Ask Ana - Woodworking Questions Answered

  1. Yes - many people are starting to make their own furniture to save money and get higher quality pieces.  It is important to find a good plan with detailed diagrams, photos, video tutorial and shopping lists to help you get started making your own furniture.

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  2. 3/4"  or 19mm thick plywood is the standard for building furniture carcasses.  Examples include bookshelf sides, kitchen cabinet sides, dressers carcass and even some coffee tables, end tables and nightstands.  You can 1/4" and 1/2" plywood thicknesses to enclose, but you will need additional framing, as these thicknesses are not structural.

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  3. Douglas Fir.  It's readily available, lasts about as long as cedar, but is much less expensive, and it's a denser wood - so there's less wood shrinkage and expansion, resulting in longer lasting wood joints.

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  4. You can save 50-90% by building your own furniture.

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  5. The best way to start DIYing your own furniture is to pick a beginner project and dive in, and learn as you go. Make sure you pick a good plan that requires minimal tools, with a video tutorial, detailed diagrams, shopping and cut list to help you along the way.

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  6. Beds.  Beds are the must make project in every home because they are easy and forgiving to make, you don't have to add storage or make them food safe or wipe clean-able, they are easy to finish, look amazing, and you can save hundreds if not thousands on every bed you build.

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  7. Building your own furniture is much less expensive than buying - not only is the raw material cost less than even flat pack furniture, DIY furniture, when built right, can last much longer, so you go longer between replacing furniture, saving you more money over time.

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  8. Making furniture follows basic steps - cutting wood, assembly, then adding any trim and details, and finally sanding and painting or staining.

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  9. Making your own furniture is growing in popularity because tools have greatly improved, making the building process easier and faster.  It is not hard to make your own furniture, just make sure you start with a good plan, use the right tools and have an adequate work space, 

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  10. Plywood is an ideal choice for making furniture.  Most high end cabinetry and shelving is built from plywood.  Plywood is best used for case furniture, or furniture that is built starting with a carcass - examples are bookshelves, kitchen cabinets, or dressers.  Plywood is not usually used on frame furniture, like tables, benches, or chairs.

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  11. The simplest way to make your small living room look expensive is to edit the room to a neutrel color scheme.  Then add a matching set of stained wood accent tables - you can build a coffee table and two end tables for about $200.  Add pillows and greenery, and your small living room will look expensive.

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  12. Yes, but different tools and techniques need to be used to respect that the wood is green and will change as it dries. Most green woodworking is done entirely with hand tools.  

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