Home » Home & Style » Woodcrafts » Stages of a Project

Stages of a Project

©

This is the season of giving. And what better gift to give to someone than your very own hand-crafted project. Similar to some phrases that's well known, "when you care enough to craft it yourself", or "it's not the thought that counts, but the splinters", hand-crafted projects makes for some great Christmas gifts.

There are a number of steps you need to follow when working with wood. They are: every project starts with an idea, followed by planning, measuring, cutting, sanding, assembling (if required), and finishing. When you purchase a plan or pattern, the first two steps will already be done for you.

For beginners, the idea should be something simple, functional and not expensive to make. For this project, the original design of a portable CD holder is all of the above.

Plan your project. To do this you will first need to know where it will be located, how many CD's it will hold and how it will be designed. Then, what type of wood to use, the direction of the grain, dimensions, tools and accessories required.

For this project, the CD holder will stand on a desk or shelf. It will hold 50 CD's. Because Pine is a softwood and very easy to work with, this is the preferred choice of material among many new woodcrafters. However, if you prefer, you can choose to substitute Pine with your own choice of wood. The grain will be length wise.

This is the design for the top of the holder. You may need to adjust your printer's page capabilities to get the exact size of 5 1/2" wide x 4" high. Also you'll need two 3/8" dowels 4' long, available at any hardware store. The final dimensions for the holder is 3/4" thick 5 1/2" deep x 10 3/4" high.

The tools to use to make your woodcraft are: Tablesaw, circular saw or handsaw, scrollsaw or jigsaw, drill press or portable drill, sander or sanding block and a square. Along with this, you'll need a measuring tape, pencil, glue, sandpaper, brad drill bit, masking tape, spray adhesive, and the printed design/pattern.

The idea and the planning stages are completed. Now measure two pieces of 3/4" Pine or preferred stock 5 1/2" wide x 12" long. Using your tablesaw, circular saw or handsaw, cut to size. These are the sides of your CD holder. Now measure and cut each dowel 3 times 11" long. Tip#1: When purchasing Pine for this project from your local lumber yard, ask for 1" x 6" (thickness by width). Although referred to as 1" x 6", the true thickness and width is 3/4" x 5 1/2".

The copyright of the article Stages of a Project in Woodcrafts is owned by . Permission to republish Stages of a Project in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.