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
Lady Goats
Tue, 10/18/2011 - 11:07
YAY! I've LOVED this!
But was never really motivated to figure it out because it looked too tough! THANK YOU!
RHgaijin2
Wed, 10/30/2019 - 19:53
I just completed this and…
I just completed this and made a step by step video. I also posted my brag post too. Mine is the one with the Batman Theme
https://youtu.be/-1gZv50vfN4
Francoise
Tue, 10/18/2011 - 16:49
My dream desk!
I am thrilled. I am delighted. I love this Crate and Barrel desk but couldn't stand the idea of paying over $600 for it. It's the reason I decided to take up woodworking again and then I couldn't find any patterns. Thank you!
LAMD (not verified)
Tue, 10/18/2011 - 18:17
Glass Top?
I've been looking for a table with "X" legs and a glass top and am so excited about this plan. Do you think this would support a glass top? If not, any way to reinforce it so it does? Thanks!
Hillary (not verified)
Tue, 10/18/2011 - 18:39
Glass top
I bet it would be fine if you used at least 1/4" glass and did both the front and back aprons. Maybe even one more support across the middle, parallel to the aprons? You could probably show the plan to your local glass store and get a good answer.
In reply to Glass top by Hillary (not verified)
Ana White
Wed, 10/19/2011 - 09:51
Couldn't say it better than
Couldn't say it better than Hillary did!
LAMD (not verified)
Tue, 10/18/2011 - 18:48
Good idea, thanks! I checked
Good idea, thanks! I checked and a 1/2" thick piece would weigh about 70 lbs. Will definitely look into it.
Stephen (not verified)
Thu, 10/20/2011 - 18:36
PDF file
Rut Roh, I think something went wrong. The link to the PDF file is throwing this error.
TCPDF ERROR: [Image] Unable to get image: file:///home/anawhite/public_html/dev/acquia-drupal-1.2.33/sites/default/files/x%20desk%20pottery%20barn%20crate%20barrel%20plans%203.jpg?1318959564
BTW, I love this desk. I can finally gift this cheap Walmart one I've been using and make a REALLY good and sturdy one.
Thank You.
Guest (not verified)
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 05:51
hey id like to modify the
hey id like to modify the design a bit because i already have the panel for a desktop but im a first timer and quite terrible at design. the size of my board is 29 1/2 x 61 (inches)and i dont know how this affects the angles of the legs which is mymain problem
jesmith11 (not verified)
Fri, 06/08/2012 - 21:04
Adding a plank top
Hello! I love this plan for a desk and think I may have to craftsy soon! Just curious, would there be anyway anyone could think of to make this desk with planks across the top? As a novice builder, I wasn't sure if you could just attach planks to the top without taking away the look of the desk. I am looking for a farmhouse top to the desk I guess. Any thoughts? Thank you for the design!
Jennifer@The C… (not verified)
Fri, 07/27/2012 - 14:51
Brilliant Carpentress
Ana, if you lived in Boston, MA instead of AK I'd track you down and kiss you right now! I love building furniture from scratch and have been working on a set of x-leg stools the past few days and the assembly part has been giving me fits. Just couldn't get the legs together sturdily enough to bear weight. And then I came to this plan, and ah-hah! There is the solution! Thanks so much for sharing your expertise with the world - you've saved me a weekend full of frustration and brain wracking.
anniemar
Thu, 01/22/2015 - 08:04
Love this plan
I love the look of this desk and trying to decide between this and the fancy X desk. Is this desk sturdy? Any wobbling? I'm also think about doing 3 drawers across the front instead of just one large one. The drawers would probably make it a bit more difficult though. Thank you for the feed back!
Phhiggins
Tue, 08/18/2020 - 09:21
X Desk with Drawer
I love this desk and all of Ana White's plans! I may be missing something, but photo of the drawer only shows 3 sides and I did not see anything in the cut list for the front of the drawer box. I also didn't see anything for the drawer front. Is there not a drawer front cut piece?