This was my first attempt at woodworking on this scale, and it was a journey full of learning, problem-solving, and rewarding outcomes.
If you're a beginner or someone looking to tackle their first major woodworking project, I hope this guide inspires and helps you take the plunge. Let's dive into how I built my kitchen bench using simple tools and a modest setup.
What you will need
As a beginner, I didn't have an extensive collection of tools. My goal was to make do with what I had, improvising where necessary.
Tools:
• Handsaw: A rough one for crosscutting and ripping wood
• Fine handsaw: Ideal for precision cuts
• Jigsaw: Optional, but helpful for curved cuts
• Circular saw: I rented this from a home centre for quick rip cuts
• Hand plane: Grandpa's trusty wooden plane turned out to be a star tool for smoothing and shaping wood
• Cordless drill/screwdriver: A worthwhile investment for this and future projects
• Pocket hole jig: I opted for a cost-effective jig instead of a highend Kreg model
• Hammer, chisel, rasp, and sandpaper: Essential for shaping and smoothing Square, pencil, and utility knife: For accurate marking.
Materials:
• Wood: Four discarded cabinet doors (2000 x 500 x 25mm each). They were softwood, likely pine
• Wooden dowels: 10mm diameter, 1000mm long Wood screws: 40 pieces of 4 x 40mm and 20 pieces of 4 x 30mm
• Wood glue: For joining parts
• Bandages: Handy in case of minor mishaps (safety first!).
Step-by-step guide
Step 1: Warming up with confidence projects
Before tackling the bench, I wanted to get comfortable working with wood.
Esta historia es de la edición January/February 2025 de The Home Handyman.
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Esta historia es de la edición January/February 2025 de The Home Handyman.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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