3 practical woodworking tips for beginners

Here's a bit of advice I would have given to myself 10 years ago: don't think you need all the toys to make furniture. Just make things. You'll figure it out along the way. And so, in the vein, here are three practical tips for new woodworkers, just the same kind that I was a decade ago. I hope this is helpful, friends.

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Items I use in this video (some are affiliate links which help sponsor this content):

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Items I keep on hand in the shop:
Glue:

Power Tools and Accessories:

Sharpening:

My Finish Mix:

TotalBoat Epoxy:

You can stay up to date with my work here:

[jeffreyjennings]

Start small, take risks, minimize loss, and learn. Best advice ever.

[MikeyDonna]

I sit here smiling and thinking, this is me over the years. Everything you said not to do, i did . I work 90% of the time on my patio just outside my 8x10 ft shed . I have to drag my stuff, including a bench out door for every projects. I spend more time moving than working, but you know, I still love it. We live in a small Mobil home in an rv resort . I’m retired, 83 years old and love the small projects as do my neighbors who keep me busy doing handy work for them, I even made an Urn for a neighbor who died. I have long ago learned, “Small well done is better than Big trash”, plus small nice material is better than big bad”. You, my friend are wise beyond your years.

[jesusislord]

As a mediocre hobby woodworker who has spent my life collecting tools for my shop very slowly, your video is spot on! I suggest a follow-up providing advice on where to find wood to work with, what types are out there, and, in general, what should be used for what (soft wood, hard wood, sheet goods, 2x4s, rough-cut lumber, etc).

[Control-Freak]

When I started I was getting every used power tool I could. I then built a Moravian bench using mostly hand tools. I flattened the top using a Stanley #5 I picked up for $20.00. I enjoyed it so much I sold the jointer to free up space since I learned to use hand planes. Most of my projects are about maximizing my limited shed space of 10' x 16'. One tool that I would recommend is a band saw. I did get a SawStop job site saw for safety reasons but rarely use it. It stays folded up since I discovered I prefer grabbing a handsaw, it can be faster than unfolding, setting up, starting dust collection, finding ear & eye protection etc.

[johnhorner]

Thank you for the excellent perspective. One more tip for folks: Don't be afraid to acquire good used equipment. It takes some knowledge of how to look at said equipment, but there are a huge number of things available, sadly often due to a person dying, which will work well. Often times the older stuff was made to a higher standard than is much of what is for sale new today.

[MatchaMakesThings]

I love the idea of "contractor grade" as a vocab. It sets precedent and expectations. There are some REALLY skilled people using cheaper things.

[jazzgod]

one thing i did early on... didn't charge labor. i knew i was learning, would make mistakes. but with Family and close friends, if they bought the wood\materials, i made it for free. They knew i was not a pro, but they were essentially paying for me to learn and practice. eventually, most started giving me extra money. and now i feel comfortable charging.

[AkosLukacs]

You forgot a big heavy duty truck! You just can't haul all the lumber you _need_ in something like a Prius! :P

[jerrybyrd]

Again, after watching many people on you tube, what I really enjoy about your videos is the way you relate to where I am in the journey and process. Thank you and keep it up. You are appreciated.

[theofarmmanager]

I’m at the other end of a woodworking journey. Got all the right tools in a large workshop. Just a nearly broken body and lack of energy holds me back. Anyway, learning from my journey, my start up tool list would be:

1. Decent bench. Doesn’t have to be permanent; good saw horses with 4” x 2” stretchers is fine
2. Basic hand tools. Tenon saw, chisels, mallet, rulers and tape measures
3. Sharpening kit. Scary sharp is low barrier entry and works well
4. Track saw with 90 degree fence attachment. With that, you can rip and cross cut anything
5. Bench top thicknesser . This allows you to finesse the timber you buy
6. Battery drill
7. Dowel jig, pocket screw jig

Then learn precision, patience and get experience.

[garypickup]

I’m 7 months into my woodworking journey and this was really inspiring to me. Thank u dude. 🤙

[baraksinz]

My DeWalt contractor saw will cut 6/4 hardwood no problem with a good ripping blade. There is something beautiful and satisfying about making do with the tools that you have. I have to remind myself to stop wishing for better tools and just stinkin’ make something! 🙂

[jcsrst]

As a lifelong finish carpenter I agree completely, except re-sawing with a sawzall, my least favorite tool to work with😂 ALSO don't feel bad about not having all the fancy equipment that the wood working YouTubers have!! Remember they frequently get paid or given tools by manufacturers.

[nikolausreinke]

Totally agree. I was fiddling with dovetail boxes made out of hand-planed scrap. For instance.
Then I had to do some rough work at the attic. And guess what. No problem to saw recesses, plane pieces to thickness and so on. Not afraid to screw it up. Because I knew I could even be sloppy (in comparison) and it would fit. Having sawn and chiseled to a grade of much higher precision before, I was confident to handle this larger scale project without a doubt.
Not to mention the insight into wood and it’s capabilities and flaws itself.
Start „small“. And then scale it up with ease. Same with tools.

[diy-hyrum]

Dust collection is totally a luxury item. Long protection is huge! But you can get a respirator for $30-40. Same result

[michaelbauer]

I agree with what you said... I am a former carpenter that has slowly converted a 1 car garage (I walled off a portion of my 3 car garage) into a very functional wood shop. I had to make a few compromises along the way (for example, I have a 6" jointer and lunch box planer), but I have everything that I need (including a cabinet saw) to make almost anything that I feel like tackling. The key in a small shop is maintaining a flexible middle space and being selective in what you "need". For example, my 32" x 48" assembly table is almost always set up as a "wing" to my main workbench, but it can be folded up and hung on the wall If I want to make a larger table (for this I break out the saw horses). I will never have a lathe or CNC and that is OK... I can purchase pre-turned legs and learned to use templates for unique/repeatable pieces.

[mattgoodstadt]

I WISH I had a shed 😂
Great video Erik. Really encouraging to someone much older than you, yet much much younger in woodworking.
FWIW I quite like those boxes.

[williamshaffer]

Mr. Prius Man you are spot on in your approach to woodworking. Erik you are a master craftsman. Your advice and approach is very refreshing to hear and see. Loved the jewelry box you made for your mom. Best thing I tell young woodworkers is LEARN to sharpen your hand tools. Keep on doing what you do bud. Semper Fi brother.

[christopherharrison]

I started with hand tools, circular saw and a bench/after I built it 😊

[slowrelease]

I'd gladly see your earlier projects and hear what you'd like to improve upon in them!