- Pick a simple project to start
A coffee table was the first thing I created. It wasn’t anything spectacular, and there weren’t any notches, grooves, or rounded edges. Learning the basics of carpentry is the main purpose of your first project. Getting accurate measurements, learning how to join wood, and gaining the ability to cut straight were all things that I had to learn. I felt as if I was enrolled in carpentry school while doing the first project. Avoid starting with something big and save your money and time. Go for the simple approach and let yourself make mistakes and learn.
- Converse with your spouse and come to an agreement
You and your wife will need to have a conversation about what designs would be the most adequate if you’re going to build any kind of furniture for your home. Be aware of your carpentry limitations. Anything I build probably won’t have the same level of craftsmanship that a professionally made piece of Macy’s furniture would have. I can however make something simple enough to hold your books. Functionality over beauty was the focus that my wife and I decided on for our furniture.
- Create a plan by using a sample of what you want to build
Before starting construction on the coffee table, I took photos of an existing one in the style I wanted. I changed the colors of the photos to black and white using a photo editor, which was Kodak Easy Share Software in my case. I wrote the dimensions and measurements for the table on printed copies of the photos. I was able to see just everything would come together through the photos.
Figure out what supplies you’ll need and how much wood it will take to complete your project before you begin. Then go to a local hardware store and see how much the project will cost before purchasing anything. Time is money, and if you’re trying to save money by building something, think about how much time it will take to build and whether the savings are worth it.
- Look online or in a book
It would probably be impossible to see the joint attachments just by looking at your plans and photos. The correct measuring strategies or best cutting methods might be a mystery to you. You may even have to look at instruction manuals to learn how to use certain power tools for the first time.
In other words, it’s hard to do something if you have no idea how to do it.
The following tips should be kept in mind when dealing with joints:
A joint will usually look better when it has a more complex construction.
Screws, nails, bolts, and other external fasteners can get the job done in a more efficient way, but they aren’t visually appealing.
Everything that can be learned about woodworking can be found in a book.
- Measure two times, and cut once
You should always keep this in mind, especially if you’re building furniture for the purpose of not having to spend as much on store bought furniture. Take your time while you work. Put some thought into what you’re doing and imagine every cut before making it.
Once the wood has been cut, give it a label. Adding labels will prevent you from cutting into wood that you’ve already cut once before
- Don’t go overboard with the tools
People will often spend a lot of money on tools when they start building furniture. They see the latest and fully featured tools and decide that they have to have them.
When I first started working on projects, I borrowed tools rather than buying them to see if I had the skills to use them. Later on, I bought a miter saw, sanding machine, electric drill, and circular saw, which I considered to be essential tools for a beginner.
If you want to avoid turning a project from one that would have only cost $100, into one that costs $600, don’t rush into buying tools.
- Tiny mistakes can happen, and you should accept them
It can be hard to accept that you’ve made a mistake. Mistakes often happen when building furniture. Builders know their projects inside out, and will sometimes lament on any imperfections. Everyone else won’t even notice that the imperfections are there.
