How is your woodworking hobby progressing? If you have gained some experience as a DIY carpenter, it might be the right moment to increase the difficulty level. Consider larger and more intricate projects instead of focusing on building bird houses. Additionally, for added enjoyment, you could also explore the idea of incorporating more powerful woodworking tools into your practice.
Once you have mastered the fundamentals of woodworking and completed the intermediate woodworking projects mentioned in this list, you will be ready to advance beyond simple creations like a cutting board or coat rack. If you are seeking woodworking project ideas that will challenge your abilities, you can stop your search here. We have compiled a convenient list of 10 exceptional wood projects specifically designed for more experienced woodworkers.
1. Hexagon Picnic Table
Objets Mecanique proposes a woodworking project that we concur would require precise measurements, discerning vision, and proficient skill. Six sizable bench seats are connected to create a hexagonal shape, with an additional hexagonal tabletop placed on top. This design appears intricate and serves as an interesting topic for conversation during your upcoming picnic or brunch gatherings in your home garden with friends.
2. Bunk Bed
If you have a children’s room that lacks space, a bunk bed is an ideal solution. It allows for more room for the children to play in the available floor area, avoiding the feeling of being cramped that comes with having two separate beds in the room.
3. A Prairie-Style Lamp
Why not challenge yourself with an elaborate project that involves cutting angles and creating exposed joints? The end result will be an exquisite piece of home decor for your household.
4. A Student or Employee Workstation
One more obstacle is to create furniture that can function as a fully operational workstation. You have the option to construct your own desk featuring a retractable keyboard tray, along with shelves on top for storing books, a desktop computer, and other necessary items. As you are building it from scratch, you have the opportunity to completely personalize the product to cater to your individual requirements.
5. Desk Caddy
Creating an organizer can be quite difficult due to the presence of multiple compartments. However, if you are ready for a more intricate task, you can enhance the aesthetics of your desk by incorporating a desk caddy. Push the boundaries in terms of design by including drawers, holes, and cabinets to efficiently arrange your documents and folders.
6. Stackable Sawhorses
Objets Mecanique also recommends creating a set of stackable sawhorses, which can be conveniently stored in your garage to save space. When in use, these sawhorses can double as a cutting and drilling station for various projects such as painting a door or holding lumber.
7. Wooden Wagon
In today’s digital age, your children will still greatly appreciate a handmade wooden wagon. Its durability ensures it will remain functional for many years without requiring electricity or batteries. Children can use it to navigate your backyard and engage with their pets. Furthermore, this heirloom-quality piece can be passed down through generations, as many woodwork projects can.
8. Workbench
Before anything else, it is necessary to construct a suitable workbench if your primary woodworking setup consists of sawhorses with planks as a top. This task can serve as both a beginner or advanced woodworking project depending on your requirements, allowing for the inclusion of drawers and cubbies to store power tools.
Considering that it prioritizes functionality over aesthetics, using scrap wood or pallet wood is a cost-saving option for constructing the structure and drawers of the workbench. However, we advise against utilizing this approach for the bench top.
To accomplish this task, it is recommended to use a sturdy, dense wooden material. As this is a requirement for nearly all individuals such as woodworkers, handymen, mechanics, or the general population, there is a wide availability of numerous detailed tutorials or woodworking blueprints guiding you through the process.
9. Bed Frame
If you are looking for a DIY carpentry project, a handmade wood bed frame with a headboard might be ideal. It can be customized to fit any size, ranging from twin to king and everything in between. Additionally, you have the freedom to choose any style you desire, whether it be a traditional frame, a mid-century style, or a raised platform. Moreover, online resources offer plans for wood bed frames suitable for beginners as well as experts, ensuring that you will find the perfect fit for your skills.
To successfully complete this project, it is necessary to have ample space in your workshop. Additionally, a high-quality circular saw is essential. Useful supplementary tools may consist of a pocket hole jig and a drill press, especially if you plan on fastening the frame with bolts.
10. Table for dining in a room.
You deserve a dining table that you adore because you will be using it frequently for meals. However, it can be difficult to find the perfect size, shape, and style of table for your room. Therefore, why not consider creating your own? If you have ever visited upscale home decor stores while searching for dining room tables, you are aware that opting for a DIY approach will also significantly reduce your expenses.
The estimated cost for the materials required to construct this pedestal dining room table design is only $100.
If a small round pedestal is not to your liking, you can easily find a wide range of alternative designs by conducting a quick search. These designs include squares, ovals, and rectangles, made from various materials such as solid wood, slatted wood, and planked wood. Additionally, some of these designs are crafted from alder, cherry wood, or even reclaimed wood, which is often sourced from pallets.
If you have experience with basic DIY projects, you are prepared to construct your own dining room table, even though it may be large in physical size, it is not necessarily complex. In just a few days, you can successfully complete this project and start using it for meals.
11. Desk
Creating a desk with contoured edges, drawers, and an elegant finish may appear challenging and time-consuming. However, it does require increased effort and skill. Nonetheless, opting to construct it yourself rather than purchasing one allows you to better cater to your specific requirements and save a significant amount of money.
A DIY desk doesn’t need to be extravagant. You can choose a simple flip-top design like a classic school desk without any drawers. Alternatively, you can make it easier by using reclaimed wood for certain parts or all of the desk, resulting in a unique outcome. However, if you’re prepared for a more complex project that is highly rewarding, you can attempt this Pottery Barn knockoff design.
12. Kitchen Island
Building your own kitchen island is the best way to ensure it meets your needs and style while maximizing functional use. It also elevates the welcoming vibes of your home by adding eat-in space.
If you choose to build a kitchen island from scratch, it will require several days of work due to its complexity. Alternatively, you can simplify the process by repurposing a prebuilt section of base cabinets or an old bookshelf. By utilizing basic tools and investing a few days in tasks such as cutting, bolting, sanding, and painting, you can easily create a new and impressive addition to your kitchen.
13. Infinity Mirror Table
It is possible to purchase a satisfactory manufactured version of the majority of the items mentioned. However, this does not apply to an infinity mirror table. Although there are a few alternatives available on Etsy, it is more enjoyable to construct one yourself.
To experience the illusion of endless lights inside an infinity mirror table, your best option is to embark on a DIY wood project.
To complete this project, ensure you have a router, miter saw, and improving woodworking skills. Allocate a few hundred dollars for materials and dedicate a full day in the shop. Ultimately, you will achieve a captivating coffee table in the ‘70s style, serving as a remarkable centerpiece for your living space.
The scope of this project extends beyond just a coffee table. You can apply the same basic approach to create wall art, end tables, side tables, an entryway table, or numerous other items as well.
14. A set of chess pieces.
If you are looking for another challenging project to showcase your growing woodworking skills, consider constructing a chess set. Even if you are not well-versed in chess, keep in mind that a chessboard can be utilized as a checkerboard as well. Additionally, it presents an excellent gift option.
To create an attractive checkered top, select two different woods such as ash and cherry, which provide a contrasting light and dark color scheme. The board itself is not difficult to make. As for the lathe project, challenge yourself by attempting to work with thicker pieces. Acquire a substantial dowel and start practicing your turning techniques.
By following basic techniques, you can create a simple yet stylish board. Alternatively, if you want to tackle more intricate projects that require advanced skills like dovetailing, you will need a good table saw, miter, clamps, and sanding equipment to aid you in both scenarios.
Tips for Advanced Woodworkers
1. Install proper lighting
To ensure accurate wood cutting, proper lighting must be installed in your garage or workspace due to dealing with more measurements. Not installing lights could potentially ruin your masterpiece.
2. Make your own paste wax
If you create your own materials, you will have better control over your tasks. It is a simple process and should not be daunting. Objets Mecanique suggests using 1 part carnauba wax, four parts beeswax, turpentine, and a tube of universal tinting color. To make the material, start by melting all the waxes together and then add turpentine. Mix well and incorporate the tinting color. Finally, allow the recipe to cool.
3. Dip the tips of push sticks in a liquid coating
To prevent push sticks from slipping on wood surfaces, it is advisable to cover them with a specially designed liquid coat for tool handles. Apply multiple coats to achieve a functional but visually unattractive surface.
