classic look and a lot of warmth inside. Overall, the round log cabin can be a great option if you want to build a cabin to stay cozy during the winters. You can find the tools list, materials, and instructions for building an Alaskan round log cabin on Alaska Antler Works.
4. Multi-Roomed Small Cabin
Although it is an extremely small cabin, the multi-roomed small cabin can a great choice of cabin. Measuring only four hundred square feet, this small-sized DIY cabin is appropriately compartmentalized to give residents the feel of a proper home. Additionally, the cabin features more than one room and can accommodate several people. The complete plan for building the multi-roomed small cabin is available on Cabin Plans 123.
5. Little House in the Woods
Although it is not the biggest cabin you can build, the little house in the woods is something you can construct with affordably and with things that are easily available to you at you home or the local hardware store. This isn’t the fanciest cabin that you can build. However, it will provide you with a place where you can stay safe from thunderstorms or other harsh weather conditions. The tool list, materials, and instructions for building the little house in the woods can be found on Instructables.
6. The Cottage Life Bunkie From Oxbow Timber
Perfect for a family of four, the cottage life Bunkie from Oxbow Timber is a compact cabin but big enough to accommodate two adults and two kids at the same time. However, this cabin does not feature a kitchen or bathroom which are a part of some of the other cabin plans. The complete plan with the tools list, materials, and drawings are available on Timber Mart.
7. The Norwegian Cabin
An extremely small cabin that takes inspiration from the Norwegian ‘stabbur’, the Norwegian cabin measures 10×13 foot and requires a limited number of logs to be built. For those of you who don’t know a ‘stabbur’ means, it refers to a storehouse built on stilts. Featuring a ground floor with an open plan room, the Norwegian cabin has a bedroom in the loft space. The tools list, materials, and instructions for building this DIY cabin can be found on Mother Earth News.
8. The Nuclear Family Cabin
Ideal for those who prefer living alone or as a nuclear family unit, the nuclear family cabin is bigger in size than many other cabin plans on our list. It is the right size to feel cozy at home and big enough to accommodate a family of three. You can find the tools list, materials, and instructions for building the nuclear family cabin on Mother Earth News.
Using these 8 DIY wood cabin plans, you can easily and affordably build a great wood cabin to live in.
by Stephen | Oct 11, 2019 | Outdoor Sofa Plans
It’s summertime—the best time to be outdoors. One way to make your time outdoors during summer a relaxing treat is adding a sofa or two to your home’s deck or patio. With the weather outside bright and sunny, it’s time to make the most of the conditions and build yourself a DIY outdoor sofa.
With the right sofa, you can transform your deck or patio into a place where you and your family would love to spend your summers. The good news is that it is easy to build outdoor sofas for your deck or patio as they are many great DIY outdoor sofa plans available to you. Although the sofas in these plans are easy to build, they will appear high-end on your deck or patio.
Additionally, these sofa plans are the perfect opportunity for you to build your own modern outdoor sofa. For your benefit, we have compiled a list of DIY outdoor sofa plans available online to help you build a great outdoor sofa for your deck or patio. So, without wasting any more time, let’s get into some great sofa plans for your outdoors.
1. Ana White’s 2×4 Outdoor Couch
An outdoor sofa that can be built in quick time, Ana White’s 2×4 outdoor couch is fairly simple to build. Made of cedar, this 2×4 outdoor sofa is resistant to harsh weather and can sustain all the jumping by your kids on it. This same sofa comes in a DIY outdoor sectional version as well if that is what you want. You can all the information and instructions for building this sofa on Ryobi Nation.
2. DIY Outdoor Sofas from Home Made by Carmona
The DIY outdoor sofa from ‘Home Made by Carmona’ is one of our personal favorites. Easy to follow outdoor furniture plans, these DIY outdoor sofas have a high-end look. This high-end or sophisticated look comes from the dark stain painted on it.
In every sense of the work, this is an extremely modern DIY outdoor sofa and you will miss out something amazing if you don’t try to build it. You can find photos of the finished sofa, tools list, and instructions for building on Home Made by Carmona.
3. Reed Sofa by Design Confidential
One of the best things about this outdoor sofa is its angled back. Featuring a slanted back support, the Reed Sofa by Design Confidential is extremely comfortable to rest on which makes it great for lounging. Additionally, pillows are prevented from falling down by the slats on this sofa’s arms. This makes the Reed Sofa a great outdoor piece of furniture to take your afternoon nap on. You can find tools, material list, instructions for building, and more on The Design Confidential.
4. DIY Outdoor Sectionals from Remodelaholic
Many homeowners do not consider plywood as a great choice of material for their DIY outdoor sofa. The DIY outdoor sectional sofa from Remodelaholic forces them to rethink this. This is because this DIY outdoor sectional sofa looks great on your deck or patio. If you have a family of four or more, then the DIY outdoor sectional sofa from Remodelaholic can be a great addition to your outdoors for relaxing and entertainment purposes. You can find the tools list, materials, and instructions for building this DIY outdoor sofa on Remodelaholic.
5. Rogue Engineer’s Planked Outdoor Loveseat
Made out of planked wood, this outdoor sofa from Rogue Engineer is a great addition to any patio or deck. Additionally, it can be stretched out to a full-sized outdoor sofa. The tool list and instructions for building this DIY planked outdoor love-seat can be found on Rogue Engineer.
6. DIY Outdoor Chairs from Not Just a Housewife
If you are looking to build some great sofa chairs, then no further than DIY outdoor chairs from ‘Not Just a Housewife’. The best thing about this DIY outdoor sofa plan is that step-by-step instructions for building it are provided with pictures. This makes it extremely easy to complete each step involved in building the DIY outdoor sofa chair. Great sofa chairs for your patio, the DIY outdoor chairs from ‘Not Just a Housewife’ will make great sofa chairs for your outdoor dining table.
7. More Like Home’s Modular DIY Sectional Outdoor Sofa
This sofa would be the perfect choice if you are looking to go the sectional route for your deck or patio. An adjustable outdoor sofa, the DIY sectional outdoor sofa from ‘More Like Home’ can be easily made bigger by adding more sections to it. Additionally, you can create space for guests by using the armless sections as additional chairs. The tool list, materials, and instructions for building this sofa are available on More Like Home.
8. DIY Outdoor Couches from Honeybear Lane
If you’re looking for a stunning outdoor sofa that is easy and affordable to build, then the DIY outdoor couch from ‘Honeybear Lane’ is a great choice. DIY outdoor sofas that look attractive when finished, Honeybear Lane’s outdoor couches can be built easily using the step-by-step instructions provided with photos. You can find these step-by-step instructions and the tools list on Honeybear Lane.
9. Ana White’s Weatherly Outdoor Sofa
The final DIY outdoor sofa plan on our list is Ana White’s weatherly outdoor sofa. Stylish outdoors sofas, the weatherly outdoor sofa from ‘Ana White’ is big enough to easily accommodate three adults. It will also be perfect for a family of four which includes young kids. In short, this outdoor sofa is both aesthetically and functionally pleasing. You can find the tool list and instructions to build this outdoor sofa on Ana White.
There you have it— 9 DIY outdoor sofa plans for your deck or patio that can enhance the appeal of your outdoors and home.
