Ultra-beginner woodworking and furniture building for the non-homeowner
December 2, 2023 8:53 AM Subscribe
Instagram has been showing me videos by folks who use (mostly) hand tools to build stuff out of wood. This looks pretty awesome! I currently own extremely basic tools (hammer, set of wrenches, a screwdriver, one power drill). Is it possible to get into woodworking without thousands of dollars of equipment? I have no idea how to even get started.
With the holiday season coming up I am extremely interested in whether it's possible to build some neat basic furniture or wood projects using a pretty minimalist set of tools that could be stored/operated in a relatively small garage.
At the moment I'm mostly interested in hand tools just because they look neat and as a kid I used to watch the Woodwright's Shop on PBS. I have no idea what kind of tools actually make sense for the types of things that I think I want to build. Would this require thousands of dollars of power tools or could I get by with some hand saws and chisels? If you were to kit out a super beginner set of woodworking tools (including potentially buying some power tools) what would you get?
*Keep in mind this is a small garage with 1 power outlet in a rental house and at this point I'm mostly interested in just fiddling around without making any major investments
A couple of projects that I have daydreamed about:
- Building a simple chair (example)
- A plant stand (example)
- A Modernist bird house (example)
- A Kumiko lamp (example)
- An entry bench (example)
- Just a nice looking log (example)
With the holiday season coming up I am extremely interested in whether it's possible to build some neat basic furniture or wood projects using a pretty minimalist set of tools that could be stored/operated in a relatively small garage.
At the moment I'm mostly interested in hand tools just because they look neat and as a kid I used to watch the Woodwright's Shop on PBS. I have no idea what kind of tools actually make sense for the types of things that I think I want to build. Would this require thousands of dollars of power tools or could I get by with some hand saws and chisels? If you were to kit out a super beginner set of woodworking tools (including potentially buying some power tools) what would you get?
*Keep in mind this is a small garage with 1 power outlet in a rental house and at this point I'm mostly interested in just fiddling around without making any major investments
A couple of projects that I have daydreamed about:
- Building a simple chair (example)
- A plant stand (example)
- A Modernist bird house (example)
- A Kumiko lamp (example)
- An entry bench (example)
- Just a nice looking log (example)
Sure thing, you can do it using minimal tools. A girlfriend of mine once built a bed frame in her NYC apartment just because she felt like doing it. She found free plans on the internet and I think she just had Home Depot deliver the wood. Have fun!!!
posted by 8603 at 9:36 AM on December 2, 2023
posted by 8603 at 9:36 AM on December 2, 2023
As a beginner, I found a Kreg K4 jig invaluable for making quick and easy joints. Check it out!
posted by dono at 9:46 AM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by dono at 9:46 AM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
I am by no means a woodworker, but I've built some stuff that looks nice. You certainly don't need thousands of dollars worth of equipment, but if you want clean straight cuts, a chop saw with a decent blade is going to give you better results than a hand saw (I'm sure there are some handsaw masters out there that would prove me wrong).
If you have a Harbor Freight near you, their stuff is inexpensive and is generally very good for casual use.
posted by jonathanhughes at 9:57 AM on December 2, 2023
If you have a Harbor Freight near you, their stuff is inexpensive and is generally very good for casual use.
posted by jonathanhughes at 9:57 AM on December 2, 2023
Home Depot does tool rentals, so you can just rent whatever specialty tools you need for a day and return them.
posted by shock muppet at 12:02 PM on December 2, 2023
posted by shock muppet at 12:02 PM on December 2, 2023
Do you have a community tool library near you? I use mine a ton, although the tools tend to be old and beat up, it’s a good way to figure out what you want to own and how fancy it needs to be.
There’s also a couple stores near me that sell used tools. You can rent things from Home Depot, etc. Facebook / Nextdoor, etc. are a possibility, do your due diligence to be confident the tools aren’t stolen. Pawn shops around me are surprisingly expensive for used tools, but maybe you’ll have better luck.
posted by momus_window at 12:03 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
There’s also a couple stores near me that sell used tools. You can rent things from Home Depot, etc. Facebook / Nextdoor, etc. are a possibility, do your due diligence to be confident the tools aren’t stolen. Pawn shops around me are surprisingly expensive for used tools, but maybe you’ll have better luck.
posted by momus_window at 12:03 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I've found that this portable table saw works well for me in my small workshop. I previously used a hand-held circular saw, and the table saw is so much better for making repeated, precision cuts. I don't have experience to say if a chop saw would be nicer, more affordable, or more space-efficient. The first thing I did after getting the table saw was to build a cross-cut sled for it, by following some YouTube videos. Fun, satisfying, and very useful project.
If you're determined to avoid power tools, then fair enough. I'm just suggesting that you can get a few modest but nice tools for under $1000 total and be in business.
posted by polecat at 12:05 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you're determined to avoid power tools, then fair enough. I'm just suggesting that you can get a few modest but nice tools for under $1000 total and be in business.
posted by polecat at 12:05 PM on December 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
The answer is "yes, you can" but, like a lot of things, it depends on exactly what you want to do.
If you want to carve some spoons you need a hatchet and a couple knives. If you want to make plywood furniture you might need a table saw (or a way to ensure you can cut straight with a circular saw). If you want to make tables put together with pocket screws you'll need some saws and the Kreg jig that dono mentioned above.
If you want to make solid wood furniture with proper joinery that will last generations, then you're going to need a lot more tools and a bit of time.
The good news is it can be done, and if you buy decent tools and keep adding to your collection, you'll eventually have what you need.
For hand tool work, I like Rex Krueger on YouTube. He's sort of a budget woodworker that tells you how to get by without a lot of money.
For traditional hand tool woodworking, though slightly more modern than the Woodwright Shop, you should read The Anarchists' Tool Chest by Christopher Schwarz. The premise of the book is "you don't need a ton of tools, but these are the tools you DO need if you want to build furniture." It's a lot more than you have, but you don't need to buy them all at once. It's not the only path to building furniture, but it's the traditional one. It's not a beginner woodworking book though, it's about the tools.
I will be honest and say I'm not sure you could get enough tools and supplies together before this holiday season unless you have access to someone with more tools and experience who is willing to guide you. Do not let that discourage you though if this is something you want to get into. I built my first woodworking project (a guitar) with a tiny dime store bandsaw, a spokeshave, a drill, and a couple of chisels. Not much else.
I now have a shop with a lot of entry-level woodworking power tools. More and more I find myself using hand tools. If I had to give up all my power tools but could choose one to keep, it would be a band saw. You can do so much with a bandsaw, especially if you have some decent hand tools (planes, backsaws) to clean up your edges.
You can, and should, look into buying used hand tools. The trouble though is, as beginners (and when it comes to buying used tools, I am a beginner) it's tough to know what to look for. The rustiest tool in the world might turn into an heirloom with some cleaning up, or a shiny looking tool might have a fatal flaw in it that you only notice once you get home with it.
"Woodworking" is simply working with wood. Any wood. Yes, you can get into woodworking without a lot of tools. You may not be able to get into the kind of woodworking you're hoping to get into though. But we all start somewhere. Good luck.
posted by bondcliff at 12:06 PM on December 2, 2023 [4 favorites]
If you want to carve some spoons you need a hatchet and a couple knives. If you want to make plywood furniture you might need a table saw (or a way to ensure you can cut straight with a circular saw). If you want to make tables put together with pocket screws you'll need some saws and the Kreg jig that dono mentioned above.
If you want to make solid wood furniture with proper joinery that will last generations, then you're going to need a lot more tools and a bit of time.
The good news is it can be done, and if you buy decent tools and keep adding to your collection, you'll eventually have what you need.
For hand tool work, I like Rex Krueger on YouTube. He's sort of a budget woodworker that tells you how to get by without a lot of money.
For traditional hand tool woodworking, though slightly more modern than the Woodwright Shop, you should read The Anarchists' Tool Chest by Christopher Schwarz. The premise of the book is "you don't need a ton of tools, but these are the tools you DO need if you want to build furniture." It's a lot more than you have, but you don't need to buy them all at once. It's not the only path to building furniture, but it's the traditional one. It's not a beginner woodworking book though, it's about the tools.
I will be honest and say I'm not sure you could get enough tools and supplies together before this holiday season unless you have access to someone with more tools and experience who is willing to guide you. Do not let that discourage you though if this is something you want to get into. I built my first woodworking project (a guitar) with a tiny dime store bandsaw, a spokeshave, a drill, and a couple of chisels. Not much else.
I now have a shop with a lot of entry-level woodworking power tools. More and more I find myself using hand tools. If I had to give up all my power tools but could choose one to keep, it would be a band saw. You can do so much with a bandsaw, especially if you have some decent hand tools (planes, backsaws) to clean up your edges.
You can, and should, look into buying used hand tools. The trouble though is, as beginners (and when it comes to buying used tools, I am a beginner) it's tough to know what to look for. The rustiest tool in the world might turn into an heirloom with some cleaning up, or a shiny looking tool might have a fatal flaw in it that you only notice once you get home with it.
"Woodworking" is simply working with wood. Any wood. Yes, you can get into woodworking without a lot of tools. You may not be able to get into the kind of woodworking you're hoping to get into though. But we all start somewhere. Good luck.
posted by bondcliff at 12:06 PM on December 2, 2023 [4 favorites]
Best answer: For the sake of your future self, I'd suggest trying the Kumiko patterns first (maybe not that whole sphere to start).
You can do Kumiko with zero power tools, and it will teach you precision.
It will also not take up lots of space or make too much mess, compared to the others.
Learning to cut straight and make things fit nicely on this scale is a real transferable skill that will help on whatever woodworking path you take.
For this, you'll need a hand saw (I like the Japanese style pull saws), one nice chisel (and your side project can be learning to sharpen that chisel), and a bevel gauge (to set up your blocks).
Start with paint stir sticks, and once you've got the idea down you can then get a hand plane (check Rex Kruger for recommendations) and make your own stock.
It will seem really easy, then really hard and fiddly. This is the nature of wood, and you can learn your tolerance for it quickly and cheaply this way.
The bench will be very similar, but you don't need to be as precise. Do it after the Kumiko and it will seem relatively easy.
posted by Acari at 12:32 PM on December 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
You can do Kumiko with zero power tools, and it will teach you precision.
It will also not take up lots of space or make too much mess, compared to the others.
Learning to cut straight and make things fit nicely on this scale is a real transferable skill that will help on whatever woodworking path you take.
For this, you'll need a hand saw (I like the Japanese style pull saws), one nice chisel (and your side project can be learning to sharpen that chisel), and a bevel gauge (to set up your blocks).
Start with paint stir sticks, and once you've got the idea down you can then get a hand plane (check Rex Kruger for recommendations) and make your own stock.
It will seem really easy, then really hard and fiddly. This is the nature of wood, and you can learn your tolerance for it quickly and cheaply this way.
The bench will be very similar, but you don't need to be as precise. Do it after the Kumiko and it will seem relatively easy.
posted by Acari at 12:32 PM on December 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
I've built benches, a bass guitar, and a banjo with hand tools plus a power drill, a jigsaw, and a rotary tool. The examples you showed can be made with them, but some require both precise measuring and accurate cutting -- things that would be too tough for a beginner so a bit if practice would be useful before you tackle them.
My material of choice is framing pine, which is dirt cheap and typically thrown out in large amounts during a reno. Reusing waste is a bonus, and it's easy to cut. On the downside it will often be warped and break easily, so my designs are created around the wood's properties and available dimensions, and my limited skills and attention span.
Still I've learned that a simple dado or lap joint is a lot better than a butt joint, and that screws on pre-drilled holes are better than nails. Glue is essential, and triangles mean strength. As you get better you will learn what works, especially what works for you.
For those projects you showed you will need better wood and a fine toothed saw although the two benches are doable with framing pine. The planter's legs might be built with dowels, but you can also start with a 2x2 pine then work it with a rasp file (my favourite tool), a sanding block, and sandpaper of various grits. For the lantern you need a mini handsaw for those delicate cuts.
Safety is paramount. Always wear safety eyewear, hearing protection, dust mask, cut resistant gloves, and shoes. Have a first aid kit close, and someone to check on you occasionally. Also, get a shopvac or broom/dustpan and a bin to keep things neat.
posted by KwaiChangCaine at 1:12 PM on December 2, 2023
My material of choice is framing pine, which is dirt cheap and typically thrown out in large amounts during a reno. Reusing waste is a bonus, and it's easy to cut. On the downside it will often be warped and break easily, so my designs are created around the wood's properties and available dimensions, and my limited skills and attention span.
Still I've learned that a simple dado or lap joint is a lot better than a butt joint, and that screws on pre-drilled holes are better than nails. Glue is essential, and triangles mean strength. As you get better you will learn what works, especially what works for you.
For those projects you showed you will need better wood and a fine toothed saw although the two benches are doable with framing pine. The planter's legs might be built with dowels, but you can also start with a 2x2 pine then work it with a rasp file (my favourite tool), a sanding block, and sandpaper of various grits. For the lantern you need a mini handsaw for those delicate cuts.
Safety is paramount. Always wear safety eyewear, hearing protection, dust mask, cut resistant gloves, and shoes. Have a first aid kit close, and someone to check on you occasionally. Also, get a shopvac or broom/dustpan and a bin to keep things neat.
posted by KwaiChangCaine at 1:12 PM on December 2, 2023
A lot of it depends on what you want to build. Houses are often built with little more than a skilsaw, hammer, and a speed square. If you want to turn, you'll need a lathe. If you are into hand tools, that is likely to be the least expensive way to start, and then only add power tools as you need them. If I were starting again to build a shop I would probably start with a table saw, because I use that in almost every project.
One thing to consider is buying used equipment, particularly if you are comfortable having a new hobby of repairing power tool motors. (But you can find things in good working order, and they often come with various accessories and attachments that were only used on one project.) Most of the equipment in my shop had a previous owner. Look for garage sales, estate sales, Craigslist, friends who have upgraded.
posted by surlyben at 1:36 PM on December 2, 2023
One thing to consider is buying used equipment, particularly if you are comfortable having a new hobby of repairing power tool motors. (But you can find things in good working order, and they often come with various accessories and attachments that were only used on one project.) Most of the equipment in my shop had a previous owner. Look for garage sales, estate sales, Craigslist, friends who have upgraded.
posted by surlyben at 1:36 PM on December 2, 2023
Have you looked into whether there's any kind of maker space near you? One near me has every tool you'd need for woodworking, and classes in all of them.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 2:48 PM on December 2, 2023
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 2:48 PM on December 2, 2023
cut resistant gloves,
Note though to take your gloves off whenever you are using rotating machinery like a lathe, tablesaw or drill press.
posted by Mitheral at 4:31 PM on December 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
Note though to take your gloves off whenever you are using rotating machinery like a lathe, tablesaw or drill press.
posted by Mitheral at 4:31 PM on December 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
Look into woodworking from before power tools were cheap. I grew up with a set of ?1930s? how-to and hobby books that were all about inexpensive pleasant domestic furniture made with few tools and maybe on the back stoop. Decorated with chip carving or slightly-worked copper strips.
Went looking at PGutenberg, didn’t find what I remember but the handwork category has some promising books.
Handwork category (lots of fields)
E.g., Mission Furniture vol 1, with plan drawings, actual usable furniture. Maybe the Cellarette Pedestal could be a device-charging stand nowadays. And I liked the beginners’ explanation of tools and woods in
Elementary Woodworking .
posted by clew at 4:24 PM on December 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Went looking at PGutenberg, didn’t find what I remember but the handwork category has some promising books.
Handwork category (lots of fields)
E.g., Mission Furniture vol 1, with plan drawings, actual usable furniture. Maybe the Cellarette Pedestal could be a device-charging stand nowadays. And I liked the beginners’ explanation of tools and woods in
Elementary Woodworking .
posted by clew at 4:24 PM on December 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
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There are also a lot of good recommendations from other commenters in that five year old thread.
Definitely still recommending Ana White, and also a little wistful as my answer dates back to the time when I was teaching. I miss those kids, but not the stress or the bureaucracy.
And of course because we live in crazy times, I had to check just now to make sure that Ana White hadn't turned into a Nazi or crypto currency promoter or something weird. Delighted to report that she has not. She's still just Ana White, an awesome Alaska mom building terrific wood projects with her kids.
posted by seasparrow at 9:17 AM on December 2, 2023 [8 favorites]