Many people don’t try woodworking because they fear it is too difficult. If you know what you are doing, you can make something from wood. All it takes is a burning desire. The following article discusses what you need to know.
One good product to use if you are staining your project is a conditioner, to be used before staining. You won’t have any blotches or unevenness when you use a conditioner. They smooth the wood, allowing the stain to set correctly.
Safety must be a priority when doing woodworking. Always ensure that safety comes first, and you know how to properly use all the tools. Guards on power tools are provided for your protection so leave them alone. The last thing you want is to injure yourself severely while woodworking.
Different projects will require different types of wood. Some woods cannot handle the same stress that other woods are able to. If you don’t know how different types of wood will work, spend time learning about both the wood and the project you wish to complete.
Gel Stains
Gel stains can be your best friend when staining furniture items. Gel stains work better on the wood because they don’t run like the liquid stains do. Gel stains will create a more consistent finish on pieces, as well.
When using stain, try a test on a small scrap you may have available or in an area on the wood that will be out of sight. If you test the stain color first, you will not have any unpleasant surprises. You never know how wood will behave, so do the test first.
A stair gauge is an essential item in every wood shop. Commonly used to scribe stair jacks, it can also be used to attach to your carpenter’s square. You can then use your square as a guide for a circular saw. The square will get you wonderfully straight cuts all the time.
Get a handle on how a wood takes to staining prior to choosing a wood for a project. Some woods are only paint grade, while stain grade woods are much better for staining. Also, veneer and particleboard greatly differ. Particleboard absorbs a lot of stain while veneer doesn’t absorb much at all. Using the proper wood makes sure that your project ends up the way you’d like it to.
Do you have door hinge screws that have worked themselves loose, and you can’t tighten them into the wood at all? A golf tee can solve this. Take the door and its hinges off of the frame, then, tapping gently, place golf tees into the screw holes. Chop off the excess part of the tee, then replace the door. The screw can bite into the tee.
Know how much you can spend in order to create a project. Many people are surprised at how much it costs to make some woodworking projects. You start your project with great enthusiasm, but you run out of money half way through. Create a budget before you start so that this never happens.
Is there a screw that needs tightening, but it is located in an unreachable spot? Look in your toolbox. Grab a screwdriver with a long handle and a 12-point socket. Attach the socket to the screwdriver and then to a ratchet.
Sturdy footwear is essential when woodworking. There could be nails on the floor, pieces of wood and other debris that could hurt you. Your feet deserve protection from the inevitable stepping on a nail as well as you accidentally kicking or dropping something heavy. You want your shoes to also keep you comfortable while you’re walking around the shop.
You should now know lots more about working with wood. Use what you’ve learned to become the best woodworker you can be. If you follow these tips and continue to learn more you will eventually become a woodworking expert. Take the things here and memorize them, and things will be simple. Now, get started and have fun!
Keeping a ruler in a pocket can be a good idea, however sometimes it can be frustrating if it falls out. Get yourself a ruler made of metal and put it in the pocket where you store your telescoping magnet. Keep the ruler and the magnet in the same pocket. The ruler will stay in place.