It can be a lot of fun if you want to start working with wood. However, you may not know how to begin this exciting hobby. Taking baby steps to get started will take away your worries. This resource will help.
Power Tools
If you rent a tool that is unfamiliar to you, ask the rental company for a quick demonstration. There are often specialists available to help you learn how to use the tool quickly. Also ask if there are handouts available with tips for tool usage.
Anytime you are working around power tools, there is an element of danger; focus on safety at all times. Use the right safety gear and operate tools according to their manual. Don’t take guards off the power tools. You could get hurt if you do this.
Make sanding blocks that are reusable. To do this, cut six blocks of wood from scrap plywood that is 3/4″ in diameter for each sandpaper grit. Try to be certain that they measure roughly 2.5 inches by 4.75 inches. Use an adhesive spray on the blocks as well as your cork tile square. Stick one block to your cork and be sure to cut your cork flush using a utility knife. This piece should then fit you hand fairly well and be secure enough to not slip. Cut the sandpaper flush and label each block.
Stair gauges may be just the ticket for crosscut guides. Clamp these gauges to the carpenter’s square you have and be sure they’re matching up to the stair jack’s run and rise. From there, make note of the notches. Putting them on the carpenter’s square tongue makes for a great guide for a circular saw.
A stair gauge is a great tool to keep in your shop. These gauges are used to lay out stair jacks but they are also very useful if you need something to clamp a carpenter’s square. It will convert a carpenter’s square into your guide for the circular saw. Using the square, you will have perfectly straight cuts every time.
When you’re using finishes or stains you should always stir them instead of shaking them. There are ingredients in these types of products that can settle over a period of time. Shaking can make it have bubbles and it won’t mix well. Be sure to stir thoroughly, until all settlement is dispersed evenly and smoothly.
Make sure you use the right kind of wood appropriate for the task at hand. Not all woods are equal. Take the time to learn about different types of wood and the qualities each of them has.
Never guide wood through a table saw with your fingers. Use a thin and long strip of wood instead. This technique helps protect your fingers from injury.
Keeping a small ruler inside one of your pockets is a great idea, but it could fall out due to its size. Buy a metal ruler, and try keeping it in the same pocket as the smaller telescoping magnet you use to pick up loose metal screws. The magnet will ensure the ruler stays in your pocket.
Footwear is an important component of your safety equipment. You’ll have wood pieces, nails, and tools all over the place. Stepping on a nail can really hurt your feet! Sturdy shoes with toe protectors can prevent work related accidents.
If woodworking is new to you, a good practice is to read and understand your project plans before you begin. Make sure that you understand them and that they are not missing pieces of information. If the plans aren’t complete or if you’re confused, ask someone at a hardware store for help.
Make sure the lighting is sufficient in your work area. You have to be accurate in measuring when you work with wood. Additionally, you’ll be using sharp instruments to cut the wood. That means you need to see what you are doing clearly to avoid mistakes and injuries.
Know what you need to do to work with the wood and how it reacts to different situations. Wood varies from type to type. Different types of wood take stain differently. Also, different woods splinter differently when they are cut. Learning how different types of woods and different types of grain is important to your woodworking. These will be factors when working with wood.
When you decide to take up woodworking, there are a couple of essentials you will need to buy first. A necessary tool for any woodworker is a hammer. A claw hammer is an excellent woodworking tool. Pick them up to find the one that feels good in your hand. Don’t pick one which is very heavy.
Using this advice, you can begin or enhance your woodworking journey. Keep exploring your options and have fun doing it. You will be able to create more than you might think.