If you are a novice woodworker or just want to know more, this is the perfect article to help you get started. This advice will help get you started on your new hobby. Read the following information to learn more about woodworking.

If you need to stain a project you’re working on in woodworking, then you should use a stain conditioner first. The conditioner will make it more difficult to notice irregularities in the wood. They smooth the wood, allowing the stain to set correctly.

Condition your wood with a pre-stain product. A pre-stain conditioner helps keep away any irregularities or blotches in the wood. The conditioner will let the stain apply evenly and smooth out the wood.

Spray Adhesive

You can make reusable sanding blocks. Start by cutting a few blocks from a scrap piece of plywood for all the sandpaper grits you need to use. Be certain they measure 2.5 inches across by 4.75 inches long. Use some spray adhesive on your blocks and the cork tile. Put one block on the cork, and then cut it flush with a knife. Spray adhesive on the back of your sandpaper sheets and attach to the cork blocks. Cut the sandpaper flush and label the block.

Stair gauges can be used for crosscut guides. Match them to the rise and run of your stair jack, then attach them to the carpenter’s square. Then mark the notches. Putting them on the carpenter’s square tongue makes for a great guide for a circular saw.

You can make your own reusable sanding blocks. Cut six blocks from some plywood that you have laying around for every piece of sandpaper that you use. Be certain they are approximately 2 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches. Apply spray adhesive to each of the tile squares and the blocks themselves. Apply the cork to the block and use a utility knife to cut the cork flush with the block. Use spray glue on sandpaper and stick it to the block. Trim your sandpaper so that it is even with the corks and label each block appropriately.

Tin Snips

If you are using laminate, a good way to cut the wood is to use tin snips. Tin snips will let you easily turn the laminate into a more usable size. Try designating a pair of snips for laminate cutting so that they stay sharp.

All woodworking shops should have stair gauges. They are typically used to put down stair jacks, although they can function as a clamp for a carpenter’s square. This can make your carpenter’s square into a guide for your circular saw. Every cut you make will be straight when you use the square to guide you.

Make sure you use the right kind of wood appropriate for the task at hand. Different woods have different properties. Some woods are much stronger than others. Learn as much as you can about the different varieties of wood before beginning any woodworking project.

TIP! Different projects will require different types of wood. Some woods cannot handle the same stress that other woods are able to.

You want to be sure that you have the right size nails for your project. Very large nails can cause wood to split, which will prevent it from holding well. Small nails won’t give a good bond. Always try to pick the right size nail for your job.

Keep a lookout for old furniture that people are going to throw out. Often, you can find pieces of wood furniture that are free of charge or very cheap. Think about the possibilities rather than dismissing things. If you look at a dresser and think that it is good for nothing, you may be able to transform it into a bookshelf.

Stair Gauges

When renting tools that you are unfamiliar with, speak with the company about getting a lesson on how to use it. Sometimes you can even be taught how to use the tool properly which is usually faster and better than if you taught yourself. Some places even have detailed handouts with tips that will help you get better results with the new tools you are using.

TIP! If you rent a tool, ask for a tutorial on how to use the tool. Sometimes you can even be taught how to use the tool properly which is usually faster and better than if you taught yourself.

Stair gauges can be used as circular saw guides. A stair gauge’s intended use is to help you match up notches with help from a stair jack. However, stair gauges can also be used as circular saw guides.

Prior to sanding, wet down the surface you’re going to work on. This will help to raise the grain of wood. That allows you to get rid of even small scratches. Wetting the wood results in a finer piece, that looks professional and attractive. It, quite possibly, could save you work in the long run, too.

Drafting squares help you be precise with your cuts. It isn’t easy to cut in the 2-3 foot range. Carpenter squares are cumbersome and drywall squares are inaccurate. Check out drafting squares at your local art supplier. They are easier to work with and more accurate.

Never use your fingers like a guide. Rather, make use of a strip of wood that is long and thin to push your current piece entirely through the saw. It will help you to maintain the use of all ten fingers on your hands.

TIP! When you are cutting narrow pieces of wood, never use your fingers to guide them. It is a better idea to use a long, narrow piece of wood as a tool to guide it through the blade.

As mentioned before, this article can teach you lots of things about woodworking to make you a great woodworker. Thankfully the information you read here has offered many great tips to help you. Learn more and apply the knowledge you learned.