Hello everyone! As a Maker, I always look for new challenges and opportunities to learn something new. For my next project, I've decided to dive into something I don't have much experience in; woodworking!

Come with me on my Journey... or jump straight to the video using the WIKI contents list at the top right of this post!

This project is extra special because it’s for my 9-year-old son, Maxton, who desperately needs a complete room makeover. His space has served him well, but it’s time for an upgrade. Maxton loves to read and needs a quiet place to do his homework preferably away from his younger siblings.

I haven’t had many opportunities to work with wood, so I’m really looking forward to giving it a shot. Last year, during the SLUGME8 build, my friends Sal and Andy gave me some invaluable woodworking tips. @SL taught me that anything is possible with a shim, wood glue, and a nail gun. While @AB introduced me to the wonders of pocket hole joinery. Their advice has given me the confidence to explore this new world of wood.  

Wood is a structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic material – a natural composite of cellulose fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin that resists compression. Wikipedia

I also watched several online tutorials to get a better grasp on woodworking techniques. I borrowed my father-in-law’s chop saw and bought some new tools of my own. Who doesn’t love getting new tools, right?

Whenever I start a new project, I like to follow my Creative Design Process. This helps me stay focused, organized, and not get overwhelmed. Step one is all about understanding what I am trying to achieve. In this case, we need to declutter Maxton’s room and give him more storage solutions. He deserves a space to escape and unwind.

Now that I understand my WHY, I can move on to step two: sketching out concepts. These sketches are often rough and unfinished but serve as a great starting point. Since Maxton is a bookworm, I’m thinking of incorporating shelves everywhere, maybe even some built around his bed. A custom desk for his laptop and study sessions would be perfect.

I use 3D Whiteboard as my home base for all my new projects. It’s a fantastic tool for creating detailed artboards, taking notes, and storing useful links. I’ll be referring to this throughout the project to help stay organized and inspired.

So hang out while I work my way through this brand new world of woodworking.  I plan on combining some new software and some old tricks to help me tackle this project.  Stay tuned as I transform Maxton’s room into a dream space for him!

Check out Part 1 Now:

Remember, as a Maker, there’s always something new to learn and create. See you in the next video!

Have FUN! 

Jason