The basic tool kit
For every project below you need: a circular saw or a good hand saw with a miter box, a cordless drill and driver, a few bar clamps, a random-orbit sander, a tape measure, a speed square, wood glue and screws. Safety glasses, hearing protection and a dust mask are part of the kit, not extras.
First weekend: build confidence
| 1. Cutting board | One board, sanding and a food-safe oil finish. Teaches careful sanding and finishing. About 2 hours. |
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| 2. Simple wall shelf | A board and two brackets or a cleat. Teaches measuring, leveling and finding studs. About 2 hours. |
| 3. Tool tote | Two ends, two sides, a bottom and a dowel handle. Teaches square cuts and screwed butt joints. Half a day. |
| 4. Birdhouse | Six pieces from one fence board. A classic project to build with grandchildren. Half a day. |
Next: useful pieces for the home
| 5. Step stool | A sturdy two-step stool. Teaches accurate angled cuts and strong glue joints. One day. |
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| 6. Shoe rack | Two sides and slats. Repetitive cuts teach you to set up a stop block. One day. |
| 7. Picture frames | Miter joints, the first real test of precision. Make several; the third will be your best. |
| 8. Floating bookshelf | A hidden cleat or bracket. Teaches clean assembly and finishing. One day. |
Then: projects to be proud of
| 9. Raised garden bed | Easier on knees and back than ground beds. Use untreated cedar or other rot-resistant wood. One day. |
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| 10. Garden bench | A simple, solid design from 2x4s. A weekend. |
| 11. Adirondack chair | Curved cuts and angled assembly; the classic "I made this" project. A weekend or two. |
| 12. Workbench | A better bench makes every later project easier. A weekend. |
Where to get good plans
The biggest source of frustration for beginners is not skill; it is a plan with missing measurements or skipped steps. Look for plans that include a cutting list, a materials list and step-by-step drawings. Free plans from tool makers and home-center websites are a fine start. If you expect to build many projects, a large plan library can save time; our Ted's Woodworking review explains what one popular library includes, what it costs and its 60-day refund.
Shop safety, especially after 50
Wear eye and hearing protection every time. Use a push stick and the blade guard on any table saw, and never reach over a spinning blade. Add bright task lighting over your bench, because our eyes need more light with age. Keep blades sharp, clamp your work instead of holding it, and take breaks: most accidents happen when you are tired. If you take blood thinners, talk to your doctor about extra care with sharp tools.
The bottom line
Start small, finish what you start, and pick projects you will use every day. By the time you reach the Adirondack chair, you will have the skills and the confidence to build almost anything.