[My DIY Journey] Life-Changing? A Beginner Tackles Building a Kitchen Wagon: From Design to Wood Selection

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For years, I wanted to create my own furniture, but the fear of tools and the lack of time kept holding me back. Finally, I took the first step.
I’ve been interested in DIY for a long time, often watching YouTube and thinking, “Maybe I can do this too?”

Yet, concerns about the dangers of tools and the time commitment always held me back. But when I learned about the DIY workshop at Hayasta, guided by Mr. Ohara’s warm teaching style, I finally decided to take the plunge!

In this series, I’ll take you through my DIY journey in three parts:

Series Titles and Overviews

Please stay tune!

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1. What is Hay-sta?

First, let me introduce Hayama Woodworks Studio (Hayasta), where I embarked on my DIY journey.
Hayasta is an online shop based in Hayama, offering solid wood furniture handcrafted by Mr. Ohara.

The studio emphasizes sustainability, embracing SDGs and recycling in its practices. The DIY workshops are an extension of these values, catering to both beginners and seasoned DIY enthusiasts.

The workshops take place at “Hayama Craftsman’s Lodge,” a space rented from Nagatsu Lumber. This venue is well-equipped for woodworking, and participants can purchase quality lumber directly from Nagatsu Lumber.

What’s more, the wood here is of better quality and more reasonably priced than at home improvement stores. You’ll save time, too, as the staff can quickly prepare the materials you need.

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2. A Beginner’s First Step: Building a Kitchen Wagon

The project I chose was a kitchen wagon designed to fit perfectly under my sink. After removing the dishwasher during a renovation, I needed a suitable storage solution.

I looked at ready-made products but couldn’t find anything that fit my kitchen’s dimensions. Plus, I wanted something made of wood that would add warmth to my space, rather than a typical metal cart. That’s when I decided to finally start my DIY journey.

And so, my DIY adventure began—with drafting the blueprint for the furniture.

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3. Crafting Blueprints: Turning Ideas into Shapes

“Blueprints are the foundation of furniture making. A thorough plan ensures smooth execution,” Mr. Ohara explained as I sat down with graph paper.

Tips for Drafting Blueprints:

• Mark dimensions in millimeters: This helps ensure precision for the parts.
• Set the scale: Use 1:10 or 1:5 (e.g., 10 cm equals 1 cm).
• Draw from three perspectives: Include front, top, and side views.

At first, even drawing straight lines was nerve-wracking. As someone who always hated geometry in school, aligning the front, top, and side views was particularly challenging.

Here’s my initial attempt at a sketch, before receiving any instruction. It’s so messy—I’m embarrassed to show it!

After learning from Mr. Ohara, I managed to create a much better blueprint. He even praised my efforts!

The final design for my kitchen wagon measured 600 mm wide, 700 mm deep, and 900 mm tall. It included a drawer and shelves for added functionality.

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4. Experiencing the Warmth of Solid Wood

Once the blueprint was ready, the next step was selecting the wood. Hayasta’s collaboration with Nagatsu Lumber meant I could hand-pick my materials—a surprisingly enjoyable experience.

At the lumberyard, I saw beautiful solid woods like cedar, cherry, and cypress. Each piece had its own unique warmth and personality.

I ultimately chose a stunning reddish cedar board. Knowing I would transform this into a piece of furniture filled me with excitement.

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5. Challenges and Joys: Using Tools for the First Time

After selecting the wood, it was time to prepare it for processing. I was initially intimidated by the tools, but with Mr. Ohara’s guidance, I gradually gained confidence.

How to Use a Marking Gauge:

1. Measure the cutting line with a ruler and set the blade of the gauge.
2. Lightly score the wood to create a visible line.
3. If the line is hard to see, go over it with a pencil for clarity.

Next came sawing the wood, which was trickier than expected!

It took multiple attempts to get the hang of it, but with practice and encouragement, my cuts improved.

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Summary: “Overcoming the First Hurdles of DIY: Blueprints and Wood Selection”

Drafting blueprints and choosing wood may seem daunting to beginners, but they’re filled with discovery and satisfaction. Hayasta’s supportive environment, coupled with the expertise of Mr. Ohara and the resources of Nagatsu Lumber, makes this journey a joy.

Next time, I’ll share the thrilling process of shaping and refining the wood using tools. Stay tuned for tips and tricks on woodworking techniques!