by Stephen | Jun 16, 2020 | Woodworking Projects
Wood is one of the most versatile materials that you can use to create absolutely anything from scratch. If you have a newly discovered an interest in woodworking and are looking for things to build with wood, look no further! We have listed downs some of the easiest and most exciting DIY wood projects that you can easily do at home.
From wooden shelves and tables to mug holders and picture frames, you can make so many innovative products and put your woodworking hobbies to good use!
1. Wooden Wall Shelf
A wall shelf is an easy DIY wood project for a beginner that doesn’t require too much time or effort. It’s also very fun to make considering how you can add your own spin to it by creating the shape of your choice, painting it your favorite color, and other similar details.
The only difficult step in creating a wooden wall shelf is cutting the pallet according to the style and size that you have decided for the shelf. Other than that, the remaining steps in this project only include adding the finishing touches after screwing together different, cut-up pieces of wood.
The things that you will require for this project are:
- Pallet
- Paint and stain
- Paintbrush
- Sandpaper
- Drill
- Handsaw
- Wooden screws
- Orbital sander
2. Mug Holder
If you are an avid tea or coffee drinker, you will particularly enjoy creating a wooden mug holder at home from scratch. Apart from that, mug holders are also a necessity for any kitchen, so you might as well just make a cute one at home. The best part about this project is that you can personalize it as much as you want by giving it your choice of shape, color, and style.
The things you will need to build a wooden mug holder are:
- Wooden board
- Hooks
- Knobs
- Drill
- Screws
- Paint
- Glue gun
- A wooden dowel
3. Flower Vase Holder
Ready-made flower vases are often sold at such expensive prices, and a lot of the time, these vases are super expensive. Lucky for you, though, you can easily make one at home with the help of wood! A bunch of fresh flowers presented in a wooden vase holder can truly light up any space of your home with some simple and basic woodwork. However, make sure to place the flowers first in a clear glass bottle and then place that in the wooden holder. It is also one of the most creative and fascinating things to build with wood.
You will need the following items to make a wooden flower vase holder:
- Small glass bottles
- Pallet wood
- Handsaw
- Drill
- Compass
- Sandpaper
- Epoxy glue
4. Book Stand
All the book lovers who often struggle with finding a place to rest their books can finally heave a sigh of relief. You can easily build a wooden book stand right at home! Not only is it a simple and easy DIY project, but it also allows you to really express your creativity. The best choice of wood here is ‘oak’ because it’s beautiful and will help you create a super classy-looking book stand!
Make your own book stand with the help of the following things:
- Oakwood
- Band saw
- Power drill
- Sandpaper
- Pencil
- Hinges
- Shellac
5. Wooden Storage Boxes
One can never have enough storage boxes! One thing that can add to their usage and functionality is if they are made of wood! Wooden boxes are extremely durable and are able to protect all your major belongings. This is also one of the easiest things to build with wood as it doesn’t require too much of your time or effort. If you are a beginner, this woodworks furniture is a great first-time object that you can create with the help of some free woodworking plans.
You require the following items to build your wooden storage box:
- Wooden slabs
- Screws
- Wood glue
- Clamps
- Hand drill
- Hand sander
- Tape measure
- Saw
- Drill press
- Screwdriver
6. Chopping Board & Serving Tray
Put your woodworking hobbies to good use by creating a simple, but super functional 2-in-1 wooden chopping board and serving tray for your kitchen. It is also one of the simplest things to build and will take you only a couple of hours. Ideally, you should use maple and walnut to create this beautiful wooden object as these woods will help it look gorgeous when used as a chopping board or a serving tray.
This DIY wooden project requires the following items:
- Tape measure
- Dowels
- Walnut handle strips
- Maple boards
- Miter saw
- Jigsaw
- Cordless drill
- Drill bits
- Safety glasses
7. Simple Storage Drawer
Creating furniture is one of the best ways to put your skills to good use and create a wooden masterpiece for your home. You can easily build a simple, basic drawer at home without incorporating any complex designs or styles. Drawers are excellent storage spaces, and the best part is that you can create customized sizes and fit them anywhere you want.
Build a wooden drawer at home with the help of the following things:
- Wooden board
- Square dowel
- Wood screws
- Wood glue
- Miter saw
- Drill
- Nail gun
- Wood filler
- Framing square
8. Pen/Pencil Holder
Are you always losing or misplacing your stationery, especially your favorite pens and pencils?
Well, you won’t anymore because you can easily learn how to make a wooden pen-pencil holder at home without having to buy an expensive one from the store. You can also gift one to a friend and make them a customized holder, which will count as a great handmade gift as well as a thoughtful gesture.
To make one, you need:
- Scrapbook paper
- Wood pallet
- Drill
- Screws
- Sandpaper
- Drill and drive kit
- Paintbrush
- Paints
Final Takeaway
If woodworking thoroughly inspires you and you wish to make a career out of it, you can start by following free woodworking plans that you will easily find online. Go through them, understand them, and make the most out of them by creating beautiful wooden masterpieces right at home from scratch! Be it woodworks furniture or little wooden gifts for your friends, it is time to do something about your woodworking hobbies and excel at this craft!
by Stephen | Jun 1, 2020 | Woodworking on Amazon
Finding a woodworking vise can be confusing, given the plenty of choices out there. You can pick vises of different sizes based on the kind of projects you work with. A large one or something that comes with a larger area to hold your workpiece can provide a good grip. Here are the 5 best woodworking bench vise plans to check out-
- Eclipse Quick Release Woodworking Vise
You get this product in 7inch, 9inch, and 10inch variants. It lets you mount the workpiece rapidly and sports a user-friendly design. You get a hybrid design with the tall vise and normal vise in one. From a heavy-duty profile to easy release design, this one carries a host of benefits. Placing and removing the workpiece can, therefore, be easier than with most vises. Cast iron jaws make this a robust option in woodworking vise plans.
Pros
- Comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting
- Front stop adjustment for secure clamping
Cons
- IRWIN Woodworking Vise, 6-1/2-Inch
It is one of the easiest and also one of the most efficient vises for the price point. You can use this when you prefer mounting under the bench. The grip that the jaws offer can be secure and comfortable for most woodworking. The design of the vise also allows you to install wood cheeks if you prefer to use them with your projects. It works well for both light woodworking jobs and wood related hobby projects.
Pros
- For the features, it carries it is an affordable pick
- Easy installation
Cons
- Installing workpiece is slightly difficult
- Wilton – 78A, Pivot Jaw Woodworkers Vise – Rapid Acting (63144)
If you need a heavy-duty vise, this is one of the most versatile choices out there. With its robust build and plenty of customizable features, it can be useful even for commercial woodworking endeavors. There is a rapid-acting nut that simplifies your job. You can even work with irregular wood piece shapes using this vise. Besides a wide opening, you can also remove the jaw for convenience while mounting.
Pros
- Features a wide jaw opening
- Useful for large woodworking pieces
Cons
- Pony 27091 9-Inch by 7-Inch Medium Duty Woodworker's Vise
When you need something that is not too fragile but also not as expensive as a heavy-duty vise, this moderate duty vise comes as a handy choice. From small industrial projects to large hobby projects, this vise works consistently. It is a surface-mount design for workbenches. It is another vise that is easy to install to get you started. It is a well-made vise that can last for several years without trouble. You can use it with pieces of small and big.
Pros
- Steel dog is robust
- Wide opening capacity
Cons
- Guide rods are not precise on some
- QWERTOUR Rapid Acting Wood Working Vise, 9″, Blue
Another woodworking vise with a multifunctional design, this one is smooth in its operation. It can effortlessly improve the efficiency of your project. As an attractively priced design, it delivers quick release and all the essential features. It delivers a good clamping force through its intuitive design. There is also an end stop to increase the accuracy of mounting your wood piece. It comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting.
Pros
- Easy mount in· Designed with user safety as the core design
Cons
- Accuracy bogs down a bit in the lowest setting
Before you finalize your budget, be clear about the strengths of the vise. You should pick something that suits the projects. Both heavy duty and light vises are available easily. These all hold your woodworking piece securely while you work on it.
by Stephen | May 23, 2020 | Uncategorized
Woodworking is quite an art, and it requires a great deal of skills and expertise from your end. Although it can often be a little complex and challenging, one can’t deny that it is super fun, engaging, and exciting at the same time.
If you are particularly new to woodworking, there are many ways through which you can learn this craft, one of which is online courses and workshops.
If you search online, you will come across a plethora of woodworking courses and classes, most of which are super detailed and simple to follow. Along with that, free woodworking plans are also a plus to kick-start your woodworking journey.
To help you get started, here are 5 of the best online workshops available online.
1. WoodSkills
This is one of the best online platforms for learning the craft of woodworking, where you are provided with numerous woodworking plans, video lectures, and classes.
WoodSkills aims to provide you with a chance to learn woodworking from wherever you are, simply by tapping on your smartphone, laptop, or home computer. The classes and courses offered by this woodworking workshop are quite detailed and comprehensive, with step-by-step guides on using wood to create beautiful masterpieces.
Some of the numerous and unique learning experiences provided by this program include:
- How to use a variety of hand tools and power tools to cut and shape wood as effectively as they are supposed to be used
- How to create one-of-a-kind wooden pieces and objects and different ways to design them
- Ways to use power tools and hand tools together at the same time without compromising the efficiency or function of either of the two
- Learning different finishing techniques that help create showroom masterpieces
- The basics of veneering, vacuum veneering and how to re-saw veneers
- How to create and design woodworking jigs to help simplify and make the processes easy
The best part about platforms like WoodSkills is that every tutorial or online class that they offer are based on actual and real furniture-building expertise.
2. Skillshare
This is an American learning community that aims to cater to the masses by helping them learn different skills through educational and interactional videos. Among many other things, Skillshare offers great learning opportunities for all those young enthusiasts out there who wish to learn the art of woodworking and creating beautiful objects out of wood.
It offers a wide variety of online classes that have to do with different woodworking skills such as the basics of woodworking, making customized wooden gifts, setting up your own woodshop, how to carve letters in the wood, the use of different power and hand tools, and how to build simple wooden things, to name a few.
The basic skills that these online classes aim to teach you are:
- Being familiar with using different types of wood
- The requirement for setting up your own workspace
- Using different tools such as hammers, chisels, drills, planes, hand saws, etc
- The techniques of wood-joining
- Different forms of wood finishes
3. Woodworkers Guild of America
This is believed to be the ultimate go-to online resource for learning the basic and advanced techniques of woodworking. Woodworkers Guild of America (WWGOA) is an online platform that has been engaging passionate woodworkers, beginner or professional, to help them learn new skills and give a major boost to their wood-making talent.
Initially, this online community used to mail DVDs to woodworking enthusiasts, which contained all the relevant content about this craft. However, eventually, they started a new online channel with educational videos that were just a tap away.
Some of the many skills and experiences provided by this online platform include videos on cabinet making (cabinet doors and cabinet drawers), making different wooden furniture objects, using a variety of hand tools and power tools, working on extensive wood-making projects, and many other things like wood turning, wood joining, etc.
4. Bluprint
Bluprint is another online community that caters to all those ambitious and curious people who believe in the ‘power of creating.’ If you are passionate about woodworking, this is a great place for you to start and get access to numerous woodworking courses and tutorials.
It not only provides thousands of craft classes but also has so many online shopping deals or you.
It has a plethora of wood-making skills to teach you, which includes cabinet case instruction, drawers for cabinetry, woodturning essentials, basics of woodworking, handy inlay techniques, creating benches and boxes, techniques and tips on how to use a table saw and tenon joinery among many other things.
5. Common Woodworking
If you are fairly new to woodworking and are looking for the most common and basic woodworking classes, Common Woodworking is the right place for you. This online woodworking community targets all those beginners who have a great interest in this exciting craft, but aren’t really sure where or how to begin.
The main aim of this workshop is to help you attain access to the basic woodworking knowledge and skills that allow you to easily transition from the beginner’s level to the advanced woodworking projects.
Some common and popular courses that you’ll find at Common Woodworking include:
- How to make a dovetail
- Making a hanging wall shelf
- Making spoons and spatulas
- The technique of making tenon and mortise
- How to make a chopping board
On top of this, it also has a list of exercises for you to carry out on your own, such as making angled cuts, setting hinges, bench plane setup, using registration faces, and spoke-shave controls, to name a few.
Final Word
The above list of online tools and workshops isn’t exclusive, and there are many more that you will find online; however, these 5 are excellent for beginners and professionals alike. Whether you are completely new to the art of woodworking or you are quite a pro at it, these online classes and tutorials will you a great deal to polish your skills and perhaps even make a career out of woodworking!
Additionally, along with these online courses, you can also seek help from free woodworking plans that you will also find online. These will help you learn more about this craft by acquiring new skills and discovering even better woodworking techniques!
by Stephen | Apr 17, 2020 | Woodworking Projects
Woodworking initially started off as a profession that usually involved professional woodworkers and carpenters; however, over time, it has transformed into a very fun and exciting hobby.
Here are some basics of woodworking that you need to know if you wish to learn the art and make some money from it!
What is Woodworking?
As the name suggests, woodworking is the use of wood to make different items. It is defined as the skill of constructing and creating a variety of functional and innovative products with the help of different types of woods.
So many people nowadays are involved in woodworking projects and are creating some truly unique and creative products entirely made out of wood. These items include frames, garden sheds, coffee tables, dog houses, decorative pieces, and rustic candle holders, to name a few.
The main processes involved in woodworking are mainly cutting shaping, joining, and painting the wood according to the product or item that is being made.
The basic concepts of woodworking are quite simple, and you can learn these concepts from numerous woodworking videos online. You will also find many woodworking books that will guide you through the basics of this amazing craft. However, the main difficulty or challenge arises when it comes to putting all those skills and basic concepts to use to create the perfect wooden item from scratch.
Types of Woodworking
You might have an idea of how woodworking works or what it entails, but you need to know that woodworking has many different types. The variations are present because people approach this craft differently, and most of them have their own methods and ways to work with wood.
In order to learn woodworking, you need to be familiar with the different basic types that exist.
Take a look at some of the most common types of woodworking.
Woodcarving
This is a form of woodworking that involves the use of a cutting tool to create articulate wooden objects such as figures, sculptures, etc. It is considered to be one of the oldest types of art and gained massive popularity from the period of early humans, continuing all the way to modern time.
Woodturning
The main characteristic of woodturning is the use of handheld tools and a lathe to create diverse wooden objects. Just like woodcarving, this craft also has a long history where the use of lathe initially began in ancient Rome and Egypt. One major feature of wood turning that distinguishes it from other types of woodworking is the fact that a stationary tool is used to cut and shape constantly-moving wood. This craft requires a lot of time, effort, and patience, which is why woodturning can prove to be quite an expensive skill to master.
Whittling
This type of woodworking is mainly characterized by the use of a knife in order to carve beautiful, raw pieces of wood. Whittling is often confused with carving; however, there’s a major difference between the two. Whittling only involves the use of knife while carving includes mallets, chisels, and gouges. Whittling produces some of the most intricate artistic creations that also require a significant amount of time and energy, given how it just employs the use of a knife.
Scroll-Sawing
As the name suggests, this type of woodworking involves the use of a machine called a ‘scroll saw.’ It comes with really thin blades that are used on relative thinner pieces of wood to create delicate curves and cuts. Scroll sawing can be used for a variety of objects, ranging from plaque styles to elaborate and detailed 3D structures.
Wooden Construction
From woodworks furniture to functional wooden boxes, everything construction-related comes under this form of woodworking. Some common items include sofas, kitchen cabinetry, recliners, wardrobes, and band saws, to name a few. It further also includes repair and restoration processes that require one to be aware of the construction methods along with knowledge on how to salvage damaged wooden items.
The best way to learn the different forms is to resort to woodworking books or woodworking videos online because they are extremely detailed and often provide you with a step-by-step guide.
Basic Skills Required for Woodworking
There are numerous skills you’ll be taught while learning the art of woodworking that you must hold on to if you are to thrive in this particular field of work.
Every woodworker, whether a beginner or professional, is supposed to possess the following basic woodworking skills.
Understanding Different Types of Wood
From softwoods to hardwoods, there is a whole variety of different types of wood, each of which features unique properties and behaves differently.
As a beginner, you need to understand how the different wood types work and behave throughout the woodworking process. For instance, cedar is a type of softwood that is popularly used for outdoor wooden projects such as decks because it has the ability to survive in moist environments without rotting. On the other hand, white oak is a type of hardwood that is generally preferred over red oak when it comes to making furniture because the former has a more attractive figure. These are the little things and details that you need to know when learning the art of woodworking.
Using Different Tools
One of the most challenging yet fascinating aspects of woodworking is the use of so many different tools, each which serves a distinctive function. Some commonly used tools include a power drill, surface planer, table saw, band saw, hand planer, and many others. It is essential for you to familiarize yourself with every single tool, how to use it, its main features, and when to use the tool.
Drilling Holes
This is one of the most basic and important woodworking skills and is a part of most DIY projects. While the main act of drilling is fairly easy, there are small tricks and tips that you should know to do a flawless job.
The Art of Finishing
Creating a wooden object from scratch is one thing, but giving it a professional look and protecting its build quality is a whole other thing. This is referred to as the ‘art of finishing’ and basically involves using different materials to add the final few touches to “finish” the object. For instance, latex paint is a common material that is applied to numerous wooden objects to complete the look.
You can download free woodworking plans on your computer for starters and follow them to get the basic idea of how woodworking actually works.
Final Word
If you wish to learn woodworking, you have several options available, such as woodworking books or videos that offer a complete step-by-step guide to master this craft. There are also free wood working plans online that you can use to kick-start your woodworking journey!
by Stephen | Apr 5, 2020 | for Beginners
The most common problem associated with woodworking projects is this….They are tough. They are not beginner friendly and they sure don’t convert well when I do it at my garage.
Let us address all of these issues in this beginner woodworking project guide where we will not only be talking about some easy to do wood projects for beginners but will also give you a step by step guideline on how to actually finish your woodwork and not leave everything in the middle of it.
Presenting 20 Cool Woodworking Projects for Beginners
1. Candle Holder
It would be wise to start with something simple and that’s exactly what a candle holder is. Almost all beginner woodworking projects will feature a candle holder and there’s obvious reason behind that. The legs and the body would be super easy to make and this should be the first thing you create as a beginner.
2. Shelfs
A shelf is something that everyone needs and in case if you don’t, you can always offer this as a gift to somebody. Shelfs are easier to create and most importantly, they don’t require a heavy use of cutting tools which is what beginners are afraid of in most of the time.
3. Pen Holder
You plan it once, you cut it once, a few polishes and you are done. If you want to impress someone with your woodworking projects for beginners but you don’t want to invest too much time into it, pen holder is your way out.
4. Cup Holder
A wooden cup holder is not something you always see around, however, this is an easy way out for beginner woodworking projects. Simply take measurement of your current cup that you use to drink and prepare a holder of it. Most cups are universally sized and the same holder should work for everyone.
5. Number Plate
The project seems simple but it isn’t. The regular wood board at the back is easy to create, however, don’t forget that you will also have to write on top of it. If you are a beginner and need immediate results, you can use ink to make this process easier.
6. Laptop Dock
Nobody likes putting their laptop on an uneven surface yet that’s what we always do. How about a wooden surface to put our laptop even when we are on bed? Imagine the prospects and get into actions.
7. Phone Dock
Similar to the laptop dock idea, a phone dock will allow you to perfectly place your phone on a bedside arena without the hassle of micro-managing it. This can be a simple yet important solution for a lot of people.
8. USB Drive
You will not be creating the actual USBs as you can collect them from China. You will create the cover with wood which will look lovely in every aspect.
9. Key Rings
Wooden key rings are very popular these days. They are durable, they are waterproof and they last really long. You can create possibly any shape you want.
10. Wine Bottle Holder
Wine bottles are heavy and they require a stable holder to keep them in place. Fortunately, wood can also be heavy which is a perfect solution in this scenario, right?
11. Regular Box
Sometimes overlooked, regular boxes can be as important if not more as any other complex woodworks for a beginner. You need a box for various reasons, every day. Don’t you?
12. Wall Art
If not a wall art, how about a wall art hanger with your beginner friendly woodworking skills? They don’t get rust, they last long and they look nice which is most important.
13. Bird House
Even if you don’t have birds, you can create simple bird houses to hang in trees outside your home. Birds will love it and so will others who will get impressed with your woodworking skills.
14. Pet Feeder
How about a small bowl for your cat or dog made of wood? Once again, they are waterproof so you can make it for food or even for water only and they last really long.
15. Doormat
The first impression is the most important one and you can now offer an amazing first impression with a quality wood doormat. They are strong and they feel comfortable to stand on.
16. Photo Frame
Similar to the wall art hanger, a photo frame can hold your amazing memories for real long without getting rust or having any effect on colors.
17. Bookends
Bookends help your books to stay strong and upright. Two bookends on each end of your shelf and your books will always have that perfect position.
18. Wooden Spoon
Who doesn’t require a wooden spoon to cook? Everyone does and that’s exactly what you can create as a beginner. A wooden spoon will allow you to not only cook for your family and friends but it also makes a great gift.
19. Hanging Planter
Everyone needs a hanger and everyone needs more than one if you can prepare them well. Give it a try. They are not that difficult to create once you can crack the shape of it. You might need support from rods but you can always buy them outside.
20. Napkin Holder
The last in our list is possibly the easiest one which is napkin holders. A napkin holder holds your napkins in a kitchen arena when you are not using them. You can create it in any shape you want as there are no fixed rules.
Woodcraft ideas for beginners are not tough to crack if you have imagination. Think about it for a second. You can possibly create anything that you want as long as you have enough wood and imagination. As you are into beginner woodworking projects, you will not require heavy tools apart from a small cutting device and some wood & some good woodworking plans for beginners.
Try to have fun while you are preparing something. It doesn’t have to be right on the first go and it will not be right either. That is the fun of it. Try to enjoy the process and you will end up creating beautiful woodwork as a beginner that everyone admires.
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