I finished this Modern Pine Dresser in 2020 when I was still learning the basics of woodworking. At the time, I had limited tools, space and know-how. But, like most things, the best way to learn is to just jump in. So I did.

When I decided to build this, all I had for tools were: a 12V B&D drill, a hammer, a miter saw, a circular saw and a handful of clamps. That's basically it. I designed it myself and chose a modern look out of necessity because I didn't even have a router to give me different edges. Shaping wood in general was a foreign concept. I spent hours picking out the straightest boards because I didn't have a planer or jointer to make them square. I chose "select pine" lumber because it was cost effective and I would be less mad if it ended up in the fire pit. I wanted to make something functional, stylish and more affordable than what they were selling at big box stores. If this sounds like where you are at in woodworking, I will save you some time and cut to a few lessons I learned during this build. 

1. Buying new furniture from the store is almost always more cost effective than building yourself. There is so much more to it than the cost of lumber (which is not cheap by any means). Stain, sealant, hardware, screws, nails, sandpaper, glue, rags (lots of rags), brushes and specialty tools all add up. When you account for the time you put into the project, the cost comparison is not remotely close. Building furniture should be something you do because you enjoy the process, not to save money.

2. Your tools should grow with your skill level. Many people new to the hobby ask what tools they should buy. I think the best approach is to simply ask yourself: "what do I want to build?" and "what tools do I need to build that?". After you answer that, go out and buy just those tools. Buy first for function and do it cheaply if you need to. When you have more money to spend on tools. Buy more function rather than upgrading to a better version of a tool you already have. I wish I would have bought a planer before I bought a second orbital sander. The added functionality of a planer allows me to do more in this space than a marginal upgrade in sanding. As you grow the hobby you will learn new techniques, need more tools, and appreciate higher quality tools. Like I said, I did not have a lot of tools when I started this piece. I did end up buying a biscuit joiner and a pocket hole screw kit which were essential in this build and are still in use today. Anyway, take it one project at a time and you'll be OK. 

3. Sliding ball bearing drawers are hard. Your measurements need to be nuts on and your drawers/housings need to be square. If they are not, you will endure some of the most frustrating moments this hobby has to offer. 

4. Polyurethane is NOT an easy finish. Most beginners do not have a sprayer or a "dust-free" space to apply polyurethane optimally. For these reasons, it is very easy to get streaking and dust bubbles in your finish. I recommend products that are less reliant on dust and technique. There are a lot of options, but personally I like Rubio monocoat (solo), or ArmRSeal with a paste finishing wax. Some of you will say that you NEED the protection of an oil based polyurethane. While it is true that poly offers immense protection, most projects simply don't need it. There are affordable options on the market that offer enough protection and, frankly, look a lot better than poly. For this piece I labored long and hard on my poly finish (after Minwax Prestain and Puritan Pine stain). Next to the drawer installation, it was the most time consuming part. 

5. Pine is a beautiful wood when finished right. Don't let anyone shame you for building with pine. That said, if you are trying to make pine look like walnut, I think that can be cheap and tacky. Embrace the pine for the beautiful wood it naturally is. 

My wife and I still use this dresser every day. There are a lot of things I would do differently if I was building this today, but I still love it for what it is. Furthermore, it was a big win early in the hobby for me. The dresser is functional and stylish (IMHO), but, most importantly, it's so damn satisfying to use something you made with your own hands. I have much to learn in woodworking, but this early piece taught me a ton. Embrace these projects... even if you have to scrap it for firewood.