In this post, I want to point out how to start with DIY and woodworking. What procedures or tactics I use, what to be mindful about when operating tools how and how you should buy your tools. This is technically what your “starter philosophy” for DIY and woodworking should be.
In my previous post “Online help in woodworking and my personal top 5 favorites of “Makers” and woodworkers on Youtube“, I’ve mentioned that a lot of my previous DIY projects (See my welcome page), are done out of necessity. But this is actually only partially accurate. There needs to be something else or maybe something even more important than necessity. It is curiosity. The questions “How is it build?” and “How would I go on building that?”
I DID THAT!
A lot of things (which I made or will make, – and which woodworkers make) you could buy in one form or another OR have them made by someone else. But if YOU have this kind of thinking from the beginning, I believe that then DIY or woodworking might be not for you…
Woodworking and DIY
I assume now that you’ve done some repairs around the house or put some furniture together. That means you have at least a set of screwdrivers, a hammer, some pliers and maybe a power drill. And you want to do other stuff or more challenging projects. So here are my tips for you to go further.
These tips will help you to enjoy DIY, save money and prevent from getting injured, becoming discouraged by failing on projects or the stress these project might cause.
Tips of becoming a better and stressfree DIY-er or woodworker
1.) Build up your confidence and knowledge by experience
Never start with a project that is WAY out of your league. Meaning if you’ve put a couple of picture frames up, don’t think that you can just like that build a house on your own. So start with smaller projects – maybe a bench or a simple shelf and then apply what you’ve learned to bit larger project. Let’s say a small terrace. There again you learn new things. And these things you might be able to use in a new project.
It doesn’t have to be necessarily larger, but can be more complex instead. Let’s say a fence or some outsides stairs.
2.) Learn, plan and THEN build! (…And adjust and adapt)
This sounds obvious, but if you REALLY build something that you later want to use and you want to keep costs in check, save time and not loose nerves, I’ll recommend those steps in that order.
There is, of course, an entire genre called “chaotic makers” out there, who just do stuff and see what happens. (My favorite is “Flynn Kliemann” [German]), But as it is entertaining, it can be also dangerous, expensive and not very productive.
So, if you – for example build a terrace – it is important that you measure, and make drawings before that. Either with pen and paper (or 3D) and try to be as exact as possible. Also check out similar projects – either online or ask people that have done that before. In short: Learn or study the topic before you start the building process.
Then calculate what you need: This means wood, screws nails, maybe some special tools. Research options beforehand! Trust me: This will save you money, trips to the store and frustration!
For example, in that terrace project, because I measured and calculated everything in advance, I came within 15€ of the expected costs and finished the project with one tour to the lumber shop, in my two-day build schedule AND with a very small amount of waste.
Terrace first drawings 
Terrace 3D drawing 
Terrace midway into the project project 
Terrace nearly finished
Note about the terrace project: I ‘ve had to adapt my plans! My father-in-law (a professional builder) pointed out very early, that the ground I am building it on, is marshland! Therefore the concrete blocks might sink in. He suggested an extra row of 2x4s instead; to evenly distribute the weight.
2.1.) Use common sense for rule above
Fire wood storage build in progress 
Fire wood storage project
Obviously, I’ve done also projects which were absolutely “extemporé”. Like the wood storage: My father-in-law showed up out of the blue with a large trailer full of wood from various construction projects (Palettes, 2x4s, concrete pouring shapes, cutoffs from a fence, etc.). He said I could use it as fire-wood. But then I just built a shelter for that wood, with that wood! And after over four years with four really cold winters and rough weather, it’s as rock solid like the first day it was built.
The takeaway here: Know WHEN to plan!
3.) Measure twice, cut once !
It is so basic, but can’t stress this enough. Check your measurements and then cut. And in doubt, calculate in some extra and then cut carefully more away until it fits.
Note also that you should be mindful to cut on the correct side: Remember that your saw blade has a thickness as well! So when you cut, don’t cut on the side of your “workpiece” because your saw thickness will reduce the actual size of your workpiece!
Bonus tip: If you repeat a cut with circular-, miter- or a table saw, put the blade down (not running), place the workpiece to copy right next to the blade, then place a stopper in the end and secure it.
3.) Never EVER lose your respect or concentration when using power tools!
I’ve been on construction projects and seen guys decades doing routine jobs and nearly losing an arm in a
- Keep your focus. If you are tired or in a hurry, don’t be reckless. Take a break, or take your time!
- Don’t remove safeguards that are installed.
- If you do cuts, wait until the blade has come to a full stop. Don’t grab a loose piece near the blade while it is still turning. Keep your fingers as far away from the blade as possible. To guide the workpiece use support sticks, jigs, or clamps to hold the piece in place.
- Don’t jam wood pieces through the table saw. Because that can cause kickbacks! They can be lethal or very very harmful!
- The same for circular saws and miter saws: If you have to force the blade through the workpiece, there might be something wrong and you might injure yourself. So take it calmly. Don’t force the material or the tool.
- Don’t use gloves or super long sleeves when operating saws or planers! They (and your whole body) might get stuck and sucked up it to the blade! I have seen it happen!
- Don’t think for a second, just because you’ve operated a tool (equal if power tool or hand tool) a hundred times, that you are safe from it.
- Maintain your respect, like it was the first time you’ve worked with it!
4.) Ask for help or guidance!
5.) Make test cuts, loose models or replicas
There are certain things I want learn. And I will link to them from here once I have written them down in a future post. Like how to make dowels, how to use lathe, or how to use a router, etc. But when I work with a new tool or a new technique, I will not just use them straight on a workpiece or a project. This might destroy the piece and set back the entire project. Therefore I make test cuts or test things out before somewhere else. Make it a habit to do this as well, whenever you can!
6.) Tool buying tips
Buy the right tools when you need them
Don’t buy tools just for the heck of it! If you are like me and most people, you don’t have the money or the space to buy every tool for every project. So try first if you can accomplish a task with another method or simpler tool.
But if you notice that you will need that tool (i.e. a miter saw or clamps) frequently in your current or upcoming projects OR that you could have used it in previous projects, then buy it. IF you don’t have the money, ask family members, friends or colleagues first. Or check out online marketplaces! But don’t buy a tool, and then think of what to build to use this tool.
Don’t buy the most expensive or the cheapest tools
There is no need for you to buy the most expensive tool in the beginning. Like, let’s say a Makita, Dewalt or Bosch. Inform yourself about mid-range tools, read the reviews and make sure it is what you NEED to get the job done. Just because some Youtuber uses a certain brand doesn’t mean you need that same brand.
I suggest buying a certain tool for entry level and then if you use it a lot and later notice, that it isn’t (anymore) very accurate, it lags certain features or it can’t perform a task, then upgrade. But keep the old tool for emergencies or for remote tasks if possible!
And if you buy cordless (battery driven) tools, make sure that the manufacturer supports other tools you might later need in projects!
Note that just buying a high-quality brand, doesn’t mean that all its tools are better than all the other manufacturers! Brand X might be good on certain tool categories ( Drills, and tables saws), but its’ tools in another category might not be that good (say routers). Or that a certain model is not up to the brands’ name. So inform yourself well before buying a tool!
7.) Take care of your tools!
To get the most out of your tools, read how they should be operated, stored and maintained. For example, I live in a part of the globe, where it can get really cold ( -30 degrees C / 86°F) and my cordless power tools batteries died and stopped working. The reason for it was simply that I stored them for years in an unheated shed, which damaged them.
Bonus tip: Arrange your tools in a way that it is the handiest for you, and adjust that layout while you progress. There is really nothing more frustrating than having your tools in a bad spot.
8.) Make sure that your tools are accurate
You might have a measurement tool or a speed square. You will be surprised, but sometimes the measurements are inaccurate. You might notice that when you use two different manufactures measurement tapes on one project. So always check them in the stores against other manufacturers.
This is also true for certain power tools: Don’t trust the angle of your miter saw, circular saw
9.) Don’t throw away scrap wood or extra screws, etc.!
I try to store as
10.) Just do it!
Finally, just as in my previous post, my tip is: Just start doing things! Start with a small project, and go from there.
Check out plans or projects on
Also: Write down possible future projects and plan them.
And when a project result isn’t up to your liking or you couldn’t completely finish it, you can very often alter, and improve it later. Or make an iteration and change as you have thoughts on how to realize them. This should not stop you from making projects. Just get started!