Hot Furniture & Woodworking How-Tos
How To: Build a southern pine plant box
If you feel tht your porch or patio is a bit too bland for your taste, putting a planter box outside is a smart idea. But if you don't like anything that you see at the store or don't want to pay an arm and a leg to buy one, then make it yourself.
How To: Build a bulletin board for a high school or college student
Summer is almost over and that means the end of summer vacation and the start of the new school year. During this transition, parents and students get ready for the new year by purchasing a variety of different materials. Pencils, paper, books, testing sheets, etc.
How To: Build a great looking plant stand
If you've run out of room in your garden, a plant stand may be a good idea. This can hold an assortment of items, including small and medium size pots for your plants.
How To: Build a very basic picnic table
There's no better time to hang outdoors than during the summer. Hanging out indoors can cause you to sweat up a storm and spend quite a bit of money thanks to constant use of your AC.
How To: Construct a wooden Adirondack chair
In this video, we learn how to construct a wooden Adirondack chair. First, you will build the subframe followed by the back of the hair. After this, you will build the arms of the chair and connect all the different parts together. This is an easy and fun project to do, where you can enjoy your chair after you make it for many years to come. If you go to the website Lowe's Creative Ideas, you can get the blueprint on how to make this chair and what tools you will need to make it. When finishe...
How To: Fix a cracked wood cutting board
If you have a cutting board that you made or purchased from the store, excessive exposure to water can be bad. Water can be sucked into the wood and damage the wood board, eventually leading to a crack. Instead of throwing it out, you may want to let it sit for a couple of weeks so that the water is able to dry out.
How To: Make picture frames for vinyl record covers
This video tutorial is in the Home & Garden category where you will learn how to make picture frames for vinyl record covers. These frames do not use nails or clips to hold the covers. The covers slide in and out of the frames so that they can be changed easily. For this you will need 4 pieces of wood 3/4" thick, ¼" wide and 14" long. First you sand all the pieces. Then you set up your router and the rabbeting bit to cut out the four wooden pieces. Now you need to make indentations on the to...
How To: Install a butt hinge mortise
If you've been working on a project and need to know how to put up a door using a butt hinge, this video should help. In the tutorial, The Wood Whisperer, will let you know what tools you'll need to determine how to properly install a butt hinge mortise. Installing it incorrectly can result in an off balance door and can be tedious to try and fix. So check out the video for more information, take notes, and good luck!
How To: Make a beautiful wood rainstick
If you ever wanted to make your own rainstick from scratch, you've clicked the right video. In this tutorial, you'll be taken step-by-step on what supplies you'll need to make this cool looking trinket. It can take up to a day or less depending on your level of handiness in the garage, so check out the video, take notes, and enjoy!
How To: Make wood roof shingles by hand
In this video, we learn how to make wood roof shingles by hand. Start off with round oak wood, then split it with a splitting axe. Then, use a mallet to split them out further. Make sure to use clean and straight grained oak to do this. Now, remove the bark from the wood and split into thin sheets. Then, place into a cleaver brake and use a mallet to split down the different wood shingles. From each piece of wood, you should get 4-5 different shingles. When finished, you can hammer these toge...
How To: Make a traditional trug
The trugs are made from finished birch and lamium (sp)birch plywood. 1 inch wide and 4 millimeters thick plywood in three thickness. Laminate three pieces together to make a handle. Make a rim in the same way. It is made in two halves, put in a drying rack overnight and then trimmed and pinned together at the side with solid brass pins which won't rust. They are placed in a former where the boards are plced into the trug. The boards are 1 1/2 millimeter aircraft ply. The handle and rim are so...
How To: Create a mid-century modern wood wall hanging piece
Remember summer camp? Remember the smell of the log cabins? The feel of the treated wood? Well, you can create something for your home that's perfect for a nostalgic summer camp aesthetic. Meg Allen Cole (recently of Threadbanger) was inspired to make this mid-century modern wall hanging piece made from a small wooden log (or branch) when she was at a relaxing, wooded vacation spot in Maine. And she shows you how to make one, too!
How To: Make your very own Connect-Four game with wood
In this next woodworking tutorial, you'll find out how to make a favorite game using, of course, wood!
How To: Set cabinets for an entertainment center: tips
Bob Schmidt tells us how to set up cabinets for an entertainment center in this tutorial. First, make sure you set base cabinets next to your wires and put a hole in the back of them so you can cover the wires up, but still have easy access to them. You can easily make these holes by using a small saw to cut them out after measuring the correct sizes. Next, Set your counters so they fit perfectly inside of your wall space. If you need to, cut out your panels and replace with mesh ones that le...
How To: Make a hand cut half blind dovetail easily
If you're looking for a joint that is sturdy and highly used even to this day, then this video is going to show you one. This video tutorial is going to show you how to make a hand cut half blind dovetail easily. It's going to take a few tools and the right pieces of wood. It's an easy tutorial to follow, so good luck and enjoy!
How To: Make a cigar box clock
This video tutorial is in the Home & Garden category which will show you how to make a cigar box clock. The parts used for this project are a cigar box, quartz clock movement and hands for the clock. The tools needed are a drill bit and pliers or a wrench. Take your cigar box drill a hole in the center with a drill bit and put the time markers on it as shown in the video. The size of the hole will depend on the shaft diameter of the clock movement. Now fix the clock movement from inside the b...
How To: Prepare a log for tiki carving
In order to prepare a log for Tiki Carving, you will need the following items: a hardhat or a helmet, a respirator, a log, a planer, and a blade.
How To: Make a heart picture frame using red cedar wood
Nothing says 'I Love You' more than a gift that was made from scratch. Especially if that gift is shaped like a heart and is made from wood.
How To: Contain your sheep with hurdles
This video tutorial is in the Home & Garden category which will show you how to contain your sheep with hurdles. For this project you will need thin and long wooden staffs. This can also be done with bamboo. Split the wooden staffs in half. Take a heavy piece of timber and make holes in it at regular intervals. Place the timber at the boundary of the area where you want to contain your sheep. Then drive one unsplit wooden staff through each hole in the timber so that the end of the staff gets...
How To: Use a woodland toilet or tree bog
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use a woodland toilet or tree bog. To use a woodland toilet, it is the same as using a regular toilet except it does not involve flushing. The waste goes into the hole in the base. The woodland toilets are located in clear and open areas for easy access. Every hour, users will need to pour down sawdust to help decompose the waste and prevent the smell. Do not pour too much sawdust down the toilet at once. This video will benefit hose viewers who ar...
How To: Make your own resin tabletop
In order to make your own resin tabletop, you will need the following: a clean piece of wood (e.g. 2' x 2' piece of plywood, resin, gloves, objects to imbed in the table, and ultra seal.
How To: Sharpen your lathe tools using some helpful tips
If you're looking for some more tips on how to sharpen your lathe chisels, you have come to the right place. In this video tutorial, you'll find out some other helpful tips for making sure your tools are nice and sharp for when you need to carve pieces of wood for any kind of woodworking project. It's easy to follow and will make life easier on you. Enjoy!
How To: Build a homemade lathe tool sharpener
When molding or carving pieces of wood using a lathe, it's important that you have the right tools for the job. This includes having your tools nice and sharp for when you need them. You can actually pay someone to do this, but how about you save some money?
How To: Cut beads and coves using your wood lathe
It's time to get down and dirty in this next tutorial. If you own a lathe, you may already know that there is a great selection of different styles that can be carved using the right carving tools.
How To: Make a slimline pen using a lathe
If you're looking for a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a slimline pen from scratch, you've come to the right place!
How To: Make a beanbag pillow chair from old t-shirts and foam
Can't quite figure out to do with your old clothes? Upcycle your old tees into a cozy beanbag pillow chair with this crafter's guide from the folks at MAKE. For more information on turning your own t-shirts into pillow cases, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this DIY guide.
How To: Sharpen your lathe tools easily
When using a lathe, it's important to make sure that your tools are sharp enough to that you can get the best quality cut or groove for your project. A dull blade can result in a poor looking product and can hurt the way it looks.
How To: Use wood and acrylic blanks for pen making
If you're thinking about what kind of project you can tackle with a lathe, ever thought about making a pen. You can make a great looking pen using many different kinds of wood. It all depends on what you want it to look like.
How To: Use basic wood pen lathe tools
The great thing about woodworking is the ability to do whatever you want to something using various styles and tools. Whether you're making a bird house or a table, there are plenty of ways that this can be done.
How To: Make ebony plugs when woodworking
This DIY guide focuses on pillowing ebony pegs, an adornment commonly found in Greene & Greene style furniture. Though it might seem like a daunting task, it's actually fairly straightforward. So straightforward, in fact, that this guide can presenta complete overview of the process in just over six and a half minutes' time. For complete instructions, and to get started making your own ebony plugs, take a look.
How To: Build a storage box for your deck
Building a storage box for your deck is a smart way to add extra storage to an area usually not known for having storage. The great thing about using wood than plastic, is that is adds to the feeling of being outside and can be stained to match the look of your deck. This three part tutorial, will take you through the steps of building a successful storage box and shows you step by step.
How To: Use a Kreg hidden fastener deck jig
When building a wooden deck, some people wish they can prevent any nails or screws from showing. This can help with the overall look of the deck and can make things look much better. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to use a Kreg hidden fastener deck jig, making things much easier for you and the look of your deck. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Glue and clamp woodworking projects
In this woodworking tutorial, you'll be finding out how to properly glue and clamp woodworking projects. This is an important tutorial since some projects require the use of glue more than nails or screws. So it's important to know what to exactly do when working with both products. So sit back and enjoy this great tutorial!
How To: Laminate a wood panel
Looking for a primer on how to laminate a panel of wood? Well, you're in luck, as this DIY video guide provides just that — and in just under six minutes! For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started laminating your own wood panels, watch this home improvement how-to.
How To: Assemble an IKEA Billy bookcase
Looking for comprehensible instructions on how to assemble your IKEA Billy bookcase? You're in luck! This free video tutorial presents comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to put together a Billy shelving unit. For detailed instructions and to get started setting up your own Swedish bookcase, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Paint a porch with precision with Martha Stewart
Painting a room is pretty easy stuff: just add a layer or two of primer if your wall color is extremely dark or has crack and bumps, and then load on a few layers of paint.
How To: Paint a wicker chair easily
Paint can do wonders to not only walls in a room, but certain furniture items as well. In this case, wicker chairs. These may be a bit more difficult to prep and paint since there are so many little cracks and openings that you have to get. So check out the tutorial above from Danny Lipford on how to paint a wicker chair easily. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Make a distressed door in a short amount of time
If you're looking to add something that looks old and aged to your home, a door is always a good idea. Now finding a vintage door can take you time and money, but you can easily create one using a few inexpensive items from the store. All you need is a hand-held torch, some stain, and a door. So check out the tutorial to find out more. Good luck and be careful. Enjoy!
How To: Build a wooden frame for digital pictures
This next video, is a great blend of woodworking and technology. In the tutorial, you'll be finding out how to create a wooden frame for the small digital picture keychains that can be bought from stores like Target and Best Buy. It's a great gift idea for parents, relatives, or just for you. So check it out, take notes, and good luck!
How To: Measure stuff without a ruler in woodworking
When doing woodworking projects, it's important to know how to measure things properly. Not doing so, can result in crooked pieces and unbalanced projects. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how to measure stuff without using a ruler in woodworking. Good luck, enjoy, and always play it safe!