If you want to try woodworking, this article is perfect for you. The tips here can help you master the craft. Keep reading so that you can learn more.
When you are working with wood, safety must be the number one priority. Always wear safety equipment and use tools the proper way. Do not remove any safety guards from tools because they are there for your protection. Nasty injuries are no way to end a woodworking project.
Stair gauges can be used as crosscut guides. Make sure that they are clamped next to the carpenter’s square when you cut. Then you should mark all of the notches. If they’re on the same carpenter square’s tongue, that combination can create the perfect guide for a crosscut using a circular saw.
You should always test stain on a small area or on a wood scrap. This way you will avoid any surprises in case the color of the stain looks different after application. This will go a long way in preventing disappointment.
You should do a dry fitting before you apply glue and try to piece woodworking pieces together. Attempting to fix a problem after you’ve applied glue is a recipe for damage and disaster. Dry-fit will help you realize what goes where.
Before purchasing or using any type of wood, you should know all about it. Paint grade always indicates that the wood isn’t a good quality, for instance, and stain grade will mean the grain pattern will be good for staining. Veener and particleboard are different too; particleboard may absorb too much stain, and veener may not absorb enough. The proper wood helps your project come out the way that you hoped.
Get your grip ready for use in advance. A spring clamp may be useful sometimes, but only if you can use more than one hand. They are not designed to be opened with one hand. You can make it easier on yourself. Before you begin a glue-up, place all the clamps that you need on a random scrap of wood using both free hands. This makes opening them with one hand unnecessary.
Be sure to wear solid, closed-toed shoes when pursuing woodworking projects. There are a number of hazards in your working space that you could inadvertently stand on, such as tools or nails. You need to be safe when working in your shop. Protecting your feet is important and will keep you from getting injured. You need to have solid footwear in order to prevent injuries from occurring where you work.
Your eyes are a target for wayward bits of wood. You should always wear your safety glasses while working. Make no exceptions and then you’ll always be protected. Invest in a pair of eye goggles that fit well and provide clear vision.
Whenever you are sanding something, there doesn’t have to be a lot of force applied. Putting too much pressure when sanding creates an uneven surface. You don’t have to use force if you are using the right grit. Sand lightly with a circular motion.
Always ensure that the area you are working in is well lit. You need to be very accurate when measuring. Also, you’re going to be using tools that are sharp and are used to get your wood cut properly. Proper lighting is a must for all these things so that there are no injuries or major mistakes.
Stair Gauge
You can use a stair gauge to guide circular saws. The rise and run of the stair jack are normally matched using a stair gauge. In tandem, however, these two can be used on a carpenter square’s tongue to create a handy guide.
Always go back over your measurements. Indeed, it often pays to check them three times if your materials are especially costly. Measuring can cause big mistakes. If you happen to cut an expensive piece of wood too short, you have likely wasted that piece, unless it can be used somewhere else.
You may be tempted to sink a couple of beers while working on your project. However, drinking and woodworking is a bad combination. Avoid alcohol when working with woodworking tools. Likewise, do not work on projects while taking medication or illegal drugs.
Only use one extension cord when you are woodworking. When not using a tool, unplug it. Then, plug in the tool you are going to use. This safety tip will keep you from tripping over tangled cords and reduce the risk of electrocution.
Make sure that you are patient when you are woodworking. A lot of people begin woodworking project, but get frustrated when they do not see instant results. Know that your finished pieces are inside the wood and that you just need to coax them out. Practicing patience will keep you focused. Soon enough, your project will be complete.
You need to prepare wood before staining. Applying a conditioner to your wood can help. This soaks into the wood and helps the stain spread evenly. Lastly, after your stain is on, use a rag to remove excess product.
Stay safe when using a table saw. While crosscutting, it is important that you use a block properly secured on the fence when establishing the cut length. Just using the fence can cause the board to spring back; however, clamping the board will prevent this. This can save you from a serious injury during your project.
If you are thinking about a big project, check out the plans others have on the Internet. While you may not follow them exactly, they give you a springboard off which you can create your own plans. If they give you some inspiration or useful measurements, they are often truly valuable.
There is so much to know when it comes to working with wood. Fortunately, you’ve learned some helpful tips here so you can do that. Now you have to explore a bit and put this advice to good use.