Tools

Tools we use

The tools these plans call for, and what each one is for. You don't need all of them: each plan lists exactly what it needs.

• Miter saw. Makes square and angled crosscuts fast and repeatable. A 10″ saw handles 2x lumber; a 4x4 usually needs two passes. Used in: Farmhouse Coffee Table, Modern Coffee Table, Rustic X Coffee Table, Farmhouse End Table, Farmhouse Console Table, Farmhouse Bench, Modern End Table, Modern Console Table, Rustic X End Table, Rustic X Console Table, Rustic X Bench, Farmhouse TV Stand, Modern Plant Stand, Raised Garden Bed, Outdoor Coffee Table, Firewood Rack, Shoe Rack, Blanket Ladder, Cube Bookshelf, Compact Workbench, Sawhorses, Kids' Table, Low Toy Shelf, Farmhouse Dining Table, Farmhouse Dining Bench, Farmhouse Nightstand, 2x4 Garden Bench, Tall Planter, Slatted Compost Bin, Potting Bench, Tool Tote, Floating Shelves, Stackable Storage Crates, 2x4 Garage Shelving, Wall Spice Rack, Wall-Mounted Headboard, Modern Nightstand, Garment Rack, Floating Nightstand, Kitchen Island Cart, Book Display Shelf, Counter-Height Stool, Elevated Planter Box, Low Dog Bed Frame, Leaning Ladder Shelf, Rolling Lumber Cart, Countertop Wine Rack, 6 ft Picnic Table.
• Circular saw. The budget choice for crosscuts. Clamp a speed square or a straight board to guide it. Used in: Farmhouse Nightstand, Modern Nightstand, Floating Nightstand, Dog House, Rolling Lumber Cart, French-Cleat Tool Wall, Miter Saw Station.
• Saw. Any saw that cuts straight across a board: miter saw, circular saw or a sharp hand saw. Used in: One-Board Birdhouse, Cedar Planter Box, Serving Tray, Wall Coat Rack, Key Holder, Picture Ledge, Bookends, Elevated Dog Bowl Stand, Platform Bird Feeder, Tool Tote, Dog House.
• Pocket-hole jig. Drills angled holes so you can join boards with screws from the hidden side. Set it to the thickness of the board. Used in: Farmhouse Coffee Table, Modern Coffee Table, Rustic X Coffee Table, Farmhouse End Table, Farmhouse Console Table, Farmhouse Bench, Modern End Table, Modern Console Table, Rustic X End Table, Rustic X Console Table, Rustic X Bench, Farmhouse TV Stand, Modern Plant Stand, Outdoor Coffee Table, Firewood Rack, Shoe Rack, Blanket Ladder, Cube Bookshelf, Compact Workbench, Sawhorses, Elevated Dog Bowl Stand, Kids' Table, Low Toy Shelf, Farmhouse Dining Table, Farmhouse Dining Bench, Farmhouse Nightstand, Potting Bench, Modern Nightstand, Garment Rack, Kitchen Island Cart, Counter-Height Stool.
• Drill. A cordless drill/driver for pilot holes, pocket holes and driving screws. Used in: One-Board Birdhouse, Farmhouse Coffee Table, Modern Coffee Table, Rustic X Coffee Table, Farmhouse End Table, Farmhouse Console Table, Farmhouse Bench, Modern End Table, Modern Console Table, Rustic X End Table, Rustic X Console Table, Rustic X Bench, Farmhouse TV Stand, Modern Plant Stand, Raised Garden Bed, Cedar Planter Box, Outdoor Coffee Table, Firewood Rack, Shoe Rack, Blanket Ladder, Cube Bookshelf, Serving Tray, Compact Workbench, Sawhorses, Wall Coat Rack, Key Holder, Picture Ledge, Bookends, Elevated Dog Bowl Stand, Platform Bird Feeder, Kids' Table, Low Toy Shelf, Farmhouse Dining Table, Farmhouse Dining Bench, Farmhouse Nightstand, 2x4 Garden Bench, Tall Planter, Slatted Compost Bin, Potting Bench, Tool Tote, Floating Shelves, Stackable Storage Crates, 2x4 Garage Shelving, Wall Spice Rack, Wall-Mounted Headboard, Modern Nightstand, Garment Rack, Floating Nightstand, Kitchen Island Cart, Book Display Shelf, Counter-Height Stool, Elevated Planter Box, Low Dog Bed Frame, Leaning Ladder Shelf, Dog House, Rolling Lumber Cart, French-Cleat Tool Wall, Countertop Wine Rack, Miter Saw Station, 6 ft Picnic Table.
• Clamps. Hold parts flush while you drive screws. Two that open 24″ or more cover most furniture plans. Used in: One-Board Birdhouse, Farmhouse Coffee Table, Modern Coffee Table, Rustic X Coffee Table, Farmhouse End Table, Farmhouse Console Table, Farmhouse Bench, Modern End Table, Modern Console Table, Rustic X End Table, Rustic X Console Table, Rustic X Bench, Farmhouse TV Stand, Modern Plant Stand, Blanket Ladder, Cube Bookshelf, Serving Tray, Compact Workbench, Kids' Table, Low Toy Shelf, Farmhouse Dining Table, Farmhouse Dining Bench, Farmhouse Nightstand, 2x4 Garden Bench, Potting Bench, Tool Tote, Modern Nightstand, Floating Nightstand, Kitchen Island Cart, Counter-Height Stool, Leaning Ladder Shelf, French-Cleat Tool Wall, Countertop Wine Rack, 6 ft Picnic Table.
• Random orbit sander. Flattens joints and smooths faces without swirl marks. 80, 120 and 180 grit cover most projects. Used in: Farmhouse Coffee Table, Modern Coffee Table, Rustic X Coffee Table, Farmhouse End Table, Farmhouse Console Table, Farmhouse Bench, Modern End Table, Modern Console Table, Rustic X End Table, Rustic X Console Table, Rustic X Bench, Farmhouse TV Stand, Modern Plant Stand, Outdoor Coffee Table, Compact Workbench, Kids' Table, Farmhouse Dining Table, Farmhouse Dining Bench, Farmhouse Nightstand, Modern Nightstand, Kitchen Island Cart, Counter-Height Stool.
• Speed square. Marks square and 45° lines and doubles as a saw guide. Used in: One-Board Birdhouse, Farmhouse Coffee Table, Modern Coffee Table, Rustic X Coffee Table, Farmhouse End Table, Farmhouse Console Table, Farmhouse Bench, Modern End Table, Modern Console Table, Rustic X End Table, Rustic X Console Table, Rustic X Bench, Farmhouse TV Stand, Modern Plant Stand, Raised Garden Bed, Cedar Planter Box, Outdoor Coffee Table, Firewood Rack, Shoe Rack, Blanket Ladder, Cube Bookshelf, Serving Tray, Compact Workbench, Sawhorses, Bookends, Kids' Table, Low Toy Shelf, Farmhouse Dining Table, Farmhouse Dining Bench, Farmhouse Nightstand, 2x4 Garden Bench, Tall Planter, Slatted Compost Bin, Potting Bench, 6 ft Picnic Table.
• Hammer. For nailed projects. Pre-drill near board ends so the wood doesn't split. Used in: One-Board Birdhouse, Serving Tray, Key Holder, Picture Ledge, Tool Tote, Floating Shelves, Wall Spice Rack, Wall-Mounted Headboard, Floating Nightstand.
• A straight board. Any straight scrap works as a long ruler or a stand-in for the floor when you mark angled cuts. Used in: Rustic X Coffee Table, Rustic X End Table, Rustic X Console Table, Rustic X Bench.

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