Carpentry for Beginners
In the most simple of terms, carpentry describes the hobby or occupation of a person that makes things with wood. Or repairs wooden things. Basically, a carpenter is a dab hand at working with wood!
You may have had a crack at carpentry when you were back at school. Woodworking classes were an opportunity for us to put down the pens and paper, and pick up some new tools to get creative with. We would make small boxes or piggy banks, and take them home to our parents with a proud smile.
The reason we were so proud was because carpentry takes time and dedication. It would test our patience whenever something didn’t look how we planned it to, and we would get annoyed when our teacher told us to keep sanding to make the wood as smooth as a button!
Whether or not you’ve tried woodwork before, this tutorial is based on carpentry for beginners. I’ll show you the sort of projects you’ll be able to work on and how you can turn your skill into a career. Carpentry may be an ancient trade (one that dates all the way back to the first century B.C.) but it’s still relevant today and you can work it into your daily life and job.
The word “carpenter” comes from the old French word “carpentier”. Meaning: maker of a carriage
Woodworking Projects for Beginners
Not sure where to begin? Does working with wood give you premonitions of painful splinters and the hammering of thumbs? I always find the best thing to do with new projects is to break them down into small steps.
This list of beginner tools is perfect for anyone interested in carpentry for beginners. You’ll find that tools are durable and you’ll take your beginner set with you along the road, adding to it as your skills become more specialised and advanced.
- Power jointer. Get yourself a power jointer to save time and effort. A power jointer will be useful when you need to flatten the face of rough wood or straighten edges. You can achieve this with hand-held tools, but the process is much more laborious.
- Saw(s). A circular saw can be used for rough dimensioning. Make sure you also have a hand saw in your tool kit for cutting down boards and straightening edges. For more detailed work, try using a coping saw. This may be something you decide to invest in when you dabble with more complicated projects.
- Things to measure with. Always prepare your wood before you hack away at it! Purchase a tape measure, ruler and some pencils so you can make the necessary markings first.
- A power drill and bits. A power drill is one of the most exciting tools and one you’ll find yourself using often! Just take care – you’ll master the power drill with time.
- Things to smooth your wood. Your work must always be smooth, for both aesthetic and safety purposes. Buy rasps, a sander, files and a smoothing plane.
- A hammer and nails. You’ll need a hammer, nails and some screw drivers.
- A place to work. Try to work in a safe, spacious shed or other work area. In there, you’re going to need a work bench and some clamps. You might be able to make the bench yourself, once you can do carpentry!
This list isn’t exhaustive and you’ll probably find you want to buy other tools along the way, too. However, it gives you a good idea of the equipment that will help you out if you want to become a carpenter.
So what are some good carpentry projects for beginners? You can take control of your saws, hammers and drills by starting off on some more basic projects, such as:
- Simple boxes
- Wooden mugs and spoons
- An iPad/iPhone stand
- Candle holders
- Book shelf
- Wine/beer rack
How to Make an iPad Stand
This is the 21st century, and it’s no secret that our gadgets often take pride of place on our bedside table or underneath our pillow. Here’s an easy tutorial on how you can make a practical stand for your iPad.
You will need:
- Piece of wood (130 x 80 x 24 mm)
- Saw
- Drill
- Large diameter drill bit
- Sandpaper
- Cut your wooden block to the right size. Thick wood works well as it holds your device safely and looks modern and sturdy.
- Drill a hole into the block of 10 mm. This hole will be used for easy access to the home button on your iPad. This hole should be placed in the middle of the shortest side of the wood.
- Then you need to create the groove in which your iPad will sit. Take the side where you cut the hole and measure off 17 mm and 30 mm. Make 2 27 degree cuts. Use either a handsaw or a table saw, but make sure it’s around 15mm deep and clean it of loose wood shavings.
- Sand down the entire thing so it’s smooth, rounding off the edges if you wish. Make sure the groove and the hole are nice and smooth so it doesn’t scratch your device!
Why Start Carpentry?
Make, don’t buy, the things you need
Kitting out your home in items from large stores can be expensive, and it usually seems like there’s no end to the things we need to buy! With your new skills, it won’t matter if one drawer falls out of your chest of drawers, or if your table legs become wonky.
You’ll be able to create something new and improved, using the tools and materials you already have at home. That means less trips to home ware shops and more money in your wallet!
Work on a variety of projects
Carpenters can be called upon to assist with a huge range of different projects. One day you could be renovating a house and the next day you could be building a city bridge. It will keep your job interesting and will also help develop your skills with each new project you’re involved with.
There’s lots of room for growth in this industry, too, so good carpenters can work their way up to a great salary and some seriously cool ventures.
Anyone can do light carpentry
Whatever your age, there are some carpentry projects that you’ll be able to carry out. Even if you don’t wish to turn your skill into a career, you can try light woodwork at home. Make things like birdhouses and small cabinets. Light carpentry means that no heavy lifting is required and it’s a good way to stay active and creative.
Make a Living from Working with Wood
If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, it’s time to unleash them to the world and be paid as a reward! Lots of those that choose a career in carpentry decide to go out and get hired by a company, through the traditional method of applying for jobs and being interviewed. Others like to go things alone and set up their own company.
Whichever path works best for you, there’s a lot to be gained from a career in woodwork.
Work for a company
The Bureau of Labour Statistics estimates that there will be a 20% job growth for carpenters between 2010 and 2020. There’s a high demand for carpenters because they’re usually involved in every stage of a process. If you choose to become an employer for a company, your skills will be well-utilised and you’ll receive ongoing training and support.
You can begin as an apprentice and be paid while you pick up the basic, technical skills and theories. You can choose to take on a speciality during your apprenticeship, and this will steer the direction your career takes afterwards.
When working for another company, you’ll be rewarded well for your skills and experience. You’ll have the opportunity to work on big assignments, without having to seek out clients yourself.
Make your own carpentry business
If you prefer the autonomy and independence of owning your own business, you can do that too! Before you start, choose which area you want to focus on. Do you want to make artistic, crafty items or get stuck into large-scale engineering ventures?
Even if you’ve been practising carpentry for a long time, it’s good to get technical. I recommend taking on an apprenticeship to pick up some extra skills. It might take a few years to learn everything you need to begin with, but then you’ll be ready to put your business plan together! Decide whether you want to hire other people, where you want to work from and research the legalities of it all.
Register your business and get it insured if need be. Get the word out there about your new business and keep the standard high. Word-of-mouth is the best marketing tool, so keep your customers happy and they will keep your business happy!
Carpentry is a great, hands-on hobby – something that can be rare in today’s digital world. With this skill, you will find satisfaction in visualising an object and bringing it to life through woodwork.
This carpentry for beginners tutorial offers a window of insight into the industry. You might just want to bring your creations to life in the shed in your backyard, or you may prefer to build a solid career out of what you know.
