The DIY label could apply to a wide range of skill levels. From simple assembly to handcrafted furniture, there are many level of experience, tools, and working space required. This site is intended for those in the middle range.
– Flat Box Assembler:
Must have tools: screwdriver
May have: hammer, glue
For those that are happy with particle board construction that only requires a screwdriver, this site is not for them. There are many stores, including a large Scandinavian furniture store with a confusing layout, that can serve their needs nicely.
– Homemaker:
Must have: power drill
May have: jig saw, staple gun
This is who this site is intended for. You feel capable of more than the simple-enough-for-the-public process of assembling the pre-fab furniture, but have only a few tools, and limited ability to build completely from scratch. This site focuses on projects that can be built with limited resources, and no fancy power tools.
– Tinkerer:
Must have: circular saw or power miter box
May have: air compressor & pneumatic tools, drill press, power sander
These folks may find some of the stuff on this site a bit rudimentary, but will still find many worthwhile projects. You probably already build some simple stuff, but lack the tools for fancy joinery or intricate processes. You could build much more sophisticated pieces if you just had a few of the high precision parts pre-built.
– Woodworker:
Must have: table saw & numerous home-made jigs, router
May have: lathe, planer, dust collection systems, you name it…
This site is not intended for the advanced woodworker. They would be unimpressed by the simple construction methods and lack of dovetail joints.
Projects on this site will focus on those that can be built with a limited set of tools. A drill will certainly be a requirement, and some type of saw.
The type of saw available is a big variable. Options for cutting include:
– get the lumber store to make the cuts
– a hand saw with a miter box
– a jig saw
– a circular saw
– a power miter box
The lumber store may be hesitant to guarantee the accuracy of the cut lengths. The hand saw is labor intensive, and difficult to get very clean cuts. The jig saw saves elbow grease, but also falls short of a clean cut, and relies on the user to get a proper right angle. The circular saw provides nice clean cuts, but still relies on the user for a right angle.
The power miter box is the ultimate saw for the do-it-yourself furniture builder. However, they generally cost well over $100, and do not fit in a drawer for storage, so they are not that common for the small-time tinkerer. One if the priorities of this site will be accounting for the type of saws available to different builders.
Other saw types that are less likely to be used in these circumstances include table saws (used more by professionals), reciprocating saws (best for demolition), and band saws (best for small tightly curved cuts).