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12 woodworking projects for beginners (basic tools only)
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TedsWoodworking
A large downloadable library of plans across furniture and outdoor builds, according to the vendor. Useful once you’re past the first few projects.
What tools do you need to start?
A cordless drill-driver, a saw (a good hand saw or a circular saw), a combination square, a tape measure, two or more clamps, sandpaper and wood glue. A mitre saw and a random-orbit sander are the best first upgrades. Wear eye and ear protection from day one.
Twelve projects in a sensible order
- A workbench: it makes every later project easier (our free PDF has a full plan).
- A planter box: forgiving, outdoor, uses cheap timber.
- A wooden crate: teaches square assembly.
- A bird box: small, cheap, good for practising angled cuts.
- A wall shelf with brackets.
- A step stool.
- A shoe rack.
- An end-grain-free cutting board (edge-glued strips).
- A coat rack with dowels: practises drilling straight holes.
- A picture frame: mitred corners.
- A garden bench.
- A simple bookcase with dados or shelf pins.
TedsWoodworking
A large downloadable library of plans across furniture and outdoor builds, according to the vendor. Useful once you’re past the first few projects.
How to avoid wasting wood
Measure from the same end of the board each time, mark with a knife or sharp pencil, and cut on the waste side of the line. Make a cut list before buying timber so you can lay out parts to use full boards. Plans with cut lists save beginners the most money.
When should you buy plans?
Once you’ve built two or three of the simple projects above and want furniture, outdoor builds or anything with joinery. Detailed plans show dimensions, joinery and assembly order, which is where self-designed projects usually go wrong.
Common questions
What is the easiest woodworking project for a complete beginner?
A planter box or a simple crate. Both use straight cuts and screws and still look good if they’re slightly out of square.
What wood should beginners use?
Softwoods such as pine or spruce: cheap, easy to cut and widely available. Move to hardwoods like oak once your cuts are accurate.
Do I need a table saw to start woodworking?
No. A circular saw with a straight-edge guide, or a good hand saw, handles every project on this list.
What we’d look at next
TedsWoodworking
A large downloadable library of plans across furniture and outdoor builds, according to the vendor. Useful once you’re past the first few projects.
Ultimate Small Shop
About setting up and equipping a small workshop on a budget, if you’re still choosing tools.
Not sure which fits? Take the 30-second quiz or see our comparisons.
Related comparisons: TedsWoodworking vs My Shed Plans · Best woodworking guides for beginners: 3 compared
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- How to build a simple garden bench
Get the free PDF
A 4-page PDF plan for a sturdy freestanding 2×4 and plywood bench, with tool list, materials, cut list and step-by-step build. Metric with imperial equivalents.