What was your first woodworking project?

[Sparrow1]

Do you remember what your first woodworking project was? Do you still have the finished piece?

Mine was a checkerboard that I made in shop class. I think the teacher could tell I was a little out of my element and he suggested that I make it. I ended up really loving the project and it came out very well. I still have it today.

 

[Rae]

Oh, boy, I made all sorts of little things in shop class, but, no, I don't have any of it today. My mom might, but I kind of doubt it. I remember making some shelves and a bench. I think I made a toolbox too.

 

[Nailed]

I made a shoe shine kit in my shop class at school. Would you believe I still use that thing? It's discolored from years of use, but I plop my foot up there, whip out the shoe polish, and go to town on my shoes. It has plenty of room for polish, rags and extra shoe laces.

 

[maximus]

I think mine was a clock that was in the shape of a guitar. It was pretty goofy but I was proud of it at the time. I believe my mother still has it.

 

[-Brian]

My first two pieces were very LARGE! About en years ago, I wanted a "living room" acceptable enclosure for a large python. I made a set of bookshelves that came up about four feet, and the glass front python enclosure was the top half. The piece ended up around 5' x 2 1/2' x 5 12'.(h) ( I was single then, snakes are now only for the basement) The bookshelves are still being used, but a 6x3 commercial enclosure now sits atop the piece as my boy exceeded the average species size by several feet!.

My second project began about two years ago and is responsible for getting me into the hobby. I made a mission style desk to match the furniture we bought for my baby daughter's room. I am now told that it is not "officially" mission style, as it is made from pine! I am very proud of the desk and see it lasting for a LONG time. I used no plans, just started cutting! Other than a drill, and a belt sander, I had no power tools. Every piece was cut in a vice, then held up to the light with one hand and the belt sander in the other, to make it "square!!!" I got a router during the project, and have since gotten a table saw and a miter saw! I also used not one piece of metal or manufactured fastener.

 

[Calvin]

My first project was a lamp made from driftwood I picked up at the beach. We sanded it, varnished it, drilled a long hole in it for a rod and pipe, inserted a cord with socket, switch and harp. Then we added a bulb and a shade. My dad helped me.

 

[WingDing]

When I was very young, I used to tinker around with my grandfather out in his workshop. I made a sign for him out of 4 pieces of 2x4's, and used some very dull chisels to carve out "Poppy's Shop".

I'm not sure it's still around (he passed a number of years back), but he hung it in his shop for as long as I can remember.

 

[Cammy]

My first project was a saw horse. Then I made a little stool, and it looked horrible. The stool looked like abstract art, and I could not believe it was able to hold up my weight.

 

[carrot]

My first project was a birdhouse that I made in shop class in junior high. My dad did a lot of woodworking but I didn't get interested until that year in shop. After that, I started helping him and learning from him but it took Mr. Adams (my shop teacher) to get me into it. My parents still have that birdhouse, although it sits on shelf and isn't used for birds.

 

[Calvin]

Birdhouses

I used to make wooden birdhouses many years ago. Some of them are still in the yards of my relatives and friends. I loved bluebird boxes and martin boxes. What types of birdhouses do others here find interesting to make?