5 Pieces of Furniture You Can Build with a Portable Sawmill

Gathering around a dinner table to share a meal is one of the best experiences a family can have. Doing it at a table you handcrafted on your own makes it all the more special. That's what Ole O. did, sourcing white pine from his property to make the custom dinner table you see pictured. 

The table is 36"x79" and uses lumber from one tree. Ole estimates he saved $400 by doing the project on his own, and it took around 40 hours to complete. All the pine was milled using his LT15WIDE Portable Sawmill: "So glad I have the wide saw--I have handled several logs from our property that exceed 30 inches in diameter!" says Ole. 

If you're interested in building your own, find instructions for a simple dinner table build here.

A wooden bench may seem unassuming at first, but much like a dinner table, it has the power to create memories that last a lifetime. Soaking up the sun on a warm day with a gentle breeze, relaxing on a bench and taking in nature is a peaceful experience that allows one to reflect on life.

Aside from the tranquil moments a wooden bench provides in practice, it's also an opportunity to create something a bit more complicated than it seems. 

Christopher H. built the bench pictured here. He says it took about a week to build, and you can see that it's a beautiful piece. The curvature of the seat, along with the styled spindles, provide a fun challenge for any woodworker looking to level up their game. 

Though it lacks the spindles, find an in-depth guide for how to create a wooden bench here.

Homemade baby cribs have a long history of being cherished family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation. Knowing that your child or grandchild is sleeping in the same crib that you or your parent slept in as a newborn baby is a feeling like no other. 

The most important factor in building a crib from your own milled wood is safety. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has outlined several important safety considerations to keep in mind when crafting a baby crib, and it's essential to follow these to prevent serious injury or death.

That said, we've seen dozens of fantastic cribs enter into our contest over the years. Daniel S. built a gorgeous walnut crib with the help of his LT40WIDE Hydraulic Portable Sawmill. He saved roughly $300 by milling his own walnut, but beyond that, he now has a memory and a keepsake that will last forever. 

Salt City Workshop created a helpful video along with downloadable plans if you're interested in creating your own baby crib, and this one in particular was made with walnut as well. Just be careful to allot enough time--you don't want to be working on the crib when the child is entering middle school! 

For many sawmill owners, projects arise out of necessity as often as they do out of desire. Needing more space for clothing is a necessity, and building a dresser from milled wood results in a much higher quality product than most pressed-wood options that are seen on the market today. 

Wayne P. submitted the pictured dresser to our contest a few years ago, and while it may seem to be a modest piece, it's a sturdy and rich design that will last years. Its simple beauty derives from the cherry drawers outlined by a black walnut top--walnut being a hardwood will be more resistant to scratches and dents. 

Wayne tells us that the build took four weeks, but he estimates to have saved around $200. It arose from a need--his daughter needed more space--and he got it done with high-quality materials. He says, "It looked much nicer than I thought it would. We were all proud of it."

He purchased his LT15START Portable Sawmill a year after seeing his friend's mill in action, and loves how gratifying it is to make his own planks to build with. "I've enjoyed my sawmill," he says, "and I have enjoyed working with the wood cut from the mill."

Though it may seem easy at first glance, there are several common pitfalls that people often fall into when building a dresser. Avoid dresser building errors by checking out Assembly Smart's Guide to Building a Dresser Without the Stress.

Is there anything more peaceful than casually sitting on a porch swing, gently swinging back and forth on a warm sunny evening, reading a book and listening to the birds chirping? 

Provided you have the room, building a porch swing is a worthwhile endeavor for anyone looking to immediately upgrade their exterior space. 

Swings like the one Kevin E. built are especially nice because they don't require experience before building. As he tells us, he had no experience with a sawmill--he simply bought an LX50SUPER Portable Sawmill and dove in from there. 

This particular swing was built from red cedar salvaged from a construction site that was clearing it away. Kevin says it's the perfect addition to his front porch, and that, according to his wife, it's priceless.

Looking to build your own porch swing? Check out this DIY porch swing build from This Old House.

Once you've decided to create your own furniture from scratch, you'll need to the right equipment to use. Wood-Mizer portable sawmills are made specifically for you to be able to create your own projects, whether you're a hobbyist, DIY experimenter, or professional sawyer. Check out the latest deals to find the perfect sawmill for your needs!

Q: What are the best wood species for building outdoor DIY furniture?

Answer: For outdoor projects like porch swings or benches, rot-resistant softwoods and hardwoods are ideal. Red cedar, white oak, and cypress are excellent choices because they naturally resist moisture, insects, and decay without requiring heavy chemical treatments.

Q: Do I need to dry my milled lumber before building furniture?

Answer: Yes. Building furniture with green (wet) lumber can lead to warping, splitting, and checking as the wood dries and shrinks over time. For indoor furniture like tables, dressers, or cribs, ensure your lumber is seasoned or kiln-dried to a moisture content of roughly 6% to 8% before squaring up your joints.

Q: Is it safe to use specific wood types for building a baby crib?

Answer: When crafting heirloom baby furniture, avoid using wood treated with toxic chemical preservatives. Stick to natural, non-toxic hardwoods like maple, oak, or walnut. Always finish the piece with a certified food-safe, non-toxic, lead-free oil or sealant, and strictly adhere to federal safety spacing guidelines for the crib slats.

Q: How thick should I mill boards for standard furniture projects?

Answer: It depends on the component, but a safe standard is to mill your dimensional lumber slightly thicker than your final target to allow room for planing and jointing. For table tops and bench seats, milling at 8/4 (2 inches) or 6/4 (1.5 inches) provides excellent structural stability, while 4/4 (1 inch) thickness is standard for dresser drawers and cabinet sides.