Expert woodworker Peter Vivian has been a maker for as long as he can remember. Building upon early success in a model-making competition at school, Vivian trained as a technical illustrator and spent the next two and a half decades in graphic design and commercial photography. Yet throughout that time, he yearned to have his own woodworking business, which he eventually launched and ran for 10 years before transitioning to teaching, helping students master the myriad skills he had attained across his career in the form of a university product design course.

Among his hundreds of projects, Vivian counts cartoons that have been presented to King Charles, pieces displayed at the Royal Albert Hall, and regular features in Woodworker magazine and associated exhibitions. He has even built his own ash-framed, aluminum-clad car, using tools be built himself, in a workshop that, perhaps unsurprisingly, he also built himself!

The Wall-E project was a request from a friend, after seeing a Doctor Who Dalek model and radio-controlled K-9 that Vivian and a colleague made at the university. Despite having access to all manner of tools at home and work, Vivian ended up fabricating 80% of the Wall-E project with a cheap razor saw and a homemade mitre box. Blueprints for a Lego version helped inform proportions, with details garnered from movie stills. The body is a simple plywood box, connected to the head via an articulated, extendable neck, which enables posing. The eyes are formed from polyurethane foam and wrapped in thin strips of black walnut with lathe-turned irises and pupils. The arms, with their accurate inlaid chevrons, pivot as well, with rotating hands and fingers that really grip.

Photography by Peter Vivian

Vivian saved the tracks until the end, expecting them to be the most difficult aspect of the project, but they ended up coming together fairly easily. The rollers were turned on the lathe, with tracks formed from strips of black walnut glued to flexible ply and wrapped around the rollers. A colleague laser-engraved the front panel with the Wall-E font, and all that was left were a few coats of Danish oil to literally finish the project.

Upon seeing Wall-E, another friend suggested that the Iron Giant might make a similarly charming candidate for the obsoletely fabulous treatment, but that’s another story for another issue!

This article appeared in Make: Vol. 90. Subscribe for more maker projects and articles!

There is something about making small wood projects that is just so much fun.

I love woodworking projects, but not necessarily the big ones you might be picturing. I love the small wood craft ideas – making little wood bowls, scrap wood projects, making cutting boards, woodworking for beginners, that kind of thing mostly. Every once in a while there will be a white oak nightstand DIY thrown in there for good measure. But it’s mostly the small stuff that I’m drawn to. 

Probably because it feels more accessible, less intimidating, and plainly, not as costly. If you’ve ever wanted to get into a wood project or two and try out a new potential skill, now is the perfect time. 

Small Wooden Projects to Try

1. Really found it satisfying to make this little guy… how to create a carved wooden bowl! Use it for jewelry, office supplies, give it as a gift, etc.

 

2. If you have a messy desk, this DIY wood desk organizer can help! You can just throw everything in when you want a clean slate. Bonus:There’s room for a plant!

3. Great beginner project! I found a thick wood serving board in the clearance aisle of TJMax for under $10. The only catch was it had a flower engraving all over it. So, I refinished it and use it all the time now. Not bad for $6!

4. This magazine shelf, from Fall for DIY, is so beautiful! The use of round dowel rods instead of flat wood for the sides and front support make it feel so much more unique. But it’s still minimal and unfussy, which I love.

5. Small hallway? Throw a few of these diy wall hooks and you can organize coats, jackets, and bags, without taking up any floor space.

6. Have you seen the bag charms / handbag jewelry trend that popped up? I saw Vicky Montanari adding little beads and charms and things to her bags (who can do no wrong imo, in fashion) and then I started seeing it everywhere. Anyway, I was thinking a DIY tassel or two, made of wood and leather, like these would be a nice addition.

Or even just hanging from a door knob as a little accessory.

7. I made this diy shelf for bathroom back when we lived in Atlanta. But you could also use it in a guest bedroom, as a little welcome area for guests, with lotions and little extras that make them feel at home.

8. Made my son a very simple wooden toy car, a while back and we still have it years later. 

I could see these little guys as small woodworking projects to sell at a craft fair or something along those lines. With some modifications, you could turn the ghost into animal shapes pretty quickly.

9. There is something so satisfying about making your own diy cutting board. Bonus points if its an irregular shape – like little wood art for your kitchen.

10. Have you seen the price of curtain rods lately? They’re insanely expensive, considering its basically just a bar for some fabric to go on. Turns out, making your own is actually pretty easy (and cost effective). Here’s how I made wooden curtain rods on a tight budget.

11. This might be my most random wood project. But if you’re a fan of Charles and Ray Eames, you’ll understand. Here’s my tutorial for my  Eames-inspired molecule sculpture.

12. One thing about me, I will always find something to hang on a DIY peg rail. They really come in handy in an entryway, or at the bottom of the stairs for hats, umbrellas, etc.

13. This DIY idea is like having two wood wall hangings in one because it’s reversible. Another good one for beginners working with wood, that’s super customizable for size, shape, and more.

14. These small wooden houses from Inspire My Play are so cute for imaginative play, if you have any kids. Would be a cute gift for nieces and nephews too. 

15. I made this diy blanket ladder a long time ago and I’ll probably make it a little differently today if I did it again. BUT I like that it didn’t require any nails…or even a hammer…to make!

16. Learn how to make a wood ice cream cone holder for summer parties and entertaining. Super easy! If you can use a drill, you can make this!

17. Here’s how to make a half circle shelf the easy way. I made a couple of these for Hayes’ nursery when he was a baby and they held up great.

18. If you’re looking for a way to display little plant cuttings, check out this minimal wall hanging diy.

19. Similar to the DIY wood curtain rod, but with a little tweak, extra dowels and some leather make for a quick and simple bedroom wall organizer.

20. Wood and leather is a good combo, imo. Fall for DIY has a nice tutorial for making cute, minimal wall hooks.

21. For anyone that likes to entertain, here’s an easy way to make a handled serving tray.

22. Use this wooden makeup organizer for makeup (obviously) OR art supplies. Pretty handy to have around, either way.

23. This wood plant stand, made by The Merrythought, is perfect for plant (and design) lovers. 

24. Made a number of looms over the years, but this weaving loom is the biggest…and it only cost $20 to make! There’s a smaller version too, if you want more of a lap loom.

That’s it for now on the DIY wood projects. Hope you found at least a few you want to try.

My walk-in closet island build is coming along very nicely! I got almost everything finished on the box of the dresser yesterday, which means I have just a little bit to finish up today, and then I can get started on the drawers, drawer fronts, and cabinet doors.