If you’ve been thinking of getting into the world of woodworking, then you’re probably wanting to know what to do to get started. It can be tough to start with, but with a lot of practice and a creative mind you can achieve much. Keep reading to learn more about woodworking.
Know your budget so you know what you can make. Frequently, you overestimate how much you can afford to invest in your projects. You may be excited to create start a new project, only to be disappointed half way to completion when you run out of funds. Avoid surprises by doing your homework before beginning.
Consider making sanding blocks yourself that you can reuse time and again. Start by cutting six blocks from scrap 3/4″ plywood for every sandpaper grit you generally use. Each block should be about 2 inches by 4 inches. Use some spray adhesive on your blocks and the cork tile. Put one piece of cork on each block and line it up flush. Spray adhesive on a sheet of sandpaper, and stick it to each block of cork, facing down. Cut the sandpaper so it aligns with the cork and do not forget to label your blocks.
When you are budgeting for new projects, don’t forget to set aside money for any tools you need. This is easy to overlook if you are focused on the amount of wood you need to buy. New tools can break your budget, especially if you need heavy duty equipment.
Gel Stains
Try out some gel stain next time you are staining furniture items. Gel stains adhere to wood better, while liquid stains run a lot more. Gel stains are much thicker so they give more consistent coverage.
If you are going to be staining your project, test on a scrap of wood or an inconspicuous area. This will allow you not to have any surprises later if the stain’s color looks different when it is applied. This will go a long way in preventing disappointment.
Tin snips can help you better trim laminate when doing your wood projects. Tin snips make cutting the laminate to size easier and quicker. Make sure that you designate tin snips to be used for laminate cutting only, as cutting other things with the tin snips will affect their sharpness.
A stair gauge is an essential for every woodworking shop. They are generally used for laying out stair jacks, but they can be used to clamp carpenter’s squares. You can then use your square as a guide for a circular saw. Every cut you make will be straight when you use the square to guide you.
Dull Blade
Do you know how much your workbench height affects your work? Starting from your waist midline, measure the distance down to the floor; this is your ideal workbench height. This will help you create a workbench that is the perfect height.
Ensure the blade is in proper condition prior to sawing. A dull blade will make it nearly impossible to cut something as needed. A dull blade will also cause you to make mistakes and harm the wood that you’re working with.
Be sure you have the right kind of ear protection. The machinery used can get very loud. Exposure over time can mean you lose some of your hearing. Use a pair of high quality headphones or disposable earplugs. No matter what you choose, be sure that you use them whenever you operate machinery.
Whenever you work with wood, make sure that the footwear you use is very sturdy. You’ll have wood pieces, nails, and tools all over the place. You want to protect your feet from getting injured if you accidentally step on a nail or kick something heavy. Use strong shoes intended for the workplace to protect your feet.
Figure out your budget for your project. It is quite common to be far more ambitious than the budget allows when working on a particular project. It is easy to get carried away, only thinking of the finished project. Then later realize the project costs too much to finish. Do your homework before starting to avoid surprises.
Look around for wood that is recycled. There are many places that work with wood that often discard scraps which can be useful. Flooring stores and home improvement outlets tend to throw out wood they don’t use. Look for pieces of wood that you can use in your projects. You can also save quite a bit this way.
If woodworking is new to you, a good practice is to read and understand your project plans before you begin. Understand the plans and makes sure they aren’t missing any steps or information. If you have incomplete plans, ask at a local hardware store for advice.
You should light your work area well. Woodworking is something that requires you to know how to measure accurately. Also, sharp tools are used to do the wood cutting. You must have good vision when woodworking, or you may be injured.
Get a good handle on the types of woods you are using and their characteristics. Each kind has different qualities. Different types of wood will react differently to various stains. They will splinter in different ways, based on how you cut. You will also see a wide range of different grains. These will all factor into your woodworking plans.
Consider shopping at garage sales for woodworking equipment. You should be able to find great deals on good tools when you buy them used. This is a great way for people to get started with woodworking or to replace tools that have worn out.
Don’t apply a ton of pressure when sanding. Sanding while using pressure will make a surface less even because you’ll be gouging the surface. If you’re using the right sand paper grit, the pressure should not matter. Just lightly sand, and keep it in a circular pattern.
Try out your proposed wood stain on a spot that will not show on the finished piece. The stain might come out blotchy or off color. By seeing how the stain goes on in an unseen spot, you will be able to make the changes necessary. This means you will save yourself from doing a ton of additional work.
Make sure that your blade is in good condition before you begin sawing. If you allow a saw blade to become dull, you will have a tough time sawing with it. You’ll ruin the wood and end up spending more money.
Drafting Square
You can make accurate cuts by choosing to use a drafting square. If you have to cut some wood accurately that’s around 2 or 3 feet, it may be difficult to get measured correctly. Many woodworkers will eagerly vent to you how inaccurate drywall squares are, and carpenter squares aren’t easy to use, since they need fastening. Instead you should go to an art store for your drafting square. These aren’t that hard to use and can be very accurate.
Save any scrap wood, as it often comes in handy for later projects. There are many times you’ll find use for those small scraps. For instance, to fill in an empty space in a project or to clamp two pieces together without denting them. Little scraps of wood also can serve as the guinea-pig for new cut styles.
Choose the right size of nail for your project. A large nail can split wood, leaving it loose. In addition, if you pick up something that is too little, it won’t be big enough to do the job correctly. Make sure you get nails that are just right.
Get tools of good quality. Tools that are cheap can break and cause major frustrations. Well-made tools will cost you more upfront but are a better investment. You end up saving a lot of money in the end.
Woodworking is such an interesting art form. It is hoped that reading this article has made you ready to go to the woodworking shop. Whether you are making toys, furniture or something else, it is time to get started. You’ll never know what items you can create until you give it a go!