Challenge Yourself and Grow Your Skills
Take your woodworking skills to the next level with satisfying intermediate projects.
Are you looking for woodworking projects that go beyond the basics, but aren’t expert-level? Intermediate woodworking projects are the perfect way to challenge yourself, learn new techniques, and create beautiful and functional pieces.
This guide will teach you all about intermediate woodworking projects, from choosing the right project to step-by-step instructions. Soon you’ll be making heirloom-quality creations you’ll be proud to display.
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Woodworking Projects | – Incorporate more challenging techniques like joinery and carving – Have detailed, complex designs – Allow creation of high-quality functional pieces |
| Benefits | – Learn new skills – Gain woodworking confidence – Make impressive items for use and display – Express creativity through woodworking |
| Project Ideas | – Dovetailed boxes – Windsor chairs – Cutting boards with inlay – Coffee tables – Nightstands – Outdoor benches – Toys and instruments |
| Choosing a Project | – Consider skill level and experience – Pick projects you are excited about – Make sure you have the proper tools and materials – Start simple and work your way up |
| Instructions | – Use quality plans and correct tools – Work slowly and carefully – Practice precision and check dimensions – Apply finishes neatly and thoroughly – Ask other woodworkers for help |
What Makes a Woodworking Project Intermediate Level?
Intermediate woodworking projects have a few key characteristics:
- More challenging techniques – They incorporate skills beyond the basics, like joinery, turning, carving, veneering, and finishing. Dovetail joints and mortise and tenon joints are common.
- Detailed design – The final pieces have more complex designs requiring planning and precision. Curves, patterns, and asymmetry may be included.
- Higher production value – More attention is paid to details like seamless joinery, smooth surfaces, and attractive finishes. The end result has a refined, quality appearance.
- Specialized tools/materials – Advanced tools like routers, jointers, and thickness planers may be needed. Exotic woods, veneers, inlays, and hardware increase the complexity.
Benefits of Intermediate Woodworking Projects
Taking on an intermediate woodworking project offers many rewards:
- Learn new skills – You’ll build expertise in specialty woodworking skills like turning, finishing, wood bending, veneering, carving, and joinery. Each project expands your abilities.
- Create impressive pieces – With attention to detail and some challenging techniques, you can make furniture and objects sure to impress friends and family.
- Gain confidence – As you successfully complete more complex projects, you’ll feel a sense of pride and increased confidence in your woodworking abilities.
- Make functional art – Intermediate projects allow you to make items that are both beautiful and practical for everyday use.
- Express creativity – With an intermediate skill level, you can bring your unique creative vision to life through woodworking.
Popular Intermediate Woodworking Projects
Here are some recommended intermediate woodworking projects to expand your skills:
More Challenging Woodworking Projects for Intermediate Woodworkers
Dovetailed Box
A dovetailed box puts your joinery skills to the test. Cutting precise dovetails by hand takes patience and practice. Using exotic woods like maple, walnut, or mahogany creates a box you’ll be proud to display. Add decorative touches like corner keys or inlay for extra flair.
Windsor Chair
Windsor chairs involve complicated joinery like mortise and tenon joints along with wood bending. Choose a wood like oak, maple, or cherry. Make a comfortable, unique chair to place in your home or give as a gift.
Cutting Board with Inlay
Make a beautiful cutting board with wooden inlay designs. Practice precision woodworking to expertly cut and glue together contrasting woods for stunning visual appeal. Use food safe finishes.
Coffee Table with Breadboard Ends
Making a coffee table with breadboard ends allows you to showcase your skills with joinery and finishing. The breadboard ends allow for wood movement. Apply multiple coats of polyurethane for protection.
Nightstand with Drawers
Challenge your measuring, cutting, and assembly abilities by constructing a nightstand with dovetailed drawers. Practice using drawer slides, sanding, and finishing techniques. Add decorative hardware for flair.
Outdoor Bench
Build a sturdy and weather resistant outdoor bench by selecting pressure treated lumber. Use mortise and tenon joinery with wedged through tenons. Add contoured seat slats for comfort.
Wooden Toy
Make a classic children’s toy like a wagon, rocking horse, wooden puzzle, or building blocks. Pay attention to safety and durability. Use child-safe glues, finishes, and materials.
Musical Instrument
Challenge yourself by handcrafting a wooden musical instrument like a guitar, ukulele, or set of bongos. Carefully cut the wood, hollow out spaces, and properly position bridges and nuts.
B. How to Choose an Intermediate Woodworking Project
Choosing the right intermediate woodworking project is key to having a positive experience expanding your skills. Keep these factors in mind:
Consider Your Skill Level and Experience
Be realistic about your current ability level. Look for projects utilizing skills you’re looking to acquire, rather than expert skills beyond your experience. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Choose a Project You’re Excited About
Pick a project that genuinely interests you and you’ll enjoy the process. Make sure it’s something you’re passionate about creating.
Make Sure You Have the Necessary Tools and Materials
Review the tools, wood, and supplies required for the projects that interest you. Avoid frustration by only choosing projects your equipped for.
Start Simple and Work Your Way Up
Even among intermediate projects there are degrees of difficulty. It’s smart to start with a simpler design and work your way up to more intricate projects.
Get Ideas from Woodworking Resources
Lists of project ideas, plans, tips, and techniques can be found at libraries, woodworking stores, magazines, websites, social media groups, and more. Let these resources spark inspiration.
Here are some places to look for intermediate woodworking project ideas:
- Woodworking magazines – Fine Woodworking, Woodworker’s Journal, Wood Magazine
- Woodworking websites – Popular Woodworking, Woodcraft, Rockler
- Woodworking books – Taunton Press, Fox Chapel Publishing
- Woodworking blogs – ProWoodworker, Sawdust Girl, The Wood Whisperer
- Woodworking videos – YouTube channels like Steve Ramsey, The Wood Whisperer, Jim Heavey
- Local woodworking stores – Take classes and workshops
C. Step-by-Step Instructions for Intermediate Woodworking Projects
Working through intermediate woodworking projects requires great attention to detail, patience, and good techniques. Follow these tips for success:
- Start with high-quality detailed plans, diagrams, and instructions
- Use the proper woodworking tools for each step
- Work slowly and carefully for good results
- Practice sanding for smooth surfaces
- Focus on precision with joinery and measurements
- Check dimensions at each stage
- Apply finishes neatly and thoroughly
- Ask for help from other woodworkers when needed
- Stay organized and keep a clean workspace
Let’s look at step-by-step instructions for two popular intermediate projects – a dovetailed box and a Windsor chair.
Dovetailed Box
Materials Needed
- 3/4″ thick hardwood boards (maple, walnut, oak)
- Dovetail jig
- Carpenters glue
- Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grit)
- Soft cloth
- Food-safe oil finish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut boards for the box sides, ends, and bottom. Allow 1/8″ extra length.
- Set dovetail jig and cut tails in ends. Cut pins in sides to match tails.
- Dry assemble the box and tap joints tightly together by hand. Make sure joints fit perfectly.
- Disassemble the box. Apply carpenter’s glue to joinery and reassemble, tapping tightly together. Use clamps to hold in place until dry.
- Once glue is dry, cleanly trim any excess wood from the ends so sides are flush.
- Sand each piece starting with 100 grit and working up to 220 grit for a smooth finish.
- Remove dust with a soft cloth. Apply food-safe oil finish and allow to fully dry.
- Install decorative corner keys if desired.
Windsor Chair
Materials Needed
- Rough sawn kiln dried wood (legs, stretcher, seat, spindles, etc)
- Chair-making hardware (screws, dowels, wedged through-tenons)
- Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grit)
- Water resistant wood glue
- Clear polyurethane sealant
- Varnish brush
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut out all chair components according to plan measurements.
- Shape seat and legs with wood rasps and spokeshaves until smooth and contoured.
- Drill holes for stretcher and spindles in seat. Attach seat to legs with mortise and tenon joints and wedged through-tenons.
- Shape spindles on lathe and sand smooth. Test fit spindles in seat holes.
- Assemble chair components with water resistant glue and hardware. Allow to fully dry.
- Sand chair with progressing grit sandpaper for ultra smooth finish. Round edges.
- Apply 2-3 coats of clear polyurethane, sanding lightly between coats. Allow to fully cure.
- Attach seat with screws from bottom of chair.
- Admire your handcrafted Windsor chair!
Conclusion
Intermediate woodworking projects are challenging but extremely rewarding. They enable you to gain skills, express creativity through wood, and end up with impressive furniture and objects.
Carefully selecting the right project and following good woodworking techniques will lead to success. Rely on high-quality plans and don’t be afraid to ask more experienced woodworkers for help.
Now that you know how to choose and complete intermediate woodworking projects, it’s time to begin your next creation. Start slowly, be patient with yourself, and have fun growing your skills!
Additional Woodworking Resources
Expand your woodworking knowledge with these helpful resources:
Websites and Blogs
- FineWoodworking.com – Expert advice and in-depth techniques
- WoodworkersJournal.com – Trusted woodworking resource since 1975
- PopularWoodworking.com – Woodworking tips, plans, and more
- TheWoodWhisperer.com – Great woodworking advice for all levels
Books
- The Complete Manual of Woodworking by Albert Jackson and David Day
- Woodworking Basics – Mastering the Essentials of Craftsmanship by Peter Korn
- Modern Woodworking by Willis H. Wagner
Videos
- Steve Ramsey Woodworking for Mere Mortals YouTube – Easy woodworking for beginners
- The Wood Whisperer YouTube – Detailed woodworking demos
- WoodWorkWeb YouTube – Project ideas and tutorials
- Make Something TV YouTube – Beginner friendly woodworking videos
Woodworking Schools
- Williamsburg School of Woodworking – Courses in traditional woodworking
- Marc Adams School of Woodworking – Workshops in Indiana
- Woodcraft School – Woodworking classes across the US
- Rockler Woodworking and Hardware – Classes and demos
Tool Suppliers
- Woodcraft – Woodworking tools, materials and plans
- Rockler – Woodworking and hardware specialists
- Lee Valley – Quality woodworking tools and accessories
- Highland Woodworking – Woodworking tools, supplies, and education
- Woodworker’s Supply – Mail order tools, kits, plans and gear