Kreg Owners' Community

Help Finding what tools I need for my First Project. Wardrobe

I want to build a wardrobe very similar to this one. I may want to add drawers and maybe add one door with glass. I'm completely new and don't know where to start. 

I initially found out about kreg tools because I was up late at night and looking for furniture for a new home. I've bought furniture before and it never lasted. So much that even when I bought furniture for my townhome that I just left my furniture there as a blessing or an inconvenience to the next person who moved in. I don't want to buy flimsy furniture or seamless laminate wood. I want the real deal. I've restored furniture before. Simple things like stripping paint, sanding and putting a nice stain with lacquer. But I would feel so accomplished building something I need, that looks impressive (expensive) and say that I built it and I use it and it is going to last a long time. 

So, please, I need your help to guide me in the right direction and what tools I should buy to get started. I would greatly appreciate it.

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Robert,

What hand tools and power tools do you pesently have available?

Do you have the wood working plans for the units shown?

  

I have none that belong to me but I am familiar with hand tools and power tools. I'm asking to see what I need to buy.

I do have the guide for this. I have done a simple scope of work and am willing to have it looked at.

Robert,

There's lots of woodworking books available.

Visit your local library and acquire some books on furniture and cabinet making and joinery.

Start with the “beginner” and advance thru “intermediate”.

The books will describe the tools needed, for the various tasks.

 

Start with making some simple projects, like stools, book cases, end tables, and the like, before proceeding to the project(s) as shown in your photo.

Yeah, I gotta agree with Ken on this one -- a big wardrobe unit like that is a lot to bite off for your first project.  But hey, I love the "NO FEAR" approach.  

Looks to me like the doors are frame and panel, which means either a table saw or a router table, although you can certainly do simple frame and panel construction like that with just a table saw.  The tricky part is going to be getting the assemblies square, with multiple panels involved.  But as long as you are set up to make repeatable cuts and make all the rails and stiles at the same time, they may turn out ok.  But you're going to need at least 5 24" parallel jaw clamps to glue up one door.  You'll also need a 35 mm forstner bit to install euro hinge cups like shown on that unit.  I STRONGLY recommend making a couple storage cabinets and doors for your shop first, to practice cabinet box construction with the Kreg jig, and a couple frame and panel doors with 3/4" poplar and MDF panels.  That will teach you the techniques you'll need to make the wardrobe.  

You'll need a 5/64 vicks bit is needed to hand the hinge plates on the inside.  You'll need a square to install the drawer slides.  The rest of this can easily be tackled with the Kreg jig -- it can make the boxes and there's no face frame to deal with although it certainly works great for face frames.  The drawers can be made with the Kreg jig although the ones shown look like 1/2 and 1/4 material, which I prefer to join in other ways, finding that the micro Kreg is good, but doesn't have as much holding power as other joints, whereas on 3/4" stock it's a pretty even match.

One of the biggest hurdles you're gonna have to deal with here is finishing.  That's a big piece and finishing is like an art unto itself.  Woodworkers are really three craftsman in one body:  Designers, Woodworkers, and Finishers.  It's a one-shot deal when you're working on something like that.  And after you put in 10 hours building that thing, a bad finish can make all of that time wasted effort.  Listen to Ken -- he's been riding this rodeo long enough -- go to the library, get some books, hang out on YouTube and check out the greats, go lurk around LumberJocks and check out similar projects then get in touch with the guys who made them -- they'll talk to you and be happy to do so.  And if you get stuck or find yourself working REALLY hard, you're doing it wrong.  Message me, Ken, or anyone else and we'll help you get unstuck.  That's what this hobby is really about -- great folks helping others solve problems that they've struggled with themselves.

Wardrobe Closet Photos: (optional designs)

https://www.google.com/search?q=wardrobe+closet&newwindow=1&...

 

Some for the novice, intermediate and advanced woodworker.

Thank you both for the great advice. I've been reading and looking closely to the details of many plans. I've already guessed this much for most of the tools you said I needed. I will definitely start off with a few small projects until I've gotten the hang of it then I'll try tackling this project. It'll also give me a chance to work on finishing skills. Thank you for the resources. I definitely have more design choices to choose from.

Robert,

I'd suggest selecting a project you are comfortable with, using the skills and tools you have/have access to, to accomplish the end result. 

Hi Robert,

Thank you for your thoughtful post and for your interest in Kreg tools! We want to welcome you to the community! As far as Kreg tools go, for a beginner looking to build furniture projects, here are a few tools we recommend to help get you started:

  • The Kreg Jig K4: http://www.kregtool.com/Kreg-Jigreg-Prodview.html. This is a great jig for any DIYer new to Pocket Screw Joinery. It comes with a removable Drill Guide, which allows you to drill pocket holes in a wide variety of applications.
  • We also recommend purchasing one, or even a few, of our Face Clamps. They come in a 3" reach, 6" reach, and even 10" reach. We also have new Automaxx Face Clamps, which feature auto-adjust technology. Here is the Automaxx Face Clamp in 3" reach: http://www.kregtool.com/Automaxx-Face-Clamp-Prodview.html. This clamp will automatically adjust for you, eliminating the need to readjust the clamp for every change in material thickness.
  • We also offer a wide selection of screws and plugs. Plugs allow you to hide exposed pocket holes once your projects are completed. You can see all Kreg Screws and Plugs here: http://www.kregtool.com/PocketHole-Screws-and-Plugs-Prodlist.html.

We hope this helps you get off to a great start. While these products are all available for purchase on our website, www.KregTool.com, they are also on the shelves of Kreg Dealers, which includes big box stores like Lowe's and Home Depot. You can easily find a Kreg Dealer near you by entering your zip code here: http://www.kregtool.com/extra-Serve.asp?extra=31&int=1.

Please let us know if you need any further information.
We are always happy to answer any questions you may have!

Happy Building!
KregRep

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