Woodworking Plans & Projects

Whether you work for a jolly guy in a red suit or simply enjoy handcrafting your gifts, the holiday season calls for some time in the shop — starting now. Our Club forum woodworkers offer these ideas for projects that make worthy gifts

Club Member Jean Lewis asks: The board that I'm using for the top of a cabinet has a large hole; it looks like a branch of the tree was connected at that point. I'd like to use a clear filler that preserves the hole so we can appreciate its depth and texture. What's the best approach?

Few things in nature have as much character as wood. From the delicate features of lacewood to the satiny elegance of sycamore to the rich warmth of mahogany and padauk, your choices can be close to endless. However, unless you're content to always work with just the few pre-dressed species (such as pine, poplar or red oak) found at your average home center, you'll need to know how to mill — or true — rough lumber.

A ruined desk, a splintered chair, a stack of baseboard, an old five-panel door — who among us doesn't have some neglected wooden item stashed in a corner of the garage or basement? Where your eyes may see an old door, let your imagination see a new piece of furniture fashioned from the door parts.

Manufactured legs and hardware make building a coffee table easy.

A good option to buying moldings off the shelf or having them custom-made at a millwork shop is to cut your own in your own shop.

Nothing sparks conversation like a crackling fire. For those times when there's no fire in the hearth, your fireplace can still be the focal point of the room if it's outfitted with an attractive fireplace surround.

If you're attracted to the idea of building your own fireplace mantel structure but don't have the time or experience to undertake something complex , here's a nice compromise.

The fireplace is the focal point of your living room, and the mantel is its crowning glory. That makes building your own mantel an obvious choice to show off your woodworking and carpentry skills.

How to Cut a Taper with a Table Saw and Taper Jig.