Woodworking Essentials: Benches & Boxes

Overview

Build three quick, easy projects you can use at home, in the workshop or as gifts. Along the way, get confident working with a chisel, handsaw, dovetail joints and more. Make a simple bench, a dovetail bench, and a dovetail box as you discover a variety of small woodworking project ideas and techniques. Woodworking professional and instructor Mike Siemsen shows you how to sharpen a chisel and shares tips on proper usage. You’ll enjoy making three useful, personalized projects as you build essential hand tool skills.

Course Outline

1. 01: Getting Started
   Meet your instructor, professional woodworker Mike Siemsen, and preview the projects you’ll make in this class. Learn to create a simple sharpening station and the proper steps for sharpening a chisel. Also, discover tips for using a handsaw and chisel, and how to select quality materials.
   Duration: 31 min
2. 02: Simple Bench
   Mike walks through the steps of creating a simple bench, sharing time-saving techniques and tips for measuring and cutting leg pieces and aprons. Learn how to chisel dado joints and lay out notches. Assemble the bench and improve upon the final product.
   Duration: 27 min
3. 03: Dovetail Bench, Part One
   Apply skills from Lesson 2 to create a dovetail bench. Learn marking and cutting techniques, as well as how to use a simple gauge.
   Duration: 26 min
4. 04: Dovetail Bench, Part Two
   Finish your dovetail bench by measuring, marking, and cutting notches in the legs and apron. Learn how to test fit pieces and make adjustments, then assemble and touch up with a sanding block.
   Duration: 22 min
5. 05: Creative Options for Bench
   Take your bench to the next level with creative touches. Create tapered legs, arched cutouts, and an ogee design. Learn Mike’s technique for adding storage and a hinged lid.
   Duration: 28 min
6. 06: Dovetail Boxes
   Practice your skills by building a dovetail box. Learn to lay out and cut dovetails, assemble pieces, and finish the box with a bottom and hinged top.
   Duration: 36 min
7. 07: Decorative Options
   Add personalized touches to your projects. Create alternate lids for your box, explore decorative feet, and learn various finishing techniques.
   Duration: 15 min