Woodworking Essentials: Benches & Boxes

Make a simple bench, a dovetail bench and a dovetail box as you discover a variety of small woodworking project ideas and techniques. Woodworking professional and instructor Mike Siemsen shows you how to sharpen a chisel and shares tips on proper usage. Next, find out how to construct a simple workbench top, and use effective hand-sawing techniques. Then, build a sturdy, simple bench with secure dado joints. Go step by step through building a more complex bench with snug, clean dovetails, and use a compass and coping saw to cut an impressive ogee design in your bench apron. For your box project, you’ll create dovetails with an excellent fit, construct mortise hinges for the lid, add decorative hardware and finish your work with shellac. Enjoy making three useful, personalized projects as you build essential hand tool skills.