5 Small and Easy Woodworking Projects for Beginners

If you’re just getting into woodworking, you may have noticed that many projects published online are pretty complex. It makes sense to test your skills on something small first.

Completing one project with the best jigsaw can boost your confidence, so here are some small and easy woodworking projects for beginners to get you going.

#1. A Pallet Shelf

This project is about as simple as it gets. All you need is a pallet, a saw, a hammer, and a few nails to make a shelf for your workbench or wall. You’ll find the plans via Pallet University.

Pick your pallet carefully. Penn State Extension advises never using a pallet stamped “MB” (treated with the pesticide methyl bromide) for a home project, and watching for rusty nails as you take it apart.

http://www.palletuniversity.com/all-projects/

#2. Sofa Cupholder

This project takes your skills up a notch, but you can finish it in an afternoon. You join three pieces of wood into a sleeve that sits over the sofa arm. Once the wood has been glued or nailed together, you cut a hole in the top piece large enough for your favorite glass or coffee mug. You can find the plans for this project via A Beautiful Mess.

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2015/04/diy-wooden-sofa-sleeve-with-cup-holder.html

#3. Wall Planter with Address

This simple project adds curb appeal. You take three boards cut to the same size and join them together. You could also use a sheet of plywood if you prefer. Then you affix a planter box to the foundation you’ve created. Add your address numbers for an added touch. You can find the plans for this project via Shanty 2 Chic.

#4. Tablet Holder

Does your tablet travel with you around the house? Instead of buying a plastic stand, make one yourself. It only takes one piece of wood, but you need to cut a precise slot to hold the tablet. A router or a table saw makes that slot much easier to cut cleanly.

Or if you feel like a big challenge, consider taking on this project.

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#5. Wooden Boxes

Small boxes hold coins, jewelry, baseball cards, and more. A box is a simple project that practices the skills you’ll need later: measuring, square crosscuts, and clean joints. You can find the plans for a nice, simple box via Instructables.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Techniques-for-making-a-few-simple-boxes/

Simple woodworking projects help you build skills and confidence for bigger ones. Wear safety glasses, and use a dust mask when sanding: OSHA notes that breathing wood dust can irritate the airways and is linked to cancer.

Sources

• Be Safe Around Wooden Pallets!, Penn State Extension
• Wood Dust: Overview, OSHA