Easy Woodworking Projects That Sell

Woodworking is a hobby enjoyed by millions of men and women around the globe. From those who participate in large scale operations with access to almost every type of woodworking tool imaginable, to the home woodworking enthusiasts plying their craft from their garage or shed, the art of woodworking is one of the most popular and well-loved hobbies on the planet.

And while many of these hobbyists focus almost exclusively on personal projects—projects they intend to keep and use—there is now a growing number of woodworkers who have found success in selling their crafty creations to the general public.

Pick Your Niche And Do Your Research

Have a look around the various market places to see what sells and for how much money. If you’re a beginner, you might want to start with some really basic wood projects, like picture frames for instance.

They can be made quite quickly and be made to look really attractive with some simple paintwork added. You’re also able to add value by producing custom sizes to customers requirements.

Once you’ve honed your skills on the basics, you can move on to slightly more advanced projects and expand from there.

So, if you like how that sounds and you want to transform your woodworking shop or garage into a money-making enterprise, the following article may prove very useful.

Here We Have A Selection Of Easy Wood Projects That You Can Make And Sell

To get you started, here in this article we have highlighted and explained several woodworking projects that seem to appeal to certain buyers in today’s market place—easy woodworking projects that truly sell!

Project 1: Square Wooden Stacker (Child’s Toy)

Do you remember the wooden stacker block toys you used to play with when you were a kid? The four square blocks, each with a center-drilled hole of different diameters, that you had to stack in just the right order of size over a vertical wooden tube and base?

Toys such as these, although considered old-fashioned today given the new child-loving gadgets on the market, can still offer a toddler hours of playful fun while also teaching the child valuable problem-solving skills.

Below we will describe these stacker toys in a bit more detail, and highlight some of the tools you will need to complete the project.

The base of the wooden stacker block toy is perhaps the most difficult to build. It consists of a square wooden base that must be drilled out about half way through with a cordless drill and large center bit.

Into this hole, a rod will be securely glued into the middle using wood glue. The rod you select will need to be tapered from bottom to top using any number of hand tools, such as a sander, chisel, and/or a handheld planer or lathe.

Next you will build the four square blocks that will go over this vertical rod. These blocks can be made from two-by fours that are cut to size. The largest block must be drilled out so as to comfortably, yet snugly fit over the base of the rod, where it is largest in diameter.

Each of the remaining blocks will also be drilled with the next diameter in mind.

For purposes of problem solving, it is important that all four of the blocks will only fit on the rod in a specific order, forcing the toddlers to examine each block before making a decision as to its placement.

With just some simple sawing, drilling, sanding and planing, you too can build a wooden stacker toy that you can sell at places like craft fairs and toy stores. There will always be a strong market for well made childrens toys.

Click here for full instructions from weefolkart.com on how to build this toy.

Project 2: Wood Box

The wood box is perhaps the most basic of all woodworking projects, but that does not mean it is necessarily the easiest.

Still, when completed, this little box will give you a grand feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. Moreover, because a box has such a wealth of potential uses, these types of woodworking projects tend to sell very well on the open market.

Whether it’s used to store coupons or bills, jewelry and makeup, or even small toys, there are literally a million uses for a well-made wooden box.

A simple wooden box should start with a rough piece of hardwood, such as oak or cherrywood, along with plywood that is cut to the size.

The types of tools needed to complete this project will really depend on the method of joinery you elect to use, but usually you will need a table saw to rip the wood pieces to length, a power drill for fastening hinges and inserting the necessary screws at the corners of the box, a hand sander to clean up the edges and sand the project smooth, and a paint brush for adding stain or paint to your new creation.

Keep in mind that there are many, many ways to construct a simple wooden box, but regardless if you choose screws, glue or even a dovetail joint to secure the various pieces of your box, when it is finished you will have a marketable creation that is very easy to sell.

Project 3: Bird Feeder

If you are looking for a project that will help you get closer to nature—a project that will also sell very well at craft fairs, street fairs, farmer’s markets and the like, than a birdfeeder project may be the ideal solution.

There are many different types of designs you can choose when making a bird feeder, designs that range from very simple to highly elaborate, but all of them will require a few necessary tools and at least a little bit of know-how.

Some of the tools required to make a birdfeeder range from power and hand saws to drills to power sanders. You will also require drill bits, a hammer and wood glue to create strong joints on the corners of your creation.

A bird feeder should consist of a roof, floor, four sides and adequate space for the birds to fly in and out.

Transparent sides are recommended, as these will allow you to monitor the bird feed level. Transparent sides will also allow you to watch the birds as they enter and exit the feeder.

Some bird feeders are designed to allow for “gravity feeding,” where more feed drops automatically into the feeding zone. Most bird feeders are constructed from ½ inch plywood or hardwood, although ¾ inch stock can also be used.

Once completed, we recommend that you thoroughly seal the wood with a wax sealant to protect it from rain and other moisture. People will certainly buy this.

Project 4: Cordless Drill Storage and Charging Station

This next project is a Godsend for any workshop or garage—a cordless drill storage compartment and a charging station for the batteries that operate them.

Made to hang from one of the walls in a workshop, a cordless drill storage system keeps all your drills and impact wrenches up and out of the way and, best of all, off the floor where they can become damaged.

The size of your cordless drill storage compartment and charging station will vary depending on how many drills and batteries need to be stored. You can even add a small drawer within the unit, giving you a convenient place in which to store your drill bits and other hardware.

To make the cordless drill storage and charging station you will need a four foot by four foot piece of plywood or hardwood. This wood is then cut down to size in order to form the top, bottom and sides of the storage system, as well as the dividers in between that will evenly space each drill from the next.

Unless you are using self-tapping screws, you will need to pre-drill each fastening point using a hand drill and small bit. This will keep the wood from splitting.

When all the pieces have been “screwed and glued” together, wait overnight for the glue on the cordless drill storage and charging station to dry, then sand it down carefully with a belt sander to smooth it.

Use screws to fix the top of the charging station to the wall studs in the garage, and be sure to locate the storage system next to an electrical outlet to make charging possible.

This wood project can command quite a decent price as it will normally be custom built to order.

Project 5: DIY Drawer Dividers

We all have that one drawer in our house that seems to be dedicated to junk. And the problem with a drawer like this is that you can never seem to find the item for which you are searching.

This can be frustrating at the very least and absolutely maddening at worst, leaving you wishing for a more organized space.

Fortunately, with these DIY drawer dividers you can introduce into your home a much more organized system of storage.

As their name suggests, DIY drawer dividers effectively divide the drawers in your home so that each type of item has its own particular spot. This type of organization not only makes items easier to find, it declutters your space—and your life.

DIY drawer dividers are typically made from a thin wood product like balsa wood. Once you measure the drawers and determine the pattern of the dividers, your best bet is to use a carpet knife to cut the dividers to size.

Then, while looking at the pattern, you can either glue and/or staple the various dividers together, before placing the dividers into the drawer.

This enables you to create a temporary organization solution without actually nailing or screwing into the drawer itself.

A good way to sell off-cut pieces of lumber!

Project 6: DIY Faux Drawer Console Table

Is the entry room of your home missing a great statement piece? Could you use a cool new table just inside the door that is sure to impress your neighbors and friends while also serving a number of convenient purposes?

If you said yes to both of these questions, a beautiful do-it-yourself faux drawer console table may be just what you need.

So what is a console table? A console table typically measures 5 to 6 feet in length, by roughly 3 feet in both width and height. It is intended to be the first piece of furniture seen by visitors, and it has plenty of surface area on which to place things like flowers, plants, artwork and other collectibles.

Although the knobs on the face of the faux drawer console table seem to indicate an underlying drawer of some kind, these knobs are typically just decorative in nature.

Making a console table such as this usually requires a table saw and/or a circular saw, a handheld drill and impact wrench, and a belt sander with several different grains of sandpaper.

Most craftsmen will also use wood glue on the structure. Once constructed, these items are very hot sellers at places like craft fairs and furniture expos, especially those made from quality hardwoods and those adorned with special features. This should fetch a good price if well made.

Project 7: Patio End Table

Are you one of the millions of Americans who enjoy outdoor entertaining? If so, this patio end table project will certainly impress your guests at your next BBQ or outdoor function.

Plastic patio end tables are sold by the thousands in this country, and while they serve an important function for some people, they are generally very flimsy and unstable.

For that reason alone, wood-based patio end tables such as these can be very marketable items.

The great thing about this patio end table is that the whole of the project is constructed using 2 by 4 lumber that is, of course, cut to various sizes. This includes the legs, top and bottom base, and the top and lower shelf on the piece.

The top of the patio end table, as well as the lower shelf, is made from 2 x 4 lumber that is laid across horizontally along the top base and bottom base, respectively, to form a sturdy and stable surface.

Because of the table’s potential exposure to the weather, certain types of lumber are better than others for this project, types such as redwood, cedar or even pressure-treated pine wood.

A good stain can spruce up the color and a sealant is also recommended.

Makers of this project will require a table saw or circular saw to cut the 2 x 4 lengths to size, a brad nail gun to tack pieces together after they have been glued up, and a power drill to screw the various pieces together.

The top can be fitted to the base using a pocket hole jig and the necessary screws. Should sell well during the summer months.

Project 8: DIY Wooden Coasters

If you’re looking for a project you could literally complete in just an hour or two—a project that will also sell—you might want to make some wooden coasters.

Wooden coasters can be made from a variety of wood types, and as long as you use a stain with a sealant at the finish you can get as creative as you want with these items.

To make wooden coasters, start with a long 1 x 4 piece of lumber in a wood of your choosing. Next, use a carpenter’s square or a tape measurer to mark every four inches along the piece.

Because the width of the board is already 4 inches, this will give you perfectly square coasters. Using a circular saw or miter saw, carefully make your cuts until you end up with 4-6 four-inch by four-inch squares.

With a block plane, you can now round off all the sharp edges on the pieces, then sand each coaster, first using a 120-grit paper before moving to 180-grit and finally 220-grit sandpaper.

This will give your coasters rounded off edges and a very smooth feel. Finish each coaster using wipe-on oil, and once that has dried, use a paste wax that will help repel liquid and ultimately lead to a longer lifespan for the coasters.

People will queue up to buy these if you pick the right lumber with nice figure and color!

Project 9:  Star Wars Shelf and Hyperspace Wall

If you “dare to go where no man has gone before,” you should really try building this unique Star Wars Shelf and hyperspace wall. Great for a sci-fi-loving children’s bedroom, this will definitely be a hot seller at your next fair.

To make the Star Wars Shelf and hyperspace wall you will need roughly 5 8-foot sections of 1×6 lumber. These pieces are then cut down to size to form both an inner and outer hexagonal shape, with pieces of lumber extending from the outside corners of the center hexagon to the inside corners of the outer hexagon.

These pieces are then glued together using a high-quality wood glue that will need to sit overnight to set. Once it has set, use silver magnetic paint to cover it.

Once you have made the hexagonal Star Wars Shelf, choose a space on the wall and paint this background blue. You can then add decals or trace in various Star Wars themed ships to create an awesome hyperspace wall that all children will love and want to buy.

Project 10: Cedar Bath Mat

Making a cedar bath mat is another project that can be completed quickly with just a few materials and tools. When finished, it will serve as a statement piece in your bathroom that is also very useful and unique.

The cedar lumber that you purchase for this project can be bought in either 1 x 2 or 1 x 6 lengths. If you choose the former, you will only need to make 1 rip cut down the middle of the pieces to create the desired 1-inch by 1-inch pieces you will use for the project, while a 1 x 6 will require 4 more rips.

Once you determine the dimensions you desire for your new cedar mat you can make the required cuts.

Using a round over bit and router, we recommend you round off any sharp edges on your slats before you start to nail the pieces together. Next, lay out the 8-10 slats that will serve as the top of your cedar mat, leaving approximately ¼ inch between each slat.

Cut three pieces of 1 x 1 cedar to match the width of the mat, and lay them on top of the slats perpendicularly, with one piece near either end and the last piece evenly spaced in the middle (this will be the bottom of the mat).

Use 1-1/4-inch brad nails to attach the bottom slats to the top of the bath mat.

Once everything has been assembled, you can use a sanding block to smooth out any rough edges on your creation before staining and sealing the bath mat.

We also recommend that you cut out some anti-slip pads and place them on the bottom of the cedar bath mat to prevent it from slipping underfoot.

An easy project and surely a bargain for buyers.

Project 11: Wooden Sofa Sleeve with Cup Holder

When cuddled up on your sofa, perhaps reading a book or watching TV, it can often feel very inconvenient to pitch forward to the coffee table every time you want a sip of your favorite beverage.

That is exactly why you need a wooden sofa sleeve with an integrated cup holder. A wooden sofa sleeve is a handy and ultra-cool invention, one that would be highly sought by any buyer that values convenience.

The first step in making the wooden sofa sleeve is to measure the arm of your couch (or the standard couch). Once you have determined the proper width and desired length of your couch sleeve, you can make your cuts using a circular saw or miter saw.

The two pieces that will effectively cover the width of the sofa should be of equal size for balance, while the top piece will vary in length depending on the user’s preference.

Prior to gluing and nailing the three cut pieces of lumber together, you will need to use a hole cutter to drill through (or almost through) the lengthwise board to create the cup holder. You will also need to sand any of the rough edges using a belt sander or block sander, and paint or stain the piece if you so desire.