Jhon Mc Connell J. - Woodworking Outdoor Projects: The ultimate guide for garden woodworkers: 24 easy-to-build projects for planters, benches, porch swings, modern-style birdhouses, and more

Woodworking Outdoor Projects

The ultimate guide for garden woodworkers:
24 easy-to-build projects for planters, benches,
porch swings, modern-style birdhouses, and more

Jhon Mc Connell J.

Copyright 2020 Jhon Mc Connell J.

USA

Woodworking Outdoor Projects

By Jhon Mc Connell J.

2020

All Rights Reserved

Designed by Alexander Mendoza

Table of Contents

Introduction

Woodworking can be a satisfying and fun hobby. It is one of the most fulfilling activities you could partake in. Theres just something about taking a plain sheet or block of wood and be able to create something beautiful and useful from it. There are endless possibilities on what we can make from wood, from small wooden toys, boxes, and ornaments to bigger functional items like cabinets, shelves, beds, chairs, and tables. We can just fill any space in our house with our woodworking projects. In this book, I am giving our woodworking projects for your outdoor spaces. Here youll find 10+ woodworking projects that range from patio furniture to garden needs like planter and trellis. Each project has a list of materials, step-by-step instructions, and an image or diagram showing what youre making. They are pretty much easy to follow and can be used by any level of skills one has in woodworking. You can also do this as your first project or your learning stage in woodworking.

Figuring out how to make woodwork doesnt occur in an instant. Researching about it and watching carpenters on TV or video will get your creativity going, yet it is the hands-on training that really sharpens your carpentry skills. Its a given fact for all disciplines: A craftsman never figures out how to draw by watching another person draw.

Its a learning process, and once you get to the point that you can make all of your own furniture, as well as enjoying the craft, you will ultimately save a lot with your finances as well. When you can make a kitchen table just as nice as the furniture store, this is a definite bonus.

Woodworking can also be as simple as you want it to be or even challenging if youre up for it. In woodworking, you have the freedom to experiment with a variety of techniques, tools, finishes, and so on Young or old, there is something for everyone, regardless of skill level.

Woodworking can be a very exciting venture for you, but there is a list of things you must always keep in mind before handling a hammer and a nail.

Before you start your woodworking venture, be sure to have a proper and adequate place to work in. Of course, no one would want to have sawdust flying all over your living space. Also, some woodworking materials such as paint strippers, stains, and varnish have toxic fumes. It is ideal to have a separate shop, garage, or shed to work in, but outside space will be the most optimal.

Second, gather all the tools ready for the projects you will do. Keep in mind to have a tape measure and calculator handy all the time, especially when you purchase wood materialsDouble-check specialized tools required in some projects and make sure to purchase them beforehand.

Third, it is a must to be familiar with the tools and equipment you will be using. Both advanced woodworkers and beginners can benefit from this. Do know the different functionalities and limits of each tool. Spend ample time to layout tools, compare them and learn them one by one, especially new tools you have purchased.

Fourth, work safely when handling tools, some items you will utilize common cause dangers and even fumes. Equip yourself with safety glasses and allow an ample amount of fresh air for ventilation whenever using products that are oil-based and strong-smelling. Again, always read the guidelines before use.

As a beginner, its always a good idea to projects that are simple and easy such as birdhouses and carts. You can even do this as an activity you can do with your child. In this way, youll be able to practice cheaper on small crafts. Some would even use recycled woo and wood scraps when they want to practice first. In the end, this will save you lots of money that you can allow for bigger, more challenging projects.

Lastly, as your main protection, do wear the right proper clothing when doing your woodwork. Clothing choice must not be loose-fitting, as wearing such leads to greater chances for it to get caught up in spinning equipment. Long hair must also be tied in a bun to avoid having it become tangled with the drill, saws, and so on. Never wear dangling, loose jewelry while in the process of woodworking as it can get caught up too in a power tool.

Now lets start! I hope you enjoy doing our different outdoor woodworking projects and enjoy or use them by yourself!

Part I:

Materials, Tools,
and Techniques

Chapter 1

Materials

Wood
Picking the ideal wood for the projects could make the difference between failure and success. We cant work wood if we dont have any. Dont worry; its easy enough to get your hands on some. Going out and purchasing planks is the best and easiest way to get started as these are already cut into workable sizes, and they have already been treated (unless you are working with untreated woods). Some people will bring home used or scrap woods and begin their projects this way, as it is cheaper than purchasing new.

Not every type of wood is the same. There are softwoods and hardwoods, of course, but even within these categories, there is lots of room for variation.

Pine
While I mentioned above that there are hard pines, the vast majority of pine is softwood. Pine is a global species, found all over the world. It has a light color that borders on off-white. This color changes depending on the particular kind of pine being used, but it never ranges far from white or yellow.

Along with the color, pine is a great choice for woodworking generally. It might be a softwood, but that shouldnt be equated with it being weak. Pine is actually very strong, and it is even shock resistant.

One of the reasons that pine is a good choice for beginners is the simple fact that it doesnt cost as much as other types of woods do. Pine trees grow fast, so there is less time and maintenance required to plant a crop of pine through to harvesting. Less time to grow means less money to grow, and that means less money you need to spend to get started. Pines lighter color might be a detriment to some, but its ability to change color easily during the finishing process is a major benefit. It would cost you more to select a wood that is naturally darker than pine is. It still costs money to purchase the supplies needed for the finishing process. Still, if you purchase them once, then they can be used on several projects, making the additional cost irrelevant for additional creations.

Pine isnt the strongest of the woods, but it is quite strong. It has the benefit of being quite stiff, which in turn allows it to be much more resilient than other softwoods might be. Yet, surprisingly, it isnt all that heavy. The lightweight can be a blessing if you make use of it. For example, if you consider building a wardrobe, then it is going to be quite big and bulky. If you use a heavy wood like oak, then youll find it to be a real pain to move. But a lighter wood like pine will be much easier. Plus, since pine is shock-resistant, it can withstand being dropped during a move without any worries of it breaking. However, it must be noted that this only applies to minor drops. If you toss it off the roof, then its still going to break apart when it hits the ground. Pine also doesnt change its size due to temperature in the drastic way that some other woods do. It still expands and shrinks slightly because the overall change in size is so minor that you dont need to worry about these changes warping the shape.