15 guides
Beginner woodworking guides
Plain-English guides to beginner woodworking. Safety first: always follow your tool manuals and wear eye and hearing protection.
Getting started
Safety, hand tools and first power tools.
- How to start woodworking
Small space, simple tools, first project.
- Woodworking safety basics
Eyes, ears, lungs and fingers.
- Essential hand tools
A small kit goes a long way.
- First power tools
Add them one at a time.
Wood
Choosing it, sizes, reclaimed and movement.
- Choosing wood for a project
Softwood, hardwood and plywood.
- Lumber sizes explained
A 2x4 isn't 2 by 4 inches.
- Reclaimed and treated wood
Know what you're cutting.
- Wood movement
Wood swells and shrinks.
Joining and finishing
Screws, glue, joints, sanding and finish.
- Screws, nails and glue
Holding it together.
- Simple joints for beginners
Strong enough, simple enough.
- Sanding basics
Coarse to fine, without skipping.
- Finishing wood
Protect it, and bring out the grain.
First projects
Ideas, cut lists and budget.
- First project ideas
Simple, useful, finishable.
- Measure twice, plan a cut list
Most mistakes happen on paper.
- Woodworking on a budget
Great results without a big spend.