This project was built and designed by Billy from Newton Makes. It’s a clever and resourceful woodworking build that turns a single power drill into the backbone of a complete table saw, used to cut and assemble a hardwood box from scratch.
The result is a striking wood box made from dense chechen and figured maple. Despite limited tools, the quality of the joinery and finish showcases what can be achieved with creativity, patience, and a few key problem-solving tricks.
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Turning a Drill into a Table Saw
The core of this project centers around repurposing an old power drill into a functioning table saw. Billy mounted a small circular blade onto the drill shaft using an angle grinder arbor nut and a custom shank to create a secure fit.
The setup included a hinged plywood base that allowed the drill to be raised and lowered. This made it possible to cut through boards cleanly, even without standard blade height adjustments found on real table saws.
While the blade had a bit of wobble, it still produced usable cuts. To improve accuracy, Billy built a zero-clearance insert and added simple guides, making the setup more consistent and manageable.
Cutting Hardwood with a Homemade Saw
Billy put the tool to the test using chechen, a tough and dense hardwood known for its grain and weight. Despite the drill’s limitations, the saw was able to cut through the material well enough to create box panels and joinery.
Achieving perfectly square cuts was difficult, especially since the blade couldn’t tilt for angled cuts. Instead, Billy improvised with jigs and temporary fixtures to help get close to 90-degree cuts where needed.
Though the resulting edges weren’t flawless, they were accurate enough to move forward. Any visible saw marks were later cleaned up with hand sanding.
Building the Box with Rabbet Joinery
With the pieces rough cut, Billy began assembling the box using rabbet joinery. Since he couldn’t lower the blade, he raised the table surface using a second layer of plywood, allowing just enough blade exposure to cut a clean rabbet.
The rabbets were used to hold the bottom panel securely inside the frame. After a dry fit, the box was glued and clamped, creating a strong and neat structure despite the unconventional setup.
Making the Lid Fit
Instead of cutting a groove into the sides for the lid, Billy opted to add a maple liner inside the box. This liner was glued in slightly lower than the top edge, creating a natural seat for the lid to rest on.
This method eliminated the need for complex cuts and added contrast to the design. It also ensured a snug fit and kept the lid from sliding around without requiring any hardware or fancy tools.
Material Selection and Design
The box is made primarily from chechen, a richly colored tropical hardwood that added a deep, reddish tone to the body. For the interior and lid, Billy chose figured maple for contrast, using boards with interesting grain patterns to add visual appeal.
The lid was cut from a single piece of maple, sanded smooth, and left as a solid flat panel. No handle was added—Billy experimented with a few designs but ultimately chose to keep the top clean and minimalist.
Finishing for Depth and Protection
To enhance the look and protect the surface, Billy applied a hard wax finish. This type of finish leaves a natural, smooth texture and brings out the contrast between the two wood species beautifully.
Multiple thin coats were applied and buffed out, giving the entire piece a soft sheen without adding too much gloss. The end result is a polished, high-quality look that feels both refined and handmade.
Why This Project Stands Out
What makes this box special isn’t just the final look—it’s the process. Billy took a single power drill, a few scraps of hardwood, and turned them into a finished product using a homemade tool setup.
It’s a great example of how limitations can spark innovation. For anyone working in a small space or without access to a full workshop, this project is proof that great results are still possible.
A Creative Approach for Any Skill Level
This build challenges the idea that advanced tools are always necessary. With some basic materials, a little engineering, and a lot of persistence, Billy built a functioning table saw and used it to create a fine woodworking piece.
It’s an inspiring project for anyone who wants to get started with woodworking or test their skills with an unconventional approach.
Please support Billy by visiting his website here: https://www.newtonmakes.com/shop.
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
Billy’s drill-powered table saw setup is a perfect example of workshop ingenuity. The wobble he mentioned is exactly what you’d expect from this kind of improvised setup, but it highlights an important point about woodworking — sometimes “good enough” really is good enough, especially when you can clean things up in later steps. That zero-clearance insert was a smart move that probably made a bigger difference in cut quality than any other single modification.
Working with chechen can be challenging even with proper tools — it’s incredibly dense and can dull blades quickly. The fact that Billy got clean enough cuts with a drill-mounted blade speaks to both his patience and technique. When working with any improvised cutting setup, taking lighter passes and letting the tool do the work (rather than forcing it) usually gives much better results.
The rabbet joint approach was clever given the tool limitations. Raising the table surface instead of lowering the blade is the kind of problem-solving that separates successful projects from abandoned ones. That maple liner solution for the lid is brilliant too — it’s actually a more elegant approach than cutting grooves, and the contrasting wood adds a nice design element while solving a practical problem.
This project proves that creativity often trumps expensive equipment. The hard wax finish was perfect for showcasing both wood species while keeping things simple. Sometimes the most satisfying builds come from working within constraints rather than having unlimited options.