Frequently Asked Questions
Wood Questions
What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!
Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.
What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.
What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.
Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.
Cutting Questions
Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.
How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.
Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.
Joinery Questions
What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.
Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.
How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.
Finishing Questions
Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.
What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.
How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.
Plan Questions
Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.
Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.
Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.
General Questions
What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.
Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.
What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!
What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.
I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.
Care & Maintenance
How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.
How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.
How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.
Want to Build with Confidence?
Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.
Still Have Questions?
Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!
Comments
Tiffany McLeod
Thu, 10/17/2013 - 20:02
Beautiful
This is beautiful! I and my sister are planning to build a pair for her dining room next week.
I have one question: when you say "bevel" you mean cut so the cut spans the wide side of the board, not the narrow side, correct? I mean, I can make these cuts with a circular saw, right?
Kabarie
Thu, 10/31/2013 - 12:46
measurements
Hi there, love this table! I wanted it so built it to fit in my kitchen. So I'm stumped on the angle bit....not sure how to figure it out. The braced areas underneath you have as 30". Well because my bench is shorter and taller mine is at 19"inches...I can't seem to find the right angle to cut them on so I'm going through wood!! is there an equation? Anybody please help! Thanks!!
ken
Wed, 06/25/2014 - 11:53
an angle finder/general protractor
You can find them for not much $$. Some have printed numbers, either way they assist in finding the angle you are working with. Hope this helps.
slogalor
Wed, 06/25/2014 - 12:07
Great Idea
Very good idea to decorate the yard. I wonder if it has to be of any material especially since it rains a lot here to protect from the rain
cmcmassage
Sat, 12/20/2014 - 18:17
Great sturdy bench but...
Some of the measurements are off if you want to use this bench with a (my) dining room table. With these current measurements, the bench is only 15 1/2" high from the ground and while this might work for an outdoor type bench or general seating, I found it was about 1-2" too short for my table. I built this to the stated specs but will end up putting another 10" 2x4 horizontally under each footing to make it tall enough to be comfortable for my dining room table. Alternatively, you could just make your vertical leg pieces an inch or two longer to make up for the height difference; that is, if you found yourself like I did with a bench that was just shy of perfect for my dining room table. Bench is solid and super sturdy and I plan on making another for the other long side of my table. Thanks for the great plans! I'll upload pics once I get it painted/stained. Thanks again.
Laurel lub
Tue, 03/17/2015 - 21:03
Question about the 45 degree angle
I am super new to this and would love if somebody would please tell me how to proceed with cutting the 45 degree bevel off the legs since it has to be 1 inch up and 1 inch out. I can't visualize how to cut that out.
Emilynhok
Fri, 10/16/2015 - 16:11
1st project ever
So simple! I'm officially addicted to building things! My husband got me a miter saw for our anniversary (I think he thought I was nuts) but thanks to all the easy to follow instructions I was able to build a bench! I don't think I'll ever but a piece of furniture again unless it's a couch.
ntschaenn
Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:57
Mistakes and corrections
I believe there are a few mistakes in this plan that made this simple bench unecessarily challenging for me. The cut list says 11" for the leg height noting that the plan measurement incorrectly shows 10. After doing the math i found 10 is indeed correct otherwise you would have to cut the angle at 24.62 degrees. I would immagine you might be able to make 22.5 work but it's going to be off a bit. also the cut list says the parallel cuts at 30" long point to long point which is not only difficult to do but incorrect it turns out. There is no way to make that work without recutting.
Huney
Thu, 05/09/2019 - 08:18
Measurements
After reading the comments on errors in cuts, I'm really hesitant to even begin. Any other comments to refute the measurements of previous poster?
Thanks