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Message
Woodworking tips for a first timer
Posted on 9/8/26 at 3:09 pm
Posted on 9/8/26 at 3:09 pm
I've done a bit of woodworking but other than butcher block countertops it was never anything that had to end up looking good. Mostly rough framing. My wife and I have our first kid on the way and that means that I need to spend $600 and ~400 labor hours on a new closet organizer. I'm considering using these plans so that it has a chance of not looking like something from a Dr Suess book: link to plans.
Other than the Kreg jigs and router I think I have everything covered as far as tools go. I'll be buying what I don't have since I know I won't end up regretting buying more tools. I'm not heavily into wood working so I'm considering getting a cheap Harbor Freight Baur Router and hoping it lasts a few years. I want to be able to do small projects like this here and there as needed in the future.
I'll be shopping around for better prices, this was what I pulled from Home Depot/Harbor Freight.
I've seen some of the things folks here have built and figured y'all could help me avoid mistakes or hold ups from not being prepared. I'll update this thread with pictures as I go along, will probably be starting next weekend.
Other than the Kreg jigs and router I think I have everything covered as far as tools go. I'll be buying what I don't have since I know I won't end up regretting buying more tools. I'm not heavily into wood working so I'm considering getting a cheap Harbor Freight Baur Router and hoping it lasts a few years. I want to be able to do small projects like this here and there as needed in the future.
I'll be shopping around for better prices, this was what I pulled from Home Depot/Harbor Freight.
I've seen some of the things folks here have built and figured y'all could help me avoid mistakes or hold ups from not being prepared. I'll update this thread with pictures as I go along, will probably be starting next weekend.
Posted on 9/8/26 at 3:56 pm to Loup
quote:
has a chance of not looking like something from a Dr Suess book
Or just do that and paint it numerous random bright colors and tell the wife it was intentional.
We upgraded our closet rods to the black steel schedule 40, Home Depot cut to size for us. Sounds like overkill until you hear a kid screaming because they grabbed the bar and the step stool fell over and now they are afraid to fall and get hurt
Posted on 9/8/26 at 4:04 pm to Loup
You can make a shelf pin jig with a 1x4x2
I've built quite t few things with the one that I made.
All you have to do is make a line down the center of the 1x4 and then mark the distance you want the pins (I think mine are either 2" apart or 3"). Take your drill and drill out those holes. Then take a larger bit and drill to the size of the collar that you will use on your router. Most pin holes are 1/4" so at the top have a 1/4" hole.
Set the board to where you want the pins and clamp it down, use the router to go down the jig and make the holes. When you run out of holes on the jig, use the top 1/4" hole to aline the jig to the last hole you routed out.
If this doesn't make sense, let me know, I will try to explain better.
I've built quite t few things with the one that I made.
All you have to do is make a line down the center of the 1x4 and then mark the distance you want the pins (I think mine are either 2" apart or 3"). Take your drill and drill out those holes. Then take a larger bit and drill to the size of the collar that you will use on your router. Most pin holes are 1/4" so at the top have a 1/4" hole.
Set the board to where you want the pins and clamp it down, use the router to go down the jig and make the holes. When you run out of holes on the jig, use the top 1/4" hole to aline the jig to the last hole you routed out.
If this doesn't make sense, let me know, I will try to explain better.
Posted on 9/8/26 at 4:17 pm to Shexter
I was going to suggest the peg board. Good job.
I am a big fan of the Kreg stuff though.
I use rigid conduit for closet rods. About 1”. Can’t stand a sagging closet rod.
I am a big fan of the Kreg stuff though.
I use rigid conduit for closet rods. About 1”. Can’t stand a sagging closet rod.
This post was edited on 9/8/26 at 8:07 pm
Posted on 9/8/26 at 4:25 pm to Loup
If you don't need the shelves to be adjustable.... might save some money and join them with dado joints. Since you're already budgeting a router, you'll just need a 23/32 bit. Even if the costs are a wash or you don't care.... IMO it's a cleaner look and the shelves support far more weight without bowing.
I did this on built in shelves in multiple places in our house using that same 23/32 cabinet grade ply. I used a DIY jig made of the same plywood to align the router to where the dados would go.... I still have the jig and can post a pic if interested (it's just 2 pieces of plywood glued together at 90° with a dado cut made on it for alignment purposes).
Regarding the plans.... I'd drop those upper hanging rods and add a shelf across the entire top for storage. Helps for shoeboxes and junk you want out of the way.... mine are full
Enjoy the process. For the ones I did in our master closet, I had the entire thing assembled as a single unit in my garage on its side, and it was so wide that I didn't account for tipping it vertical.... so I had to cut it in half and stack inside
I did this on built in shelves in multiple places in our house using that same 23/32 cabinet grade ply. I used a DIY jig made of the same plywood to align the router to where the dados would go.... I still have the jig and can post a pic if interested (it's just 2 pieces of plywood glued together at 90° with a dado cut made on it for alignment purposes).
Regarding the plans.... I'd drop those upper hanging rods and add a shelf across the entire top for storage. Helps for shoeboxes and junk you want out of the way.... mine are full
Enjoy the process. For the ones I did in our master closet, I had the entire thing assembled as a single unit in my garage on its side, and it was so wide that I didn't account for tipping it vertical.... so I had to cut it in half and stack inside
This post was edited on 9/8/26 at 4:28 pm
Posted on 9/8/26 at 6:44 pm to Loup
Love me a Kreg jig.
Posted on 9/8/26 at 9:24 pm to Loup
If you think you remotely like woodworking, I'd suggest not cheaping out on tools. Once you have the tools, you'll fine a million reasons to use them, and there's nothing worse than feeling like you're throwing money away on a crap tool only to want a better one in the future. That's my experience at least.
Also, if you're buying metal, skip the big box store and find a local metal distributor. You can literally buy a 20 or 24' stick of metal for what HD or Lowes sells it for. Replace every rod in your house for the same price.
Also, if you're buying metal, skip the big box store and find a local metal distributor. You can literally buy a 20 or 24' stick of metal for what HD or Lowes sells it for. Replace every rod in your house for the same price.
Posted on 9/9/26 at 6:55 am to meeple
quote:
If you don't need the shelves to be adjustable.... might save some money and join them with dado joints.
I have built many cabinets with adjustable shelves but I have yet to ever adjust a single shelf
Posted on 9/9/26 at 7:18 am to Loup
The router you're thinking about will cost WAY less than the bits you need to make it a working router.
I'd advise spending a bit more for 1/2 in. shank bits with carbide cutting edges on the profile. Carbide tipped bits last way longer before needing sharpening and 1/2 in. shanks are heavier duty.
I've got a 3.5 HP Porter Cable router that cost me a couple hundred dollars and well over $1500 in router bits to go with it.
I'd advise spending a bit more for 1/2 in. shank bits with carbide cutting edges on the profile. Carbide tipped bits last way longer before needing sharpening and 1/2 in. shanks are heavier duty.
I've got a 3.5 HP Porter Cable router that cost me a couple hundred dollars and well over $1500 in router bits to go with it.
Posted on 9/9/26 at 7:27 am to gumbo2176
quote:
The router you're thinking about will cost WAY less than the bits you need to make it a working router.
I'd advise spending a bit more for 1/2 in. shank bits with carbide cutting edges on the profile. Carbide tipped bits last way longer before needing sharpening and 1/2 in. shanks are heavier duty.
I've got a 3.5 HP Porter Cable router that cost me a couple hundred dollars and well over $1500 in router bits to go with it.
Yeah I'm seeing that now, should I spend extra money on a better router? My use for this will be pretty rare, I figure I could steal my dad's if I need something better for a project.
Posted on 9/9/26 at 7:29 am to WhiskeyThrottle
quote:
Also, if you're buying metal, skip the big box store and find a local metal distributor. You can literally buy a 20 or 24' stick of metal for what HD or Lowes sells it for. Replace every rod in your house for the same price.
Thanks, I completely forgot that I work for a company that has a bunch of fab shops. A few feet of pipe will be free. Maybe I can get some baller material like monel or alloy 20
Posted on 9/9/26 at 7:39 am to Loup
quote:
My use for this will be pretty rare, I figure I could steal my dad's if I need something better for a project.
That sounds like the way to go. The reason I have 3 good routers on hand is I was doing a lot of cabinet work and profiling large pieces like raised panel doors, rail and stile door frames etc.
I had to build a router table for my big router for stability when cutting large profiles. Attempting those type cuts by hand would not be nice and a recipe for trouble and it wouldn't take long for a large router bit to ruin your day.
Edited to add this: Check out Grizzly and Rockler about router bits and other tools you may want to think about. I get like a kid in a candy store when on-line looking at their products.
This post was edited on 9/9/26 at 7:46 am
Posted on 9/9/26 at 7:43 am to gumbo2176
quote:
That sounds like the way to go. The reason I have 3 good routers on hand is I was doing a lot of cabinet work and profiling large pieces like raised panel doors, rail and stile door frames etc.
I'm reading up on it now and I could spend $50-$100 more and get something that has both a fixed and plunge base. I think I'm going to go that route instead. Should be able to avoid ever having to borrow anything if I do that.
For the amount of work I plan to use one for I'm thinking of going the Harbor Freight route.
ETA: ended up getting a Dewalt.
Hercules
If I do a decent job on this project a new kitchen table will be the next one. I think my wife is trying to keep me busy.
quote:
Check out Grizzly and Rockler about router bits and other tools you may want to think about. I get like a kid in a candy store when on-line looking at their products.
will do, thanks. I needed another hobby like I needed a hole in my head but here we go.
This post was edited on 9/9/26 at 10:43 am
Posted on 9/9/26 at 8:58 am to Loup
quote:definitely
monel
Posted on 9/9/26 at 1:42 pm to Loup
Damn, this is getting expensive. Just bought a table saw. This is why I wanted a boy . He'd be piling shite in the closet. I want it to be nice for my girl.
. He'd be piling shite in the closet. I want it to be nice for my girl. Posted on 9/9/26 at 3:41 pm to Loup
quote:
Just bought a table saw.
That has been my most used tool in my small woodworking shop. It is my workhorse, probably followed by my planers since I sometimes buy lumber that is not S4S and needs finer processing to get ready to use in cabinet building.
Posted on 9/9/26 at 4:06 pm to Loup
Buy nice or buy twice.
Posted on 9/12/26 at 1:34 pm to gumbo2176
quote:
That has been my most used tool in my small woodworking shop. It is my workhorse, probably followed by my planers since I sometimes buy lumber that is not S4S and needs finer processing to get ready to use in cabinet building
I was feeling bad about spending the money on it but after using it I'm glad I did. That would have been a bitchh with my track saw.
I made all the cuts today and got most of it assembled. I dont have the drawer slides yet so not really anything else I can do on it. I made a few mistakes but you really have to be looking to see them. Should look nice with the trim and paint. I think I should have made it narrower but my wife likes it so thats a win.
I might shorten up the top by 4" so that it is easier to put boxes of diapers up there.
This was the best $15 I've spent. I'm going to get a couple more for when I do the other closets.
Posted on 9/12/26 at 1:37 pm to WhiskeyThrottle
quote:
If you think you remotely like woodworking, I'd suggest not cheaping out on tools.
That was the most enjoyable Saturday morning I've had in a while. Glad I took your advice on this.
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