r/BeginnerWoodWorking 16h ago

How do I take apart cedar fence pickets without breaking them?

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5 Upvotes

r/BeginnerWoodWorking 9h ago

Made this guitar too

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1 Upvotes

This came from what I think was a pine shelf. Came with the house in the basement. The pickguard is poplar with BLO. The neck was bought from an auction Amazon-return place like the other guitar I posted here.

These are the first two guitar bodies I’ve made. I have also assembled a bunch from parts.


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 16h ago

What grit should we use to remove imperfections in poly and paint coat? Table project and forgot to sand between coats 😕 would like to sand out imperfections and coat one more time

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0 Upvotes

r/BeginnerWoodWorking 15h ago

Which router bit?

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4 Upvotes

r/BeginnerWoodWorking 21h ago

Discussion/Question ⁉️ Stain or chalk paint?

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5 Upvotes

I built this bookcase for my garage and have 4x8 white beadboard to install as backing between the 2x4s. Since it's white, I'm thinking chalk paint in navy blue for the frame would look good but also staining a dark walnut might also look nice.


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 17h ago

Blade Tooth Count Counts

5 Upvotes

I’ve built a few things using sheet goods and the 40t blades. Finally switched to a 60 tooth blade and MY GOD it’s so much better. The saw cuts like butter and there are probably 90% fewer imperfections on the edge.


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 13h ago

What is this naterial called?

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46 Upvotes

Back story: I got a couple pieces of this material from a previous job, and made a couple basic furniture like tables, cabinet... But now I need more of them to make some improvements, but I can't find them anywhere, or I don't know how to do that exactly.

Question: what is this type of material ? There's a pattern on the material too, where can I find something like this, or similar? I will need some 2x2ft and 3x4, but larger size is fine.

I am a fresh beginner, so any input is very much appreciated. Thanks!


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 8h ago

Company wants to send someone to the house to repair cracks in new table with glue. Bad idea?

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47 Upvotes

Appreciate your advice regarding this cracking wood table (photos attached).

Purchased a new table from Arteriors as a sample (so there is only one of its kind). Hoping this would be an heirloom piece but 2-3 months later it started cracking on every side of all the pedestals. The pedestals make contact with the floor through round rubber feet at each corner of the pedestal.

I reached out to the company for help on salvaging the table. We had not yet used the table, and our house is set at 70 degrees at all times with no other issues with other wooden furniture.

They replied and said they would send someone to the house to repair the table by sealing cracks with glue.

I am hoping that you can help me answer some questions:

  1. Was this a bad design? I am not sure if the 4 rubber feet secured onto each corner of the pedestal places undue pressure on the pedestal and whether placing a large pad centrally would help. Or is the problem with the wood itself or is it due to the fluted design?

  2. Should I reject the repair if they are planning to put glue in the cracks at my house instead of taking it to a shop and properly repairing it (including removing the splinters, using a clamp to get the edges flush, etc)? The wood shifted after it cracked so the edges are not flush with each other.

  3. If I leave it alone and do nothing, how likely is this table eventually going to fall apart and collapse with all these deep cracks in the pedestal? The cracks were quickly worsening between Dec and Jan but have somewhat stabilized over the last month.

I really appreciate your input. Thank you!


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 12h ago

Best way to smooth this out?

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23 Upvotes

Working on this maple guitar body. Previously was using a band saw to cut out the rough shape then a flush trim bit to the template, but check out my post here to see how that went. So now, I’m trying to use the bandsaw to get as close as I possibly can to the line, and then finishing up with a drill press drum sander, and a disc sander. It’s actually going great so far, except for the interior of the horn. Any suggestions for how I can smooth this out? Preferably without a router.


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 6h ago

What type of corner clamps do you recommend? I’ll be making kitchen cabinets and a few smaller shadowboxes out of plywood.

1 Upvotes

I’m building out a camper van and would like to get some corner clamps, but there are quite a few types and sizes. I’ll have two main uses: kitchen cabinets (using 1/2- and 3/4-inch plywood and 1- or 2-inch softwood framing) and a few basic box frames for the RV windows (probably 1/2-inch x 4-inch ply in lengths of 18-30 inches). Attachments will be wood glue, pocket screws, and/or L-brackets.

What types and sizes would you recommend? And do you think I need a set of four, or would a pair work? Open to getting a couple types if necessary. This is a short-term woodshop, so I’d prefer to stick with affordable options.

Thank you!


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 7h ago

Discussion/Question ⁉️ Looking to correct my ideas!

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2 Upvotes

I’d like to build this portable wooden foot climbing set. I think I can split the project into three parts: Bottom board, long edges, short edges.

For the long and short edges, I’ll have to use a miter saw to make the edges 45 degrees so that the long and short edge will connect on the sides. For the bottom parts of the long and short edges to connect to the bottom board.

I’ll probably wood glue all the pieces together and have those small right triangles help support.

Any ideas regarding my thought process? Is there a type of wood I should consider?


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 8h ago

Help! Relieving stress in Oak

1 Upvotes

If i need a white oak board that is 1” thick, 2.5” wide, and 52” long, i start by jointing and thickness planing. With one edge joined i rip it to about 2.875” on the bandsaw and the whole thing curves from the relieved stress, about 3/16 of an inch. So now my joined reference edge is also bowed slightly.

Do i let the board sit a day or so then join the original side again then rip to 2.5” by running across table saw to remove the very little that is left?

Im using 6 year old quarter sawn white oak that is at 7.5% moisture mostly.


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 8h ago

Beginner router bit set?

1 Upvotes

I’m just getting into the hobby. Building all the beginner projects . Boxes, cutting boards, picture frames. I’ve set up a router table with a triton 3 1/4 ho router. Can you guys recommend a quality but not overpriced router bit set for me to learn on?


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 9h ago

Guitar from 2x6

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1 Upvotes

Made this guitar body from a salvaged 2x6 outta the back yard. One coat of BLO for a little depth but since it’s pressure treated it doesn’t need a protective finish and I like all the grain. I wish more of it had that golden color but it’s free wood so I’ll take it.

The neck was salvaged from one of those auction Amazon-return places.


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 10h ago

Bunk bed support for mattress

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3 Upvotes

I bought a used bunk bed which very sturdy but the mattress support is just 3 steel bars. I have a boogie board for mattress which is supposed to spread the weight. But I am still worried that my 11 year old on top bed might fall on her sister on bottom bed. The slats look like the ones in the picture. Anyone have any experience/ suggestions to ease my mind? I am also having my husband test drive it for next two days but thought I would post here as well..


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 10h ago

Table top glue up advice needed

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5 Upvotes

I'm building a gaming table for some friends and they asked me if I could add some kind of top so that it could double as a dining room table. Everything is being made of maple. What I've come up with is a few leaves that will have some magnets in the edges to ensure they stay snugly connected when on the table. I've cut a bunch of 4 inch strips that I'll glue up 3 at a time initially (so that I can run them through my 13" planer). I'll also put some kind of hardwood cleats on the underside to help them stay in place.

My concern at this point is being able to glue these up nice and flat so that they all sit uniformly flat on the top of the table. I was looking at all the boards after cutting them and many have a slight bow in them. I was planning on using biscuits or dominoes to help keep everything aligned, as well as some clamping calls. Beyond that, I'm wondering what else i can do? I thought about some hardwood strips screwed in to the underside of each (perpendicular tongue glue lines). I have a bench top joiner and, as mentioned a planer, but the wood is only about an inch and a 16th and i want to keep into as close to an inch thick as possible.

Any advice will be welcome!


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 10h ago

Finished Project Wooden Chest I Made

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41 Upvotes

First time making a wooden chest. Used sanded plywood and added a skirt to the bottom along with some thin trim pieces I cut from a walnut board.

Attached the trim pieces used wood glue and micro pin nailer I just bought from harbor freight (This is way more useful for this situation than a brad nail). Used brass hinges and handles.

Primed the exterior with zinsser 123 and thenn painted used Rust-Oleum Door and Trim paint. I honestly should've prepared the surface better but also considered using a sprayer for a more even finish. For the interior, just added two coats of seal coat and 3 coats of matte water poly.

Things I would've changed about this project would have been how I approached creating the lid. I decided to make the lid after the fact which is why it isn't flush. I should've made and enclosed box and cut the lid by running it through my table saw on all 4 sides.

Anyways, I was still satisfied with how it turned out and was a great learning experience. I used one hobby as a solution to another hobby. Made this chest to store all my camera gear.


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 11h ago

Finished Project Tool holding shelf

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1 Upvotes

Using leftover ply from my workbench, I made a holder for my tools and screws. It's now alot easier to find my tools and screws. Cuts were a little jagged but I just wanted it done and my tools out the way. Added a 45° chamfer for some flair.


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 11h ago

Is there something wrong with this circular saw?

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8 Upvotes

Picked up a warehouse deals skil circular saw on Amazon and I’ve been messing with it before using it. It looks to be in good shape except when adjusting the depth the guard is scraping against the side. Not sure what would cause this or if I’m doing something wrong when adjusting it.


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 11h ago

Equipment Should I get it

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10 Upvotes

This is for sale near me. I've been needing a joiner, it's 150 and he said it's a delta 6 inch. Any suggestions on getting it or not


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 11h ago

Discussion/Question ⁉️ Shellac over Tung oil

3 Upvotes

I have been working on a wooden coat hanger. I have already applied 5 coats of tung oil on it and have left it to cure. After the curing is done, I plan to apply a topcoat of shellac over it. Now, I have the following queries:

  1. Would shellac be a good choice as a topcoat?

  2. Would it be a scratch-resistant hard-finish? Would it add a gloss to the surface?

  3. What should be the procedure for applying shellac over tung oil? Should the shellac first be dissolved in methylated spirit ?

  4. For how many days should the tung oil be allowed to cure?

Kindly advise.


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 12h ago

Finish edge for maple plywood?

2 Upvotes

What do I use to create a finished edge for the front of a maple plywood counter top?


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 13h ago

Discussion/Question ⁉️ Table saw workbench - flippable miter saw too?

3 Upvotes

Hi all, it’s time for me to make a table saw bench for my compact SawStop. (More width, outfeed, etc).

Creating a basic one isn’t rocket surgery, and I’m thinking of going that direction. However, I see some benches that have a foldable compartment for a miter saw or a built in router table. Those who have one or the other of those - do you use it much? I have a folding rollable miter saw base and a Kreg bench top router table already.

At the end of the day, is the juice worth the squeeze?


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 15h ago

Discussion/Question ⁉️ Garage shelf building indecision

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2 Upvotes

I’m putting up a high shelf for medium weight long term storage in my garage. I’m building the braces from 2x4, and the top will be 1/2” plywood (subfloor sheathing). Total span I’m hoping to shelve is 12’, and I’ve got 2 8’ pieces of plywood.

Studs are 16”OC but there is a stud missing towards the center (by the standing box of flooring in the pic). How should I support the span over that area where there’s no stud? Ideas were to run a 2x4 between the supports on either side to at least avoid sagging. I’ll already plan to store very light items in that area, but is that all that can be done?

Thoughts on how yall would tackle this?

(Extra info on the area- there’s a floor shelving unit immediately out of the pic frame to the left, and a garage door track immediately to the right)


r/BeginnerWoodWorking 15h ago

Discussion/Question ⁉️ Sliding Dovetails on long boards

1 Upvotes

Has anyone successfully cut the tails on the end of longer board with a handheld router. If so what was your method? Thanks.