How to Make Wood Furniture & Wood Craft Projects

Cutout

• 1

  Choose a plan, or create one of your own. Find or create drawings for the piece you want to make. Look for clear drawings, detailing the assembly step by step, with clear descriptions of materials, tools, and processes and exact dimensions. Add these things if you are creating your own plan.

• 2

  Gather your materials and mark out your pieces using a tape measure and square. Start with the largest pieces first and plan to use one tool at a time, completing each process before resetting or moving to the next tool.

• 3

  Cut the pieces out, starting with the largest pieces. Do all of your basic cutout to create the shape of each piece first. Start with rough cuts on a table saw, miter saw or circular saw, then move on to detail cuts with a jigsaw or band saw as needed.

Machining

• 4

  Shape the edges of your pieces. This can include working with a shaper, planer, router or jointer. Finish all shaping on all pieces.

• 5

  Create your joints. Bore for dowels, cut biscuit joint slots, dovetails and the like. Fit all pieces together without glue to ensure that your joints are fitting properly.

• 6

  Bore pilot holes and holes for hardware using a drill. Measure carefully and use your plan to space and align all holes. Use a drill press if one is available, for more accuracy than a hand held drill.

• 7

  Sand all parts smooth with a power sander. Sand fragile parts by hand. Work in successive passes, starting with coarser sand papers and working toward the finer grits. Use at least a 150-grit sandpaper for all parts that will be stained.

Assembly

• 8

  Assemble larger projects in sections. For example, assemble the base and body of a cabinet separately, then joint them together to form the body of your project. Use wood glue and clamps for strength and fasteners to hold pieces in place for reinforcement.

• 9

  Install all hinges, drawer slides and other hardware once the project assembly is mostly complete. Work the drawers out and doors off, if applicable, for easier access.

• 10

  Add finishing details such as doors, tops and drawers last. Install hardware and trim once the entire project is assembled and everything is working.