For your highschool woodworking project start with simple ones like a birdhouse, wooden planter box, cutting board, or bookshelf. These projects can be completed using simple hand tools such as a saw, hammer, screwdriver, and drill. A lathe, power drill, or jigsaw may also be handy for some projects.
This article will list some interesting woodworking projects that only require a few supplies and can be used as high school woodworking projects.
These projects teach different woodworking techniques like planning, measuring, joinery, cutting, etc.
What’s in this article?
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10 Woodworking Projects for High Schoolers
| Project | Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pen Holder | Beginner | 2 hours | $5-10 |
| Mini Baseball Ball | Beginner | 2 hours | $5-10 |
| Picture Frame | Beginner | 4 hours | $10-20 |
| Birdhouse | Beginner | 4 hours | $10-15 |
| Puzzle | Beginner | 4 hours | $10-15 |
| Keepsake Box | Intermediate | 8 hours | $20-30 |
| Spoons | Intermediate | 8 hours | $20-30 |
| Serving Tray | Intermediate | 8 hours | $20-30 |
| Bookshelf | Intermediate | 8 hours | $20-30 |
| Chess Set | Advanced | 16 hours | $50-70 |
Pen Holder Woodworking Project
| Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 2 hours | $5-10 |
You can make a pen holder as a great woodworking project for high school. You can tailor it to your skill level, from beginner to experienced.
You only need basic items like wood, a saw, sandpaper, and a drill.
Softwoods like pine are good for beginners, while experienced students could use hardwoods like oak or cherry.
You can also use various woods and stains and add decorative features like carvings and inlays.
With a suitable finish, it looks beautiful and can be placed to store pens, pencils, and other small items.
This project teaches measuring, cutting, sanding, drilling, and finishing techniques.
You’ll need a saw, sandpaper, a drill, and a range of hand tools like chisels, hammers, and screwdrivers to complete the job.
You may also need a lathe, depending on your design.
Remember to follow safety procedures, especially when using power tools like a lathe.
Mini Baseball Bat Woodworking Project
| Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 2 hours | $5-10 |
Making a mini baseball bat is enjoyable and rewarding for a high school woodworking class.
Students can learn various woodworking skills, such as measuring, cutting, shaping, sanding, and finishing.
Depending on the desired weight and strength, you can use wood like maple, ash, or bamboo for the project.
In addition, the project can be completed with salvaged or recycled wood, which is a great way to teach children about sustainability and reusing resources.
It also allows you to express your style and show your artistic abilities.
The finished product can be used as a decorative item or as a trophy for your school baseball tournament.
If you’re making it as a trophy, be creative with the finishing and decoration. You can even customize it for the winning team.
You would need essential hand tools like saws, chisels, hammers, lathes, and screwdrivers to complete the project.
Power tools such as a drill press, band saw, and belt sander would also be useful.
Picture Frame Project
| Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 4 hours | $10-20 |
A picture frame project is an excellent option for a high school woodworking class.
It’s appropriate for students of all skill levels, from beginner to intermediate.
For this project, you’ll need a saw, hammer, nails or screws, sandpaper, and a drill.
It’s a great way to learn different woodworking techniques and be able to customize the final product.
You’ll need to buy wood for the frame, a backing board, and a glass or acrylic cover for the project.
Depending on your knowledge and experience in woodworking, it should take 2-6 hours to complete the project.
Get creative with your design and the stain/paint you choose. You can also add inlays or engravings to make the frame unique.
The project’s complexity will depend on the design and wood you choose.
When you’re finished, the frames make great displays for pictures or artwork.
A picture frame project is a great way to practice and expand your woodworking skills while making something beautiful.
Birdhouse Woodworking Project
| Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 4 hours | $10-15 |
You can build a birdhouse as a high school woodworking project to learn new woodworking methods and skills.
It can also be a creative and fun activity that lets you express yourself.
Building a bird home is usually a beginner-level task. You will need wood, nails, screws, and paint or stain.
Wood commonly used for birdhouses includes cedar, pine, and plywood.
Birdhouses can be decorative and functional, and you can paint or stain them in different colors and designs to attract birds.
This project will also teach you woodworking skills such as cutting and shaping wood, using tools and machines, and finishing techniques.
You will need to use saws, drills, sanders, and other tools to complete the project, which will help you improve your woodworking abilities.
Making a birdhouse allows you to master various woodworking techniques, be creative, and make a valuable and attractive item for your yard or garden.
Puzzle Woodworking Project
| Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 4 hours | $10-15 |
Building a puzzle is a clever project. It can accommodate any skill level – from novice to experienced.
The type of wood you use will depend on the look you want and the difficulty of the project.
Different types of wood require various tools, so ensure you have everything you need before starting.
Puzzles can be both attractive and functional, and they make great gifts.
By building puzzles, you learn woodworking skills like cutting, shaping, sanding, and polishing.
You’ll need basic tools like a saw, drill, sandpaper, and clamps for a simple puzzle project. For a more intricate puzzle, you might need a router, bandsaw, or scroll saw.
With the proper safety precautions and a bit of time, anyone can make a unique and beautiful puzzle.
Keepsake Box Project
| Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | 8 hours | $20-30 |
You can make a keepsake box to learn basic woodworking techniques like measuring, cutting, and joining.
Plywood and solid wood are great materials for this project, and you can also decorate them in various ways, such as creatively painting, carving, or inlaying with other materials.
This project has a low difficulty level and is suitable for beginners, but you must ensure you use the right safety equipment, like goggles and gloves, and handle tools correctly.
You’ll need a saw, drill, hammer, measuring tape, and basic hand tools like chisels, screwdrivers, and a level to complete the project.
When you’re done, your memento box will be an elegant and practical gift that can also hold tiny objects like jewelry or trinkets.
With patience and effort, you can make a beautiful keepsake box.
Wood Spoon Project
| Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | 8 hours | $20-30 |
Spoons are a great project for high schoolers. You can make spoons that are simple or complex based on your skill.
Making spoons can teach you several woodworking skills, such as choosing the suitable wood, planning, shaping, sanding, and finishing.
You need wood and finishes to make spoons, and the project may take a few hours to a few days, depending on its complexity and intended output.
Designs of the spoons can be decorative or functional, ranging from simple to ornate and unique.
To make spoons, you will need basic hand tools like a saw, chisels, and a hammer, and sometime you may need power tools like a lathe, belt sander, and drill press (if available).
You can also make spoons with simple hand tools, which takes more time and effort.
Making spoons is a great project that allows for creativity and self-expression, and you can adjust it to your skill level and interests while learning fundamental woodworking skills.
Wood Serving Tray Project
| Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | 8 hours | $20-30 |
You can make a serving tray as a woodworking project as simple or intricate as you want, so it’s excellent for beginner and experienced students.
Maple, cherry, and oak are great wood choices for a serving tray, but pick one that’s safe for food.
To complete the job, you’ll need a range of equipment, such as saws, chisels, hammers, screwdrivers, drills, and sanding and finishing tools.
A table saw, jointer, and thickness planer may be helpful too, but they are not necessary for simple tray projects.
Making a serving tray is a great project that can teach you many woodworking skills. And you can use it functionally or as decoration.
Bookshelf Woodworking Project
| Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | 8 hours | $20-30 |
A bookcase is a great woodworking project for high school students of all skill levels.
Hardwoods such as maple, oak, and walnut are best for the shelves, while softer woods like pine are ideal for the frame.
You will also need adhesives, coatings, and hardware such as shelf supports. The time required to build a bookshelf will depend on your skill level and the complexity of the design.
A bookshelf project emphasizes creativity by allowing you to design and build unique bookcases of various sizes, shapes, wood, and finishes.
You can also add decorative elements to the bookcase, like inlays or carving, to make it look more attractive.
It can be built as an ornamental piece or a functional project to store and display books and other items like photos and souvenirs.
This project will teach you how to pick and work with different types of wood, use hand and power tools, build different joints, and apply finishes.
Depending on the design, you may also require machines such as a table saw, drill press, and sanders.
Chess Set Project
| Difficulty Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced | 16 hours | $50-70 |
A chess set is a great woodworking project for high school students of any skill level. The project allows students to practice creativity while learning about different types of wood, joinery, and finishing procedures.
You must prioritize safety when working on this project. Learn to correctly use equipment and machinery like a table saw, drill press, and sanders.
Also, test and understand how to handle and apply woodworking adhesives and finishes securely.
The supplies needed for making a chess set depend on the design, but most chess sets require different wood types.
Popular hardwoods like maple, oak, and walnut are usually used for the pieces, while softer woods like pine are generally used for the board.
Additionally, you’ll need adhesives, coatings, and hardware like chess piece weights.
It’s also a very creative project, as students can design and build custom chess pieces and boards.
You can try out various shapes and sizes of pieces and different woods and finishes.
Adding decorative elements like inlays or carving will improve the project’s overall look.
The difficulty of the project will depend on the student’s skill and the design’s complexity.
By doing a project like a chess piece, you’ll learn how to pick and work with different types of wood, use hand and power tools, and apply finishes.
The equipment and machinery needed for this project vary, but a basic set usually includes a table saw, drill press, and sanders.
Other tools for such projects include chisels, hand planes, and various hand saws.
Things To Consider for Highschool Woodworking Projects
Wood selection
When selecting wood for a woodworking project, it’s essential to consider its qualities and how they will influence the outcome.
Different wood species have various densities, strengths, and grain patterns, which can affect the finished product’s weight, durability, and appearance.
Due to their strength and durability, hardwoods such as maple, ash, and oak are generally used for woodworking projects.
However, softer woods like pine or cedar are often used for ornamental crafts.
Machines
Power tools are often used in woodworking projects to make cutting, shaping, and sanding wood easier and faster.
Following are some standard woodworking machines and their use cases.
| Tool | Application |
|---|---|
| Table saws | Used to cut wood in two directions |
| Band saws | Used to cut curves and irregular forms |
| Drill presses | Used to drill straight and accurate holes |
| Belt sanders | Used to sand and smooth surfaces |
| Lathes | Used to turn and shape circular items |
Hand tools
Even if you use power tools for your project, you’ll need hand tools to manage the work better.
You’ll need the following standard hand tools for most woodworking jobs.
| Tool | Application |
|---|---|
| Handsaw | for cutting |
| Chisel | for shaping and removing wood |
| Plane | for flattening surfaces |
| Hammer | for assembly and disassembly |
Safety equipment
Safety is always a top priority in any woodworking job. To keep students safe, they should be provided with essential safety equipment.
This includes goggles, gloves, ear protection, and a dust mask to prevent inhaling dust and wood particles.
Safety guidelines
When working on your project, learning and following safety principles is important.
To ensure safety, be proactive, maintain a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher, and keep a clean and organized work area.
Additionally, follow good tool and material handling procedures, and avoid wearing clothes or jewelry that could get caught in the equipment.
Using a dust collection system
A dust collecting system is an essential component of any woodworking operation. It aids in keeping the work environment clean and dust-free.
Supervision
Proper professional supervision is essential to perform a successful woodworking project in school.
When students use power tools and equipment, teachers should monitor them to ensure they use them safely and correctly.
Additionally, teachers should be available to help students with their projects and answer any questions.
Final Thoughts
Woodworking is a beneficial skill that offers students multiple advantages. It helps them to express their creativity, learn technical skills, and gain hands-on experience.
Students can learn to measure, join components, and finish products through woodworking projects.
These skills benefit anyone pursuing a career in carpentry, furniture building, architecture, construction, or similar fields.
Furthermore, woodworking helps students to develop creative skills such as design, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
Small woodworking projects in high school can give a good foundation for students interested in these careers.
It also teaches them patience, perseverance, and a sense of success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What woodworking project is most profitable?
The type of profitable woodworking project is determined by the ability, tools, and materials accessible to the woodworker and the product’s demand. Some of the most profitable woodworking projects are custom furniture, cabinets, woodturning, etc.
How do I choose a wood project?
You can choose a woodworking project by considering your skill level, the tools you have at your disposal, supplies, and available time. Choosing a woodworking project may be an exciting and interesting process, but it can also be difficult if you don’t know where to begin.
What is the golden rule in woodworking?
The golden rule in woodworking is “measure twice, cut once.” It implies that you should carefully measure and label your wood before making any cuts to ensure that you are cutting it to the right size. You may prevent errors and waste precious resources by measuring twice and cutting once.
