Easy Woodworking Projects

"Easy" woodworking projects are not so simple for the person who is still learning how to use a saw or a clamp.When a skilled craftsman demonstrates woodworking projects on television, it always looks easy. With thousands of dollars worth of the finest equipment and years of experience, it is easy for the professional woodworker. 

One mistake that many beginners make is tackling projects that are too large and intricate for their skill level. This type of project often emerges with major flaws and looks poorly made. By starting with a small project, the novice can build skill with each new task. With time, the difficulty of the projects can be increased as experience is acquired. Until that occurs, staying with small projects is the best bet.

Take the small bookshelf. Making one requires learning some skills that will come in handy later on but does not require an expert touch to build.

For this project you will need four 1-by-8-inch straight pine boards that are 8 feet long, and one piece of 1/4-inch plywood at least 3-by-3 feet and 3 3/4 inches. This may require you to buy a 4-by-8-foot sheet and to cut what you need. Some lumberyards will make this cut for you for a small fee. You also will need wood glue or all-purpose glue, 48 1-inch drywall screws, and paint, stain, varnish or polyurethane.

The tools you need include a pencil, a small square, a cordless screwdriver or drill with a 1/8-inch bit and a Phillips screw bit, a small clamp, a saw (a miter or table saw is preferable), a sanding block and fine sandpaper, and a tape measure at least 6 feet long. You also will need a few rags and a paint brush. If you elect to varnish or apply polyurethane, you will need paint thinner or something similar to clean your brush.

Start by cutting three pieces of the pine that are 34 1/2 inches long. Make sure that you carefully measure the length and use the square to get the best possible line for cutting. You will need two pieces that are 39 inches long. Cut a final piece that is 36 inches long. These cuts should be carefully made so that the ends are as square as possible. Using any of the short pieces left from the 1-by-8-inch pieces, cut 8 pieces 3/4 inches wide by 7 1/2 inches long. Take the sandpaper and smooth any rough edges.

It is time to begin assembling this woodworking project. On each of the 39-inch boards, make a light mark at the 3/4 inch, 13 1/2 inch and 26 1/4 inch measures. Take each of the small pieces that were cut and drill a hole about 2 inches from each end of the piece. Rotate the piece a quarter turn and drill a hole in approximately the center of the piece. Attach each of these pieces at the marks on the 39-inch pieces using two drywall screws and a moderate amount of glue. The top of the small piece should rest on the mark. The top of the final piece should be even with the end of the 39-inch piece.

Attach the shelves beginning with the 36-inch piece as the top. Apply a moderate amount of glue and put a drywall screw through the remaining hole into the shelf. The top shelf should reach to the outside edge of the upright pieces. Attach the next shelf down and repeat the process until the other three shelves have been put into place. Let the glue dry overnight before moving on to the next stage.

Take the plywood and lay it with the rough side up on the floor or woodworking bench. Carefully place the bookshelf on the plywood. It should match the outer dimensions of the project. Using your pencil, make marks on the plywood about 1 inch long along the top of each shelf at each end. Now remove the shelf and set the plywood to the side. Lay the shelf back on the table face down. Make sure that the better side is resting against the table top. Now replace the plywood with the rough side up onto the back of the bookshelf. Make certain that the marks are oriented to match the top of the shelves.

Make a mark 3/8 of an inch below each mark on the plywood. Also, draw a line around the perimeter of the plywood 3/8 of an inch from the edge. Follow the line going around the perimeter and insert screws carefully into the back of the bookshelf. You will need to put four screws, evenly spaced, on each of the four sides. Returning to the shorter marks made 3/8 of an inch below each shelf top on the plywood, draw a line all the way across the plywood between each of the marks. Insert a screw about 1 foot from the edge of the shelf on each side. Repeat for each of the two center shelves.

You are now ready to stain and coat your shelf. It may be painted instead of stained, if you prefer. For painting, you may need to use a primer first or an extra coat of paint. If you choose stain, it is best to apply the stain with a rag and then wipe it off within a minute or so unless you want it dark. Do only about 1/3 of the shelf at a time if you stain it. Follow the directions that come with the stain or paint for drying times. When the finish dries, you are finished.