Скачать или смотреть A Beginner Build You’ll Actually Use

When you’re just getting into woodworking, it can be hard to know where to start. This beginner-friendly project is part of a new series focused on quick wins: useful things you can build in an afternoon, using just one board and some basic tools.

In this video, I build a wooden toilet paper holder with a small shelf for your phone—because our old one kept dropping rolls, and I figured: if I can fix it, why not make it better?

You'll learn how to cut miters, glue up a simple box, drill clean dowel holes, and (optionally) add splines for strength and style. I also share tips on layout, avoiding miter saw slop, and hand-sanding techniques that make this project feel dialed-in without being complicated.

This is a great woodworking project for beginners: minimal tools, low material cost, and something you’ll actually use every day.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a quick win in the shop, this project is a great way to build confidence and make something useful.

TOOLS USED
Miter Saw
Table Saw
Miter Gauge
Square
Flush Trim Saw
Mallet
Wood Glue
Optional (Spline Jig-Plans Available)
Blue Tape

FINISH:
Total Boat Wood Honey

MATERIALS:
One board of white oak, walnut offcuts for splines, plywood backer, wood glue, oil finish



Chapter Time Stamps:

00:00 - Intro: "Can I Make That Out of Wood?"
00:12 - Why I Built a Toilet Paper Shelf
00:28 - Measuring Toilet Paper + Board Layout
01:00 - Cutting Miters (Miter Saw vs Table Saw)
02:05 - Table Saw Setup for Accurate Miters
03:00 - Marking and Drilling the Dowel Holes
03:30 - Gluing and Taping the Miters
04:15 - Cleaning Glue Squeeze-Out
04:40 - Optional: Adding Walnut Splines
05:32 - Cutting and Fitting the Splines
06:30 - Gluing Splines and Flush Trim
07:29 - Squaring Rabbets with a Chisel
08:00 - Sanding Faces with Bench Sandpaper
08:20 - Cutting and Gluing on the Back Panels
09:00 - Final Sanding and Finish
09:25 - Closing Thoughts for Beginner Woodworkers


If you’ve got ideas for other simple projects you’d love to see, drop them in the comments. This series is about quick wins, small victories, and learning to trust your hands.