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Woodworking Free Plans for Hobbyists 

Woodworking is defined as the process of building, making or carving something out of wood. As hobbyists, when we discuss woodworking we are generally talking about crafting manageable small functional or decorative items as opposed to building a house, for example. But building boats, tree houses, playhouses, doll houses, furniture, musical instruments and models all fall under the very broad heading of woodworking for hobbyists.

My favorite woodworking plan for hobbyists is very basic: start with one project, as simple as possible. Purchase the tools needed to complete the project and the wood necessary, and then complete the project. Your tools can be new or used as long as they are in good working order.

When you are first starting out with any woodworking free plans found online you don't want to put any time constraints on yourself to avoid feeling rushed. Take all the time you need to learn to use the tools and even practice a few times before you make changes to your key pieces of wood. Depending on what is being joined, carved, turned, or what kind of carpentry needs to be done, a little knowledge and a lot of experience go a long way.

Ambitious woodworking plans are encouraged but it really pays to start off with something you know you can handle from start to finish when you are just starting out. Making a set of building blocks can be a great first project because you will need to measure, cut, sand, and finish the wood getting familiar with all your tools. You could also learn to use a woodworking router to put letters and numbers on the wood blocks similar to those available in stores.

Of course it is very inexpensive to buy a set of wood building blocks in a store and it will take a lot of time for you to make a set. However, the point of the project is to learn to use your tools and produce a product based on a design and finishing criteria. The blocks can be painted or stained, carved, or routed, and as fancy or plain as you desire. Each block can be a work of art in its own right - it doesn't matter. This basic woodworking plan for hobbyists is merely an introduction to woodworking tools and processes.

There is an appeal in a wooden toy to many parents because their kids have to add imagination. There are no lights or sounds other than those the child invents. Wooden toys encourage parents to involve their kids with classic wooden toys and then to back away as kids learn to play by themselves. Woodworking free plans online will help you understand the classic appeal of wooden toys.

Basic Wooden Toy Woodworking Plans and Projects

Free wooden toy woodworking plans and projects can be found online. Basic wooden toy plans and instructions can be purchased at hobby stores or you can make patterns by purchasing a toy you like, disassembling it and copying it. This works well for old toys when you want to have a pattern that is no longer available.

Here are some other suggestions for basic wooden toy woodworking plans and projects you might want to consider for your woodworking plan as a hobbyist instead of making classic wooden blocks.

1. The classic wooden puzzle: little kids can still appreciate classic wooden toys although they won't be on the top of anyone's Christmas list. Before the children get to the point of writing a Christmas list is the time to give them a popular wooden toy such as the classic wooden puzzle.
   
   Toddlers develop fine motor skills with the use of these durable wooden puzzles with knobs.  When little kids are just learning to use their fingers they can benefit from the easy to grasp knobs as they learn shapes, images and colors too.
   
2. Wooden shape sorters: another basic woodworking plan for a classic wooden toy, shape sorters are a sort of box with openings cut to match blocks cut into various shapes. This is a thinking toy for babies and toddlers and is a classic wooden toy that should be on every toy shelf.
   
   Natural wood finishes or colorful painted shapes can help children to recognize colors as well as shapes while using the shape sorter.
   
3. Wooden books: wooden 'pages' can be painted and strung together with yarn through holes drilled along one edge of each page. These wooden books can be made similar to the classic wooden puzzle with removable puzzle pieces or magnetic parts.
   
   Colors, shapes, letters, and stringing yarn are all benefits of wooden books when used by small children.
   
4. Wooden pull toys: classic wooden pull toys are something most kids have as toddlers. Ducks, dogs, chickens, pigs; animals, shapes, cars, trucks, trains, planes, whatever you like. Classic wooden pull toys put anything on wheels and has a cord put through so toddlers can pull the toys along behind them as they learn to walk and run.

Use Woodworking Scraps to Make Wooden Toys

It isn't necessary to purchase wood for small wooden toy projects when you have a scrap pile of wood left over from larger projects. Even if you don't have a pile of wood scraps you may know someone who does. Hobbyists are always looking for ways to economize and use or reuse materials to their fullest value.

Recycling old materials into new wooden toys can be very rewarding. Just be sure there are no lead based paints on old materials, and once refinished, the wood will be like new again. You can give new life to discarded wooden toys by dismantling them and refurbishing them too. Things don't always have to be made of new wood when there are supplies of useable old wood pieces around.

Author Credit: 
Mary Campbell is an avid gardener, writer, collector, photographer, and general hobbyist. Her writing topics include articles like woodworking free plans for hobbyists.  

Copyright 2006 © Mary Campbell

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