Woodworking Projects & Basic Carpentry
Explore the many woodworking projects on myCarpentry.com, and learn basic carpentry skills as you build. Try out the free online carpentry tools, like the stair calculator, roof pitch calculator, and span tables for joists and rafters.
Free online plans are also available for patio covers, outdoor showers, decks, picnic tables, benches, bars, birdhouses, and other carpentry and woodworking projects.
Woodworking Projects and Plans
Build a Deck
Learn how to Build a Deck by walking through the seven pages of the 10'x10' deck tutorial. This tutorial covers framing, footings, decking, building deck stairs, railing, and stair railing.
DIY Workbench Plans
Our workbench plans get the most out of standard-sized lumber to reduce excess waste. This workbench design also includes plans for optional side panels and doors. You can alter these plans, as needed, to suit your personal needs.
Building a Patio Cover
These almost-free-standing patio cover plans might be what you are looking for if your existing roof overhang cannot support the weight of a patio cover roof. These free-standing patio cover plans do not depend on any existing structure for support.
Picnic Table Plans
It is not too early to get started on those Springtime woodworking projects! Build your own picnic table or outdoor furniture carpentry projects using the free plans on mycarpentry.com.
Plans for Outdoor Benches
Our Outdoor Bench Plans provide lots of detail and are easy to follow. Building an outdoor bench is a woodworking project that can provide years of value.
Outdoor Shower Plans - Build an Outdoor Shower
Outdoor Shower Plans - I designed and built this outdoor shower on my property in the Texas Hill Country. The corrugated tin and western red cedar structure blended well with the local architecture.
Cedar Deck - Design and Build a Cedar Deck
Cedar Deck - This article is a step-by-step, detailed account of my experiences building a cedar deck in the hill country of central Texas.
Patio Cover Plans - Build Your Own Deck Cover or Patio Cover
Using these patio cover plans as a tutorial and guide, you can design and build a patio cover or outdoor room yourself.
Make your own truck ladder-racks
Make your own ladder racks and save big bucks! When looking for racks to haul my canoe, I was surprised at how pricey the name-brand ladder racks were. I decided to do some research on materials that were available at the local hardware store and came up with these plans.
Carpentry Calculators
Stair Calculator
This free Stair Calculator is perfect for calculating stair rise and run, stair angle, stringer length, step height, tread depth, and the number of steps required for a given run of stairs. This online stair calculator comes in two flavors, Automatic and Manual. Check them out!
Roof Pitch Calculator
Use the Roof Pitch Calculator to calculate the roof pitch, rise, run, rafter length, and roof pitch angle. You can calculate the roof pitch by providing the rise and run rafter values. You can also calculate the rafter rise based on the rafter run and roof pitch.
Arch Calculator
Use the Arch Calculator to create the perfect arch layout. There are detailed instructions for laying out the calculated arch onto any material.
Woodworking Projects
The woodworking projects section contains free plans for building several small projects, ranging from birdhouses to picnic tables. You can assemble most of the woodworking projects, on mycarpentry.com, in less than a day.
