BEGINNER WOODWORKING TIPS:
Getting Set Up
You’ve made the decision to begin building your own woodworking projects. What does someone who is just getting
started need to consider? We just so happen to have some beginner woodworking tips for you - which considering the
title, is a good thing!
Beginner Woodworking "Must Knows"
 The first step in our journey through beginner woodworking “must
knows”, is to choose what types of projects you will most likely be doing. Are you planning to work on large
projects such as furniture and cabinetry or smaller ones like the cliché birdhouse or shadowboxes?
The types of projects you are doing will help establish how much room you need and the types of
equipment you will be purchasing. If you are making picture frames and cool little napkin caddies, you won’t need
that huge 28” table saw.
By the same token, you won’t be using a handsaw too often if you are making hutches and lawn
furniture.
Choose Your Woodworking Domain
Once you have chosen what types of projects you are going to be doing, it is recommended you find just the right
spot for your woodworking shop. A garage, basement or closed carport is often used. Just make sure that you have
good ventilation. Even if you don’t plan on painting, varnishing or otherwise adding a finish to any of your
projects, wood dust can build up which isn’t a good thing to be breathing.
Make sure you have a secure location with plenty of room to move around. The laws of beginner woodworking state
you can never have too much room; however there might be those that object to you using the entire basement or
garage, so staying organized is a good idea.
CLICK HERE TO MASTER BASIC TO ADVANCED WOODWORKING
SKILLS
Woodworking Schedule & Scope
Scheduling and scope are also considerations for the beginner woodworking semi-professional wood artist that you
are destined to become.
Try to schedule your shop time for when you can dedicate your full attention to the task at hand. This also
goes for location. Having saws and drills cranking in the backyard at 2am isn’t going to make you the popular
neighbor you once were and might result in less BBQ invitations.
Scope is an aspect nearly everyone forgets about. By scope we’re talking about the size of your project and man
hours (woman hours?) -ahem- PEOPLE hours it will take to complete your project.
Promising grandma an exact replica of a grandfather clock once owned by the Duchess of York in a week isn’t a
good idea. Be realistic about both time and the skill level involved in a project; grandma will understand and your
relaxing hobby won’t turn into another deadline.
Safety is the biggest thing to consider. While it is considered my personal option to wear safety glasses while
frying bacon, at no time in your shop is it a good idea to go without them. You could lose an eye that way, and
then your mother will have an opening to say, “I told you so.” No one wants that to happen.
Think safety at all times. Keep your spills cleaned up and your tools organized. When you close up shop after a
nice woodworking session the beginner woodworking junior handbook says to unplug everything.
Beginner Woodworking Project Resources
 These are probably things you might have already thought about, but sometimes
reading a few thoughts on things helps to open up the old thinking tube and make ideas flow.
You’ll have no end of suggestions from your friends and family though, so don’t worry about ever having to make
a decision on your own.
A true beginner woodworking class is highly recommended. There are some fine Beginner Woodworking books on the market to
help you on your way with projects. To help you build your skill, taking advantage of both will only give you
greater satisfaction and enable you to chisel, saw and drill like a pro in no time.
Good luck and watch those fingers!
| 