SiteSeeing: Instructables.com shows you the way with its DIY projects

After working on our latest report on cordless drills and tool kits, I was inspired to find practical, skill-building home projects that could put my own tools to good use and maybe even save me a little money.

A friend tipped me off to Instructables.com, which was founded by four MIT graduates in August 2005. The site features more than 21,000 projects on 18 different channels, according to cofounder Eric J. Wilhelm. They run the gamut from simple (duct-tape wallets) to complicated (turning an old washing machine into a honey extractor) and take the occasional detour into the unusual (converting a car into a garbage-powered vehicle). Instructions are presented as easy-to-follow photo-and-text slideshows and as PDFs.

I wondered about the reliability of the projects—would I end up with an impossible-to-build or even dangerous piece of furniture because some schmo posted lousy instructions? But, says Wilhelm, "We have a publishing review process, and do reject some projects—typically they are simply not complete."

The site's terms of service do require users to agree to "bear all risks associated with, the use of any content, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such content." I'm not a lawyer, but I think that means that Instructables.com is not responsible if something bad happens after I make a project I found on the site. My advice: Let the user reviews be a guide—if a project has only one or two stars, you might want to avoid it. And don't do projects for which you lack the skill set or that might pose a safety risk you're not willing to take.

With that caveat and these safety tips for cordless drills and circular saws in mind, consider some of the projects below. (Watch the short buying guide for cordless drills, right.)

Workshop
I told a follically challenged colleague about one of the myriad workbenches on the site. He's yet to build it, though I assured him he'd succeed without pulling out his remaining hair.

Bedroom
A lattice-framed platform bed that uses less $30 worth of lumber.
A loft bed that provides a handy closet space.
A laptop stand that allows you to work from bed.

Home office
A slot-together desk.
A design to convert a closet to a work area.
A collapsible hobby desk.—Gian Trotta

Essential information: See our reports on DIY closet and garage organizers and household glues and assembly tips for IKEA furniture.