Easy Table Saw Projects for Beginners

If you never used a table saw before, then it's time to complete a few basic projects. This will help you become familiar with this cutting machine. These projects are designed for beginners. Now, let’s get started.

Make a Wooden Box

List of Tools: plywood, table saw, 45-degree block, clamp, l-square

This is one of the simplest table saw projects to complete. Cut four even pieces to make a wooden square box. Then, cut the edges of each piece to make a 45 degree edge. This creates the joints for each side of the box. To cut at a 45 degree angle, clamp a 45 degree angle block into the edge of the table saw groove. Then, place the pieces along the block and push it into the saw blade to cut angled edges for each box piece. Arrange the four pieces into a square box. Cut a thin piece for the bottom of the box. If done properly, all the pieces should fit together and no additional material is needed to hold the box together.

Make a Chopping Board

List of Tools: 2X4, benchtop planer, table saw, glue, clamps, sandpaper

Another easy project to complete is making a cutting board. The first thing to do is flatten a 2X4 with a benchtop planer. Then, cut the 2X4 into several narrow rectangular pieces with a table saw. Two of the pieces should be of the same size and serve as the top and bottom borders of the cutting board. Glue all the pieces together and clamp them. Flatten the glued collection of pieces with a benchtop planer. Then, cut the ends with a table saw. It should be symmetrical. Sand the surface with sandpaper.

Make a Coat Rack

List of Tools: benchtop planer, table saw, push block, pencil, drill press, metal rod, router table, straight bit, ⅛-inch raised router bit, dovetail bit, chisel, power hand drill, screws

It’s easy to make a coat rack with a table saw. First, flatten one side of the wood with a benchtop planer (thickness planer). Then, square the edge to one side of the wood with a table saw. Push the wood past the saw as it cuts the edge at a 90-degree angle. Use a push block to cut it safely. Then, make cuts for the hooks and the front of the coat rack. Mark the cut points on the wood.

Next, drill holes for a metal rod. The holes for the interior pieces should go all the way through, and the holes for the two exterior pieces should be halfway (¼ inch). The rod can be inserted through all the wood pieces. Use a drill press to make the holes in all the pieces.

Round all the edges of the hooks with a ⅛-inch raised router bit. Create a dovetail channel on the back wood to keep the hooks attached to the wall. Drill two half holes into the back wood, and use a dovetail bit to carve the channel. The holes should be at opposite ends of the back wood. Create two narrow stubs (trapezoidal base and a rectangular top) for the channel as well. This will be used as wall hooks for the coat rack.

Make a Bird Feeder

List of Tools: 2X4, table saw, push block, sander, measuring tape, miter saw, plexiglass, glue, clamps, hammer, l-square, nail gun, hinges, power hand drill, screws

Another project that requires a table saw is building a bird feeder. To complete this project, you will need a 2X4. The first thing to do is make the 2X4 straight. Push the 2X4 into a table saw blade and cut the edges. Then, cut several pieces from the 2X4. Each piece should be thinner than a 2X4. Push the 2X4 into the table saw blade to cut it. Make several cuts. Here’s a picture of all the wood pieces that you need.

Sand all the pieces of wood. Shape the wood for various parts of the bird feeder. The roof of the bird feeder should be made of rectangular pieces. The sides should be shaped like a pentagon. Use a table saw to make channels in the pieces for plexiglas windows.Use a miter saw to make angled cuts.

Glue pieces together, and use clamps to hold them in place. Cut plexiglass to size for the bird feeder. Screw hinges onto the pieces that make up the roof. When it is completed, you can add bird food to the feeder by lifting one side of the roof.

Here’s a video showing the steps: