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
Tsu Dho Nimh
Fri, 02/22/2013 - 08:41
Cut list is WRONG!
You are missing the 1x4 for the inner horizontal shelf ...
DomesticDiva11
Thu, 04/18/2013 - 13:45
How long does this take to
How long does this take to make?
kongk
Tue, 05/21/2013 - 05:53
Generally I do not read
Generally I do not read article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, very great post.
W3BZ Advice
Al Lulu
Fri, 06/07/2013 - 16:06
Dumb screw question
Ana, because I love your plans I went out and bought a kreg jig.
So here is my dumb question. The plan calls for 2 inch nails but if I use a crate chick and use 2 inch pocket screws it goes right through both boards. What size Kreg screws and I supposed to use for this plan? I finished it with 2 inch Phillips and that was fine. Had to make some adjustments since not everything lined up the way I wanted.
But since you love the Kreg can you tell me the screw answer?
clloyd7
Fri, 01/30/2015 - 22:23
Pocket Hole Screws
I realize this thread is old, but I figured I'd answer in case anyone else was looking for the answer to this question. Pocket hole screws are sized based upon the material thickness the screw will be used in. The screw length to material thickness charts are typically on the Kreg screw boxes. If not, your pocket hole jig set should have included a list.
For reference, you can find the information and a handy illustration here: http://www.kregtool.com/files/newsletters/kregplus/Images/february12/se…
clloyd7
Fri, 01/30/2015 - 22:23
Pocket Hole Screws
I realize this thread is old, but I figured I'd answer in case anyone else was looking for the answer to this question. Pocket hole screws are sized based upon the material thickness the screw will be used in. The screw length to material thickness charts are typically on the Kreg screw boxes. If not, your pocket hole jig set should have included a list.
For reference, you can find the information and a handy illustration here: http://www.kregtool.com/files/newsletters/kregplus/Images/february12/se…
Al Lulu
Fri, 06/07/2013 - 16:07
Crate chick was autocorrect
Crate chick was autocorrect for Kreg Jig.
KELLY JONES
Sat, 12/07/2013 - 21:56
MISSED SOMETHING
Hi Ana,
I am in love with this design and I have bought all the materials to make two of them for the children I nanny for. After sitting down to make sure I had all my material before jumping in I realized i was missing the 22 ½ inch 1x4 that is need to make the shelf above the paper roll. After looking back I noticed that it is also missing in the cut list. So I was not sure if somewhere I missed something while reading. Any help would be FANTASTIC!!
nettibug60
Sun, 03/01/2015 - 21:03
Flip Down Desk
I have home-schooled mine as well as other peoples children. We had desks similar to this in our former home and are making these for our current home. We had a couple questions. We noticed on the cut list, it did not include the board at the bottom just above the dowel for paper. This bring about another question, if a person puts in this board/shelf (which we did put in), there would be no room for the hinge you are suggesting. Can you tell me how we can have the shelf, dowel for paper and use that hinge?
LanaiLynne
Tue, 05/12/2015 - 15:18
Kids' Art Desk
I just came across this on a search for something similar in which to keep my MANY herbal supplements and night-time meds -- thanks so very much! I plan to add shelves inside to best-fit my bottles, and will make it taller overall to hold more of the same!
I will leave upper shelves open -- that is, the desk/counter surface will only cover the lower portion of the unit ... to reduce weight, primarily, though I will also use exposed shelves for knick-knack display.
I tend to clutter my kitchen counters with supplements because I want to be close to the refrig in case I need more liquid mid-swallow! Any time I can go vertical for storage, count me in! Thanks for posting this.
konadreamer
Wed, 06/29/2016 - 17:48
Cut list missing a piece...
Aloha Ana,
I built this desk this weekend and the cut list was short one piece...luckily I had some extra 1 x 4 laying around! Might be good to adjust the PDF for future builders.
The 22 1/2 " length of the 1x4 was missing.
Ktapcoup
Mon, 02/19/2018 - 05:17
Attaching to wall
Confidently safely attach the shelving part to the wall? Did you use brackets underneath? Thank you.
Ktapcoup
Mon, 02/19/2018 - 05:18
That was supposed to say,
That was supposed to say, "how did you safely..."