Sawdust Smart

About

About Sawdust Smart

Practical woodworking tips and project plans, written in plain English for people who build in a garage, basement, or corner of the apartment.

Who it's for

Sawdust Smart is for anyone who wants to make things out of wood, whether you're buying your first saw or planning your first piece of real furniture. You don't need a big shop or expensive machines to get started, and you don't need to know the jargon. We explain it as we go.

What you'll find here

  • Tips (12 so far): short, focused articles on safety, measuring, buying lumber, joinery, milling, glue-ups, and finishing.
  • Project plans (6 so far): each one has a tool list, a cut list where the numbers add up, a rough time and cost estimate, and step-by-step instructions.
  • Skill levels: everything is labeled Beginner, Intermediate, or Expert, so you can start where you're comfortable and move up when you're ready.
  • Where to buy: a short guide to stores and suppliers for tools, lumber, finishes, and hardware, including used tools.

How we write

  • Practical and specific. Real dimensions, real steps, and the reasons behind them.
  • Based on well-established practice. We stick to the techniques woodworkers have relied on for a long time, and we say so when something is a rule of thumb rather than a hard rule.
  • Safety first. Where a step depends on a particular tool, we tell you to follow that tool's manual. Manufacturers' instructions always come before general advice.
  • Honest about costs. Cost and time figures are rough estimates. Lumber prices vary a lot by region and season.
  • No paid placements. We don't take payment for recommendations, and our links to stores aren't affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Who runs it

Sawdust Smart is owned and run by Cody Lee. Questions, corrections, and project requests are welcome: if you spot an error in a plan or a tip, please let us know and we'll fix it.

A note on safety

Woodworking tools can cause serious injury. Everything here is general information. Always read and follow your tool manufacturers' instructions, use the guards and protective equipment they call for, and work within your own experience. If a cut feels unsafe, stop and find another way. Start with Shop Safety Essentials.

About the pictures

The photos on our tips and plans are inspiration images: openly licensed photos and artwork, credited under each image and on our image credits page. They show the kind of project or technique being discussed, not necessarily the exact piece in the plan.