How to Build Anything

Book excerpt: How to Build Anything with 3 Tools, 3 Boards, 3 Steps Building a wood project usually starts with finding a set of woodworking plans. Unfortunately, most plans assume too much from beginners-leaving out critical steps in the building process that experienced woodworkers no longer need. How to Build Anything fills in the missing pieces that woodworking plans and blueprints leave out, including: Which tools to buy - and how to use them. How to buy lumber - and get the best boards for the money. How to measure accurately - and avoid costly mistakes. Which fasteners to use - for making easy wood joints. How to build a box - the foundation of all furniture. PLUS: Cut-out templates and tool guides for making your next wood project quick, easy, and fun A Closer Look Inside: Chapter 1: Start Building with 3 Tools Of all the power tools you might be tempted to buy, only three are really necessary for building simple wood projects. Find out which tools to buy, and how to use the controls and adjustments that are often ignored. Chapter 2: Start Building with 3 Boards I'll uncover which boards are best suited for small projects, how to sort the good from the bad, and the best way to get boards off the shelf and home safely. Chapter 3: Start Building in 3 Easy Steps I've narrowed down the tricky process of building wood projects into three, bite-sized chunks of construction know-how: Measure & Mark, Clamp & Cut, and Assembly. Chapter 4: How to Build a Box Discover how the inner structure of nearly all wood projects is based on just three basic forms-a solid wood box, a carcass, and a frame. Chapter 5: Drilling & Driving Fasteners Stop fighting woodscrews In this section I'll explore the most common problems people have driving screws-and my favorite solutions. Chapter 6: How to Finish Pine Getting a nice finish on pine can be a challenge, but with the right preparation, pine can take on a beautiful, high-quality finish that will last for generations. Chapter 7: How to Build a Circular Saw Cutting Guide Most builders agree that the best way to cut plywood is with a circular saw. You can buy a commercial cutting guide for several hundred dollars-or build your own for less than 20 bucks. Chapter 8: EZ Pilot Hole Guides If a pilot hole is not in the right place, you can easily ruin a project by splitting the fragile edges of the boards you're trying to join. My EZ Pilot Hole Guides are the perfect solution. Chapter 9: EZ-Match Shop Charts No more guessing about which size drill bit and fastener to use My EZ-Match shop charts show you how to match bits and fasteners (shown actual size) to several sizes of boards. Includes charts for nails, woodscrews, and pocket holes.