How to Select Projects for Beginner Woodworkers

You know how to drive a nail with a hammer. You know how to use the saw. You have the necessary basic skills to do woodworking but what kind of projects do you start with? Many beginner woodworkers find it difficult to select projects that they can do. With so many categories of beginner woodworking projects on the Internet, it is no wonder that beginners feel confused. They usually want to start a project that would really put them into serious woodworking. Sometimes they start on one, and then later on find new project and jump on this without finishing the other.

So what do you then? How do you find a nice project with all the categories available on the Internet? Well, you could create your own categories of course. Ask yourself these simple questions; what do you find interesting? What are your needs? Answer these questions and you’ll create your own categories. Then, it would be easy for you to pinpoint what project will suit you. And your on your way to making your first woodwork project.

Here’s a situation. Ramon is 35 years old. He has a 6-year old son and a 13 year-old daughter. The garage is filled with tools just lying around with no organization to speak of. The backyard is no yard at all. A cardboard box serves as a TV stand. There is no computer desk. There is no place to unwind.

Ramon is just beginning to learn woodworking and is eager to test and practice his skills. And there are a lot of projects he can do. He can start on projects that will serve a pressing need. Completing such a project will not only fill a need but also encourage him to do more woodwork. But first he must do his categories of woodworking project. His category list may be similar with this.

Kids Projects: A toy box for a 6-year old. A study desk for the 13-year old

Garage Projects: Tool bench and shelves for organizing.

Outside Projects: Shed, deck and fence

Inside Projects: TV stand, computer desk

Projects for myself: A porch swing to relax in

With this list, Ramon can prioritize and select projects plans that he can do appropriate to his skills. He can then start on projects that he thinks should be accomplished first. Is a shed more important than the TV stand? Should he start with the garage projects first or should he do something else? By drawing up a category list, it becomes much easier to see which projects must come first and which projects can be done with what woodworking skills one have. It helps you advance slowly but surely into becoming a better woodworker.