Learn to Build

Submitted by Ana White on Fri, 09/20/2019 - 12:00

So you have no experience with power tools, never built anything in your life, have no idea where to start?  Don't worry - I've been there.  It's not hard, if I can do this, anyone can.

The best way to get started building is to just dive right in.   


Choosing Your First Woodworking Project

Pick a project that is inexpensive, and doesn't require a ton of tools, cuts, or steps.  Avoid for now, anything with plywood, pocket holes, drawers, doors; basically anything big or with moving parts.

We have tons of starter projects, but might I recommend this one - The Ten Dollar Ledges


Wood for Your First Project

At your home improvement store, ask for the "whitewood" boards, sometimes called common pine.  I recommend starting with this type of wood because it is very inexpensive and easy to cut and drill or nail into.  As you progress, you can get pickier about your wood, but right now it's about easy, inexpensive and minimal tools.  

It can be a little confusing when picking out wood because the name of the wood size does not equal the actual wood size for off the shelf, planed lumber.  Always double check your lumber, but here is a table of the expected sizes for wood used on this website:

Board Name Actual size
1x2 3/4" x 1-1/2"
1x3 3/4" x 2-1/2"
1x4 3/4" x 3-1/2"
1x6 3/4" x 5-1/2"
1x8 3/4" x 7-1/4"
1x10 3/4" x 9-1/4"
1x12 3/4" x 11-1/4"
2x2 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"
2x4 1-1/2" x 3-1/2"
2x6 1-1/2" x 5-1/2"
2x8 1-1/2" x 7-1/4"
2x10 1-1/2" x 9-1/4"
2x12 1-1/2" x 11-1/4"












One thing we must discuss about using real wood (especially soft wood) is shrinkage.  Wood does shrink, it is a natural material.  It is not plastic.  If you buy kiln dried wood, and live in a dry climate or the project is indoors, just bring your wood into the room it will reside in, and let it acclimate for a day or two.  Then get building.  On a project like the ten dollar ledges, you won't have to worry about wood shrinkage so much.  As you tackle bigger projects, it becomes more of a factor, and then you start thinking about using plywood because it is more stable.  

My two cents? If I wanted perfect, I'd buy something plastic.  I love the natural beauty of rustic wood, and will take the character over a total lack of character.


Plywood and Sheet Good Sizes

We don't recommend plywood for a first project because it requires ripping down in width to use, but eventually you'll want to start using it. Why? It's generally cheaper than 1x boards, you can get wider widths (for example, 16" wide) and it behaves better (no shrinking, cupping, twisting, warping etc).

Plywood and sheet goods, usually is true to it's name.  3/4" thick plywood is 3/4" thick. 

When working with plywood, there are three main sizes that come off the shelf -

Plywood size Dimensions
Full Sheet 4 feet x 8 feet
Half Sheet 4 feet x 4 feet
Quarter Sheet  2 feet x 4 feet

3/4" thick plywood can be substituted for 1x boards (since both are 3/4" thick).  You will need to have your hardware store rip (cut with the grain, or the long way) the plywood down into strips the desired width.  While you probably wouldn't do this to make smaller boards, this comes in very handy when you need a board wider than a 1x12 (for example 16" deep shelving).  Just wanted to touch on this here, we'll talk about this more later.


Tools for Your First Project

When you start out building, here's what I recommend purchasing for tools:

  • 18 volt Drill and Circular Saw Combo Kit (should be under $100) with battery and charger
  • 16' or longer tape measure
  • Carpenter's square or speed square (7" x 7") can be metal or plastic
  • Safety glasses and hearing protection
  • Drill Bit set including driving and drilling bits 
  • Clamps for holding your board down while you cut



More About Tools

  • Jigsaw - The least expensive of powered saws the jigsaw is just a small blade that moves up and down (similar to a hand saw motion) to cut wood.  The ideal use of a jigsaw is making curved cuts or small cuts.  Since the blade is only attached at the top with the bottom free, the resulting cut may be beveled or rough.  However, with a good blade and when making short cuts, the jigsaw will be fine for a starter project.  The jigsaw is also easiest to use because the blade is very visible, and I find it to be the least inimidating of the saws.  You can get corded (less expensive) and cordless (so worth it!) options and you will not regret your investment - even the most advanced woodworkers have a jigsaw on hand.

  • Circular Saw - comparable in price to the jigsaw is a circular saw.  Think of it like this - riding a unicyle vs a bicycle.  The unicycle will turn easily (which is great for tight turns) but the bicycle will give you a straighter cut in the long run.  The circular saw, or any saw with a circular blade, is the ideal way to make square cuts.  But circular saws tend to be a little more difficult to learn to use, and it is harder to see your cuts.  You won't regret investing in a circular saw, as they will be used to cut plywood down to size and for lots of other applications as long as you do building projects.

  • Miter Saw - this is the ideal saw that you want in your shop for making cuts.  It's fast, easy and safe, and will go from square cut to angled or beveled or even angled and beveled cuts quickly.  I don't recommend buying a miter saw until you are ready to invest long term in woodworking or have lots of home projects to tackle.  They do start in the $150 range, but you'll want the saw will all the bells and whistles, and you'll want a stand to go with it - so expect to invest at least a few hundred dollars into a miter saw.

Now that you have means to cut your wood, you'll need some way to attach the cut boards back together to build the project.  

With simple woodworking, here's what I recommend -

  • Drill - I believe every home owner needs a drill, even if you aren't building your own projects.  Most flat pack furniture and toys require a drill, and you'll want a drill for all sorts of household uses and repairs.  When it comes to building, a drill and screws can be used for joinery.  You'll want smaller screws (#8s SPAX are my favorite), by smaller I'm referring to the shaft of the screws, not the length.  Larger screws are harder to drive and increase the chances of your wood splitting.  For attaching 1x boards together you'll want 2" long screws (or close in length) and definitely self tapping.  If not self tapping, you'll need to drill pilot holes with a small drilling bit before driving your screws.

  • Brad Nailer - Most 18 gauge brad nailers shoot nails between 5/8"  up to 2" in length.  This is the ideal length for most interior projects, and versatile enough for most of the project on this blog.  Brad nails are preferred over screws because they leave less to hide than a screw.  If you are painting, you can fill a screw hole, but it's hard to hide a screw hole with a stained project - and that's where the brad nailer comes in.  Brad nails are great for attaching trim and the backs on projects, but I don't recommend using them for the structural part of the build.

  • Kreg Jig - If you are just tackling one or two projects, you won't need a Kreg Jig yet.  But the second you start thinking in terms of mulitiple projects, or projects that will save you more than a few hundred dollars, it's time to invest in a Kreg Jig.  We'll talk more about the Kreg Jig in the Home Builder section.

  • Sander - You'll also want to invest in a sander to help you finish your projects.

You'll need a few more hand tools to help you in the building process -

The basic hand tools will help you throughout the build

  • Tape Measure - You'll use the tape measure to mark cuts, and also to layout the build.  I prefer a smaller tape (12' is all you'll need for building projects) but you may want to invest in a longer one if it is your only tape measure in your home.

  • Speed Square - Speed squares are super handy.  If you are cutting with a jigsaw or circular saw, you can use the speed square to draw a line perpendicular to the board edge with it.  You can also clamp the speed square to the wood and use it as a guide, running your saw along side it as you cut.  When building, the speed square can be used to attach boards square to each other.

  • Clamps - You'll need at least two clamps to secure boards to the tabletop when cutting and building.  Make sure the clamps are big enough to clamp to your project and your workbench - 6" seems to be a good size for a standard workbench top.

  • Safety Glasses and Hearing Protection - You'll do a better job and building will be alot more fun if you are being safe.  Wear eye and ear protection, and be safe - power tools can be dangerous if used incorrectly, and injury is not worth it.


More Beginner Woodworking Tips

So that's the basic tools and materials, and here's a few more newbie tips:

  • Always take the time to find nice straight boards.  Look down the board like it is an arrow on a bow to determine if the board is straight or not.

  • When cutting, remember that the saw blade removes material from the wood (the sawdust).  This is called the saw blade kerf.  You'll need to consider how you mark your boards, and on what side of the line you cut your boards to get accurate cuts.  

  • When using a nailgun, keep your hands well clear.  Nails can shoot out to the side, especially if they hit a knot.

  • Always cut the factory end of a board before you start making your final cuts, as there is not guarantee the factory end is square.

  • Wood glue is essential when using nails or staples.  But be careful to not overdue it, as often wood will not take stain the same if it has glue on it.

  • Clamp everything, any time you are in doubt.  If you are nervous about cutting, clamp it.  If you are hesitant when nailing, clamp it.

  • When cutting, only secure one side of the board and allow the other side to float free to avoid bucking your saw.

  • Take the time to get to know your tools, their uses and safety features.

  • Never cut a small piece that requires your hand to be too close to the saw blade.  Instead, cut the small piece from a larger piece.

  • Check your project for square by find an area on your project that should be a rectangle.  Measure from opposite diagonals to get two different diagonal measurements.  If the project is square, the diagonals will match.  If not square, push longer diagonal ends together and recheck both diagonals until square.

A Few Notes on Safety

  • Power tools are powerful.  If a saw blade binds, it will kick the saw back.  If a drill catches, the torque of the drill may cause it to twist on you.  A tablesaw bind can cause the board to push back with force. Do not stand directly behind the board you are ripping.

  • Clamp everything down, to prevent variables when cutting and building

  • Keep hands clear of saw blades and nailer tips at all times

  • Remove batteries or unplug when changing bits, saw blades, or adjusting tools

  • Wait until the saw blade stops turning to remove the saw

  • Do not work in a distracted environment

  • Use appropriate safety equipment

  • Always read tool manuals and get to know your specific tool before using

  • Never use a tool in a manner that it is not designed to be used

  • Use common sense - if it doesn't feel safe, it probably isn't.  Don't do it - it's not worth the risk


Next Projects

After you get done with your first project, try tackling a few more smaller projects.  Keep the projects small, no angles, no doors, no drawers, all 1x material at this point. There will be plenty of time to work up to bigger, more complicated projects, and you can make pretty amazing stuff with beginner tools and skills.  Here's a few examples-

Shown above: Easy Rustic Console, Pallet Style Coat Rack, Easy Wall Plate Rack

Once you've mastered the basic skills, feel confident using power tools, it's time to move on to a few bigger projects and a couple more tools.



Bigger Projects

If you've gotten to this point, you've probably realized that once you get started, it's really not that hard.  And your best tool of all is common sense.

But a few more tools will really make building easier, better, and faster.

We've talked about these tools a little bit already, but now it's time to pull the trigger and buy these tools.  

  • Compound Sliding Miter Saw -While a jigsaw or circular saw will do fine for starter projects, you'll want to invest in a compound sliding miter saw as soon as you can.  There's really three reasons why you want this saw - it makes cutting so much faster since you don't need to clamp boards and set up cuts, you'll make perfect cuts every time (which is very important when you start doing joinery), and the compound miter saw will allow you to cut angles and bevels with speed and accuracy.

  • Kreg Jig - Once you start using a Kreg Jig, you'll never go back.  It enables you to create stronger, faster more precise joints with minimal effort.  And you can hide your screw holes under or behind the project with it.  A big advantage of the Kreg Jig is the ability to join tabletop boards or create face frames, or boards edge to edge, and also joining boards into thicker wood (for example aprons on a table to the legs).  I recommend the K5 over the K4 - it's easier to set and I love the clamp on the front.  I don't recommend the smaller Kreg Jigs as your main one - invest in the full size Kreg Jig.

  • Brad Nailer - With the Kreg Jig doing most of the structural work, use the brad nailer to add the trim to the front, with minimal holes.  The brad nailer will also make quick work of attaching backs on projects.  You'll want to integrate the brad nailer into your projects also because nails are much cheaper than screws.  Get an 18 Gauge brad nailer.  I use the one pictured (Ryobi Airstrike 18 Volt Family), it's cordless, battery powered and uses the same battery as all my other tools.  Then you don't have to buy an air compressor too.



Having a dedicated workbench will change everything about building.  It's like cooking without a kitchen.  You need a spot to build, to store your tools.

Here's my recommendation for an easy, efficient workbench that is a good size for most projects

Photo and build credit: TheresaLynn


When to Screw, When to Nail?

As you get going on projects, you'll see that you can use different types of joinery for different applications.  Here's the three main joinery that we use on our simple plans.





Brad Nails

Nails are inexpensive, easy, and quick, requiring minimal clamping.  Easy to hide.

Not as strong as screws and may pull out over time.  Longer nails tend to stray.  Can be difficult to hold some joints together while attaching.  Do not use to attach 2x boards to anything.


Fast and strong, works well when attaching 2x material together.  Best for outdoor projects or workshop projects.

Expensive, hard to hide.  May split wood or require predrilling.  Can be difficult to hold joint together while attaching.  Difficult to attach into end grain of 1x board without splitting.

Kreg Jig

Easy, precise and fast.  Hidden screw joint but still same strength as screws.  Not attaching into end grain.  Easy to hold boards while making joint. Can attach boards edge to edge and into thick table legs.

Pocket hole screws are more expensive than nails and take an extra predrilling step.  Sometimes not ideal when joining small pieces of wood or angled cuts.  


Here's an example of how I commonly join boards, but this is never the rule -


Preferred method

Building the carcass or structure of a project (for example, the 1x12 board shelf boards to 1x12 sides of a bookshelf)

Kreg Jig

Face Frame Building (trim that is sometimes used on front of project and can include the legs)

Kreg Jig

Face Frame Attaching (attaching the face frame to the project)

Brad Nailer

with 1-1/4" brad nails

Attach 1/4" plywood to back to the project

Brad Nailer with 3/4" brad nails

Attaching trim to a project (moulding or aprons etc)

Brad Nailer with 1-1/4" brad nails

Attaching aprons to table legs

Kreg Jig

Building a tabletop

Kreg Jig

Using 2x4s on a workshop project

2-1/2" Self Tapping Screws

Screwing shelving down quickly in garage

2" or 2-1/2" (depending on shelf thickness) Self Tapping Screws

Attaching slats to a slatted shelf or back

2" Self Tapping Screws


I build with a mixture of these three different types of joints, always considering the cost of the fastener, the strength required for the joint, how to hide the fastener with respect to the finish, and common sense.  As you build, you'll develop a sense for when you should use what tool to build with.

This set of tools and knowledge should be enough to get you building most any project needed for your home.


Professional Level Tools

If you get to the point where you want to start building for others, you'll want to take it to the next level.  

Kreg Foreman

Tablesaw -The big tool to invest in now is a tablesaw so you can start ripping plywood down to use as the carcass for building (it's cheaper and more dimensionally stable than 1x12 boards).  Having a tablesaw will save you money as well, because you will be able to use up your scraps (for example, you could take a 1x12 scrap and rip it into a bunch of 1x2s).  Invest in a tablesaw with a big enough deck to be useful, or build a workbench that increases the size of your tabletop to help you feed boards in and out of the saw.  

Kreg Foreman - Another amazing tool that will give you an edge is the Kreg Foreman. It's an automatic pocket hole jig, so drilling pocket holes becomes almost effortless.


If you are building professionally, you'll probably be customizing to fit your customer's needs.  Here are a few tips to consider:

  • 1x boards can span about 3 feet, 2x boards about 4 feet.  When in doubt, add additional supports

  • Consider building to maximize materials use to keep your costs down.  I am always thinking in terms of 12", 16", 24" and 32" cut lengths to optimize use of an 8' board.

  • Table height is 30", counterheight is 36", benches are normally 18", coffee tables between 16" - 18".  Check sizing with retail sites to make sure your projects fit standards.

  • Reclaimed wood is very ideal to use because it may be acclimated to your climate, is more environmentally sustainable, and provides character not available otherwise.  It's also generally less expensive if you reclaim it yourself and can be a competitve advantage over someone purchasing furniture.

  • Do a good job.  Furniture is a huge market, and creates an unbelieveable amount of shipping waste and packaging waste.  Locally made furnitue, using local materials or reclaimed materials, is the responsible choice in home furniture.  Let's keep customers happy and coming back for more.

  • The finish is everything.  Put your time into a remarkable finish.


There's always something to learn about woodworking, always ways to improve how something is built.  I strive to find that balance of value - where it still makes sense to go the DIY route, and you get a quality project in the end that you love and enjoyed building.  But there's much more to woodworking than what I've outlined above and I hope some of you go on to own routers and planers and joiners.

Here's to lots of awesome projects! 











Tue, 12/29/2015 - 13:24

Hi Ana.  I've been following your beautiful plans for years. I realized I never signed up so here I am.  I have become better at wood projects as I build but I have a hard time understanding the angles cuts like "30 off square short point to short point" Parallel o not parallel? I tried looking in your web site for videos and a;so in other web sites with no luck.  Do you have any advise on videos about that or can you make a video about angle cuts? Thank you and happy New Year. I love your creativity. Gaby



Sat, 01/02/2016 - 10:50

Hello Ana,

Many Greetings from Germany:) 

We love your Playhouse Loftbed and really cant wait to build it.

But we got problems with mass. The normal mass in Germany is meter / centimeter.

At the shoopinglist for example is listed "7 – 1x2s, 8′ long" but we have no idea for what this could stand for. 

Could you please give us an advice?

Thank you so much.



Tue, 01/05/2016 - 14:26

Hallo Kate,

Die Maße kann man nicht in cm umrechnen, da das Holz in Deutschland/Österreich andere Maße hat, andere Stärken, man müsste die ganze Zeichnung anpassen.

Ana's Buch ist aber auf Deutsch zu haben, es heisst "meine Möbel von mir gebaut" und beinhaltet 34 Projekte. Das Puppenhaus-Bett ist leider nicht im Buch, für Kinder jedoch eine Spielküche, Kindertisch, Kindersessel und ein Etagenbett für Kinder. Alle Maße sind in cm, meist für MDF-Platten z. B. 19mm dick.

Alles ist sehr gut beschrieben, ich kann das Buch auch für Anfänger empfehlen :-)

 schau mal hier: http://www.amazon.de/Meine-M%C3%B6bel-gebaut-Projekte-ganze/dp/39544001…


Liebe Grüße



Thu, 03/03/2016 - 22:01

Hi Ana!

I am a newer woodworker as well as a new blogger. I just started my site.  I love all of your tips for getting started with woodworking and am wondering what type of tips you have for getting started with blogging. my site is https://splintersandbits.wordpress.com




Fri, 04/08/2016 - 15:30

Yes I could not find the right place for a comment to thank Ana white for her website. I built the Farmhouse bed. and the wife loves it. We are going to build the Nightstands now to Show it off. Would like a plan for a Dresser 6 or 9 drawers. When I figure out how to post to the right location I will brag and show my End products. I am new to DIY and love it. Thanks again Ana

Ana White Admin

Sat, 04/09/2016 - 14:11

Hello, We have quite a few dresser plans. For now the best search option is google. I would recommend a google image search for "Ana White dreser" and "Ana White drawers"


Mon, 05/02/2016 - 16:06

Built mantle from your plans last week. Came out great. Thanks 


Kevin Noa


Mon, 06/20/2016 - 07:22


are there any possibilities to use the plans in Germany? Some kind of a formula how to adjust the measurements?




Fri, 06/24/2016 - 09:05

Hi Ana,

I'm wondering if I can mix wood species in a build?  I want to do one of the farm house tables.  I found someone local that has reclaim barn wood, oak, that I'd like to use for the legs, and someone else has rough cut cherry at 1 1/4" that i'd like to use for the top.  Is this a no no or can it be done?  Thanks.


Sat, 11/30/2019 - 03:52

Hi, another "Ana-White" Fan, Personally, There are basically 2 types of woods - soft and hard, So as long as they are all hard or soft. Like pine is soft but oak is hard. Another website with helpful info like that would be popularwoodworking.com or finewoodworking.com. They have articles on projects like that I think. 


Thu, 06/30/2016 - 09:55

As I have said in my bio, I have a rare disorder that affects mobility. I get around fine now, but I have to be very mindful of what I do. I am not incapable. I am obsessed with building my own tiny home... and it can't happen quickly, I have to raise funds, find land and so on. BUT.. step one is the plan. I can't use most plans I find because they rely on loft space for bedrooms or for storage. I could use it for storage if it isn't stuff I need often - but I can't rely on climing any sort of ladder or stairs long term. I have to have an accessible tiny home. So it will have to be longer or wider or some arrangement that gives me what I need. I can't just have a 24ft one... that would be far too samll when one takes the accessible aspects into account. I don't know... perhaps building two structures that can be connected somehow might work? As an artist I'd like to add an out building that would be a studio space any way. A lot of storage is required for the art materials... and I want to have the studio be separate so I can focus on the work I do. In my head, right or wrong, workable or not, I have had this vision of three little buildings, that together still don't add up to the sort of excessive space most of us live in now. I imagine them either being just nestled together with a large free standing roof/shelter/awning over the area where the three of them sit together. I see it as then having a deck connecting them as well. So during the summer I can use that area as an external living area but in the winter I wouldn't have to go far to get to the other spaces. I'm wondering if I should modify one plan to just be bigger (wider or longer or both) or if doing three smaller plans is the right way to go. I am almost certain that we don't have the same restrictions on home size here that the US has... but I don't know if having it be on wheels is a good idea or no... I'd like it to stay put but maybe be "possible" to move it...?


I don't know... I just need real help. Thanks.

Doug B

Thu, 07/07/2016 - 10:32

I tell people that the number one rule for carpentry is you can screw things down but try not to screw things up!


Wed, 07/13/2016 - 14:43



I'm looking for a place to ask you or your crew a question and this is what I found. I'm building the 2 x 4 Outdoor Couch. Where do you get the cushions? Thanks, Steve


Mon, 08/15/2016 - 08:41

Greetings Friends.

I recently purchased the Kreg Jig R3 Version with the DIY set. I am new to this whole scene and was wondering if I need to purchase the Kreg Guide as it didn't come with the kit that I bought/. Is this a necessity or will I be alright without it. I haven't used my Kreg yet, but will be soon and want to be prepared before I get into the project and figure out I need something else or that it would've made things easier.


Thank you for your help!!


Sat, 08/27/2016 - 08:46

  1. I was wondering if you could tell me the total cost of your tiny house project? The trailer included. Even just a rough "ball park" total cost amount? Thanks!  I am considering building it... I think I will be following your plans almost exact (full mementoes version)   I'll be doing it by myself... But will be contracting out some of the work (spray foam, plumbing, electrical..) thanks so much!!!


Sat, 11/05/2016 - 07:29

Hi Ana,

We are making the Fancy X Farm House table for my daughter-in-law house but can not find the instructions on how to attach the table top.  I'm assuming it would be from the bottom so that it doesn't show thru the top - but where would we put the screws?   Husband, who has more experience than I is also asking.  BTW  - love your site.   


Sun, 11/13/2016 - 10:39

Anybody know where I can find plans for a corner style double oven cabinet? Remodeling my kitchen and building everything from scratch and have found plans for nearly everything right here, but can't seem to find oven cabinet plans at all much less one for a corner. I've even started searching for just tall corner cabinet plans that I could modify but I'm not having any luck going that route either


Sat, 12/03/2016 - 08:04

Hi! I am so in love with this bed! I have been looking for someone to build it for me and have been unsuccessful. I've contacted contractors and cabinet builders as well. 

Any advice ...... I am not handy, work excessively and honesty don't have the time. I have even been searching for a used one..... hoping that someone's child has outgrown the bed and I can purchase but no luck so far. 

Any advice is greatly appreciated. 




Tue, 12/27/2016 - 11:32

Hi Ana,

I just setup a login for your site.  You have so many beautiful projects and ideas.  I also like how you do not talk down to anyone but make all feel welcome to try their hand at your projects. 

Have a Happy New Year!


Ken Stegeman

Tue, 01/17/2017 - 14:48

I just created a new user account, but when I navigate between different pages there is a "Login" button at the top of the page which makes me think that I'm not recognized. There's no drop-down box with a "log out" option, and I want to make sure to do that after a visit.  Please advise...


Also, just a huge THANK YOU for all of the fantastic projects here!  I recently joined Pinterest and first ran across your website from there and I've become a bit of an addict...






Tue, 01/17/2017 - 16:13

Hi Ana & Crew, I am so held up on building the Henry desk, I know you have before (can't find it again) but could you possibly explain the what is an off square, NOT parallel, long point to long point measurements. I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much for helping me find something that I enjoy, hoping someday to be as good. Susan TY!!!


Fri, 02/03/2017 - 07:48

Dear Ms. Susan, 

Off Square means not 90 degrees.  I went searching for the instructions and saw that the plan is asking for ten degrees off square.  Hopefully you have purchased the speed square and can use it to make your angle line.  http://www.familyhandyman.com/tools/how-to-use-a-speed-square/view-all


Long point to long point measurement is where you take your tape measure and measure from the long point on one end to the other long point on the other end.  The tape will bisect the piece of lumber (board) just about in half.  These are helpful, but not necessary



there should be some play in the silver catch of your tape measure, its supposed to be that way, don't try to take a hammer and tighten it.


hope this helps,


In reply to by Moltroub


Fri, 09/15/2017 - 19:37

hello, I was wondering if you happen to know a good reference for beginners to understand stuff like off square , short to long etc. I'm very new and was wondering if you happen to know if any videos or resources to help me with the basics. Thank you 


Mon, 02/06/2017 - 05:02

I love your tiny house you just finished! Looking at it I would make a couple of changes to the bedroom area. I would probably make the window shorter so I could make a small closet at the end of bed and possibly a window at the side of the bed following the roof line. I love the elevator bed but would add a low head board to protect the artwork and lean on when reading in bed. 

Also a suggestion is to make a rolling closet that would go under the bed at the foot if the bed if it is not lowered all the way that could be used as a 2nd step to the half lowered bed if you are using the lounger as a 2nd bed. It could be rolled close to the lounger as a working surface with an extra flap possibly at the back that flips up as a table that gives room for your knees when using it. If lowering the bed right down it could be rolled out of the way.



Tue, 02/21/2017 - 11:13

I cannot fgure out the angle cuts when it says "parallel to each other long point to short point".  Am I cutting both cuts in the same direction

like this /____/

 or in the opposite direction

Like this /__\ 

Thanks for any assistance.  


Tue, 02/21/2017 - 11:13


like this /____/

 or in the opposite direction

Like this /__\ 

Thanks for any assistance.  


Sat, 02/25/2017 - 14:50

Hi Ana

Currently I am working as a Handyman in London, I am just a new startup (only me) and I was always interested in tiny houses. My partner and I are thinking to buy a new house but I would love to design and build mine in Spain. I was doing some research and tiny houses in Spain are not implemented yet. Could you please give me some tips about how to start the process? 

Also I would like if possible to leave here my website, you can check there some of my portfolio.

I was refurbishing houses with more than 150 years, called rural houses in Spain.

wehandy handyman



Sat, 12/07/2019 - 11:20

I just found your amazing channel.  We built a house many years ago but not the cabinets, etc. I notice that you use software, can you share the software program you use?

Thank you

Linda Meredith

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