Woodworking is the art and craft of making things from wood. It is a hobby that can bring you joy, satisfaction, and usefulness. Woodworking can help you improve your skills, express your creativity, and connect with others. To get started, you need some basic tools, some wood, and some plans. You can find many resources online or in books to guide you along the way. Woodworking is a hobby that can enrich your life in many ways.
Woodworking
as a hobby
AKA: Carpentry
Related Hobbies: Whittling
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Woodworking is a most satisfying pastime, so varied and multifaceted you will never complete the twin processes you have undertaken: acquiring tools and learning how to use them. You have begun a lifetime pursuit.
Michael Dunbar
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We curated content to familiarize you with woodworking as a hobby and to inspire and help you get started.
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Woodworking is a beneficial hobby for your physical and mental health. Woodworking can help you improve your hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. Woodworking can also reduce stress, boost your mood, and enhance your self-esteem. Woodworking can be a relaxing and rewarding activity.
Basic lingo for orientation.
- Board foot: a unit of measurement for lumber, equal to 144 cubic inches or 12 x 12 x 1 inch.
- Chamfer: a cut that removes a corner or edge of a piece of wood at an angle.
- Dado: a groove cut across the grain of a piece of wood.
- Dowel: a cylindrical piece of wood used to reinforce joints or align parts.
- Grain: the direction and pattern of the fibers in a piece of wood.
- Kerf: the width of the cut made by a saw blade.
- Miter: an angled cut at the end of a piece of wood, usually 45 degrees, to form a corner.
- Mortise and tenon: a type of joint where a projecting piece of wood (tenon) fits into a hole or slot (mortise) in another piece of wood.
- Rabbet: a recess or step cut along the edge or end of a piece of wood.
- Rip cut: a cut that runs parallel to the grain of a piece of wood.
- Sanding sealer: a type of finish that fills the pores and smooths the surface of the wood before applying another finish.
- Spline: a thin strip of wood inserted into grooves in two pieces of wood to join them.
- Tongue and groove: a type of joint where one piece of wood has a protruding edge (tongue) that fits into a corresponding groove in another piece of wood.
- Wood filler: a substance used to fill gaps, cracks, or holes in wood.
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How to break the ice and make a start. One Aha! moment is all you need.
You have several options for a first step in woodworking:
- Visit a Local Store: Visit a woodworking store, lumberyard, home improvement store, or tool library near you. There, you can explore the different types of wood and tools available and get a feel for what interests you. You can also interact with the staff and other woodworkers, who can offer helpful advice and recommendations on beginner-friendly projects and materials.
- Start Small: Begin with some leftover wood and tools you might already have. Consider starting with whittling, for example.
- Plan Your Project: If you have a project idea in mind, plan and sketch it out; you might even use 3D modeling software. This will help you understand what tools and supplies you need, which can otherwise be overwhelming.
- Explore Tutorials: If you don’t have a specific idea, you can follow YouTube tutorials for easy beginner projects.
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Essentials to have.
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Further reading.
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Go-tos for information.
- FineWoodworking – Expert advice on woodworking
- Popular Woodworking | Woodworking advice, plans, projects and blogs
- Sawinery – #1 Woodworking Education Resource
- The Weekend Woodworker
- The World’s Leading Woodworking Resource | Wood Magazine
3D Modeling Software
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Woodworking is an eco-friendly hobby that can help you reduce waste and save resources. Woodworking can help you reuse and recycle wood materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Get a clue.
What tools do I need to get started?
Some common essential woodworking tools are listed in the products section, but each project may require different tools.
It might be a good idea to first choose and plan what you want to do by sketching or using 3D modeling software. You will then have a better understanding of what tools and supplies are required for your project.
💡 TIP: Look for tool libraries near you, where you can lend tools and also get advice and help.
Do I need a workshop?
No, you can get started in a garage, basement, or small workspace. You only need enough space for your essential tools.
What kind of wood should I use?
For beginners, oak, maple, pine, and MDF (medium-density fiberboard) are good options. They are easy to work with and inexpensive.
What projects should I consider for woodworking?
Some beginner projects include cutting boards, birdhouses, picture frames, shelves, and stools. There are great YouTube tutorials for beginner projects.
Do I need to have prior experience in woodworking to start as a hobby?
No, you don’t need prior experience. You can start with beginner-level projects and gradually increase the difficulty level as you gain more experience.
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- Courses | The Weekend Woodworker
- Free Videos | WoodWorkers Guild of America
- Learn – Sawinery
- Woodworking For Beginners: Source, Design, and Sculpt With Confidence | Anne Briggs | Skillshare
- Woodworking Fundamentals with George Vondriska BUNDLE – 3 Classes & Book | Craftsy
- Woodworking Masterclasses with Paul Sellers
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Additional advice for beginners.
- Tool libraries are a great resource for woodworkers in some cities. You can borrow tools, get help, advice and maybe even take some classes. It is also an economical option, both for your pocket and the environment.
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| Skills | Analytical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Creativity, Decision-making, Fine Motor Skills, Hand-eye Coordination, Innovation, Mathematical Skills, Memory, Mindfulness, Patience, Perseverance, Planning, Problem Solving, Resourcefulness, Spatial Ability, Time Management |