A project that utilizes all tools?

[Brian Penning]

I'm looking for suggestions for a beginner's project that would use most, if not all, woodworking tools/machinery.
A distant friend would like to come for a visit and have me to take 4-5 days to teach him woodworking basics, the use of the machinery most of us use, and how to set up a shop. At the same time he'd like to go home with a completed project.
Only idea I've come up with so far is a small cabinet with a raised panel door.
I do have a fairly well equipped shop so I just need a good project.
Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

[Brent Smith]

Hi Bri,

How about taking your cabinet idea a step further, into a spice cabinet with an ornamental detail on the back board. This will use pretty much every machine in your shop:
Planer and Jounter for stock prep.
Tablesaw for ripping and crosscuting and tenons.
Drill Press and forstner bit for spice bottle settings.
Bandsaw for ornamental top.
Mortiser for panel doors.
Spindle sander to finish top.
DT jig for cabinet construction.

Plus various handtools through out.

[Joe Scharle]

A Gerstner tool box may be the thing.

[Don Bullock]

Brian,
I took a five day class on furniture making at a Woodcraft store. During the class I made this Shaker end table from cherry.

CHERRY_TABLE_1_net-600x560.jpg

The tools used:
table saw
miter saw
band saw
jointer
planer
drill press
sander
DC and shopvac

We did everything but sanding, finishing and attaching the top in the class. I finished it up at home. This piece was my first "furniture" project in over twenty years, but was easy to do. I've seen many Internet sources for plans to make a similar table.

[Bill White]

seems like I use everything in my shop even if I'm sharpening a pencil. Must be doing something wrong?
Bill

[Jim Kountz]

seems like I use everything in my shop even if I'm sharpening a pencil. Must be doing something wrong?
Bill

This was funny, exactly what I was thinking!!

[Robby Tacheny]

I would definitely consider a project with at least one drawer. Make him use chisels and a saw for handcut half-blind dovetails. I wish I had more experience with them myself.

I think that shaker table above looks like a good project. I just watched one being made on American Woodworker this weekend and it utilizes a good bit of tools. Also make him glue up the top out of at least three pieces. Glue-ups are very intimidating for a beginner and a bit of god advice will go a long way.

Or. . .

Have him build a nice workbench for himself! If he wants to start woodworking there is nothing better that he could start off with and he might use it for the next 10 years or more. He could spend as little as $100 or spend a bit more and get vices and maybe a drawer or two.

Make him have fun though and make him do it all. Don't cut a single thing for him.

-R

[Reed Wells]

A skyscraper????

[Gary Breckenridge]

I'd go with three projects.
1. A simple wood box with hinges, handle and hasp.
2. A childs toy or a picture frame.
3. An end table or small cabinet.

[Brian Clevenger]

I have to agree with building a solid workbench. It will set him on his way to being able to do and learn a lot more than would a simple project.

[Jim Sears]

It sounds like a great idea and a lot of fun. Just don't overwhelm him with everything. Good luck and have fun

[Ed Sallee]

I am currently on the tail end of building this little project...



It is from WOOD Magazine, September 2006. As simple as it looks, it presents a lot of challenges. A total of 28 - 90 degree corners to be mitered, which equates to 56 - 45's. Not to mention the exacting measurements for the adjustable glass shelves and "mirror" image placement of the magnetic catches.

Tools I used:

Table Saw
Planer
Router
Band Saw
Drill Press

Suprisingly fun project to build and will put your "attention to detail" to the test....

Here's where it sits today.... Wormy American Chestnut.