Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.” Nowhere has this rung truer than with the self-taught woodworker. Whether you’re just starting out or have been at it for a few years, you know what it’s like to work on projects with limited tools, space, and skills.
There are benefits, though, to being a self-taught woodworker. For one, you learn how to build in whatever space you can find. You do what you gotta do, whether you’re in a corner of the garage or spread out in the driveway.
Two, you teach yourself to get the most out of your equipment, and you learn how to adapt projects to fit your range of tools. Experience has shown you that you don’t need pro-level equipment or techniques to build high-quality furniture you can be proud of that rivals the stuff you’d find at many major furniture retailers—and for a lot less money, too.
Here’s a project you can do in your driveway or yard with minimal equipment: a bookshelf with secret compartment. For around $200, by the end of this project you’ll have built a sturdy wood furniture piece that you can use for years. Even if you’re a seasoned woodworker with a shop full of tools, you may get some ideas from this video. If you’re a beginner, this video will show you how to build furniture you can be proud of on a shoestring.
This limited tool project plan requires just a circular saw, although it recommends a straight edge saw guide and saw plate, and a pneumatic nailer to help you get more professional results. The straight edge and attachable saw plate are key to prevent your saw from wandering from the straight edge and ensure straight, accurate cuts. The pneumatic nailer helps you set parts of the shelf after gluing so they dry straight.
One of the most important things to remember is this: don’t let your skill level, workspace, or tool collection hold you back from starting or completing projects you want to build. Even more important: don’t let yourself hold you back either. Better technique, a bigger workspace, and a better tool collection will all come with time.
This video from Stumpy Nubs Woodworking Journal is the first in a short series that will help you build home furniture and teach you new skills. Each of these projects will teach you progressively more skills as you graduate from the basics to more advanced joinery techniques.
Scroll down to view the video and to download free project plans for this hidden storage bookshelf.
Don’t forget to follow Stumpy Nubs Woodworking Journal on YouTube. You’ll find hundreds of tips, tricks, tutorials, and more to help you improve your skills, increase your knowledge, and become a better woodworker.
Tools:
- Circular saw
- Straight edge saw guide and saw plate
- Pneumatic nailer (optional)
Materials:
- 1 ½ sheets of ¾” Birch plywood
- ¾” clear Pine
- ½” clear Pine
- Wood glue
- 1 roll of iron-on Birch edge banding
- 4 61” metal shelf bracket tracks
- 15 mini shelf brackets
- Paint and painting supplies (optional)
Finished Project Details:
- Height: 84 ¾”
- Width: 26 ¼”
- Depth: 11 ¼”
Watch Stumpy Nubs Woodworking Journal’s “How to hide $1000 in bookshelf you build without a workshop” in conjunction with the free project plans below to build your own store-quality bookshelf.
Click to download Stumpy Nubs FREE project plans for this Bookshelf with Secret Compartment.
