Woodworking is a skill that is learned. When looked at from a beginner’s perspective, woodworking looks very complicated. Indeed skilled craftsmen take years to develop their art. Education is vital in the art of woodworking. You need to learn some great stuff and then go apply it. Keep reading to learn all you can about woodworking.
Anytime you are working around power tools, there is an element of danger; focus on safety at all times. Make sure that you always use tools properly and wear the proper safety equipment. Do not take guards off of power machines, because they are meant to protect you. You could get hurt if you do this.
You can make your own reusable sanding blocks. Use a scrap of 3/4″ plywood to cut six blocks, one for each sandpaper grit you need. Be certain the pieces are about two and a half inches by four and three quarter inches. Use an adhesive spray on the blocks as well as your cork tile square. Cut the sandpaper with a utility knife to better fit your block. Use spray glue on sandpaper and stick it to the block. Lastly, cut the sandpaper to be flush with the cork. Finish by labeling each block.
Try making sanding blocks that are reusable on your own. Begin by cutting some 3/4 inch plywood into blocks. Be certain they are approximately 2 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches. Use spray adhesive on both the cork tile square and your blocks. Use a utility knife to cut the cork flush after sticking a block to the cork. Spray some adhesive on a sandpaper sheet and stick it on each cork block face down. Lastly, cut the sandpaper flush with the cork, and label each block.
When you apply wood finishes and stains, make sure you stir, not shake them. You need to do this to remix whatever may have separated. But, if you shake it could cause bubbles to form which would mean it wouldn’t mix too well. Be sure you stir it up until your mix is dispersed correctly and in a smooth manner.
Gel Stains
Use stair gauges to guide your crosscuts. Attach them to a carpenter’s square, and use them to ensure that they match the rise and run of your stair jack. Mark the notches on your carpenter’s square. Putting them onto the tongue of the carpenter’s square will produce a good crosscut guide for the circular saw.
Try out some gel stain next time you are staining furniture items. Gel stains can stick to lumber well, while liquid ones can run. Also, because your gel stains are a lot thicker their pigment is going to be consistent while applying it so that the stain is more even on vertical and horizontal pieces.
Never use your own fingers as guidance when cutting narrow chunks of wood. Try using thin wood strips to push that piece through your saw. This will ensure safety while you perform dangerous tasks.
Having a couple of beers while you get things done might seem like a great way to spend a weekend. However, it is a very bad idea to drink and work with saws. Never drink any alcohol while you are working a project. Don’t use prescription drugs either.
If you’re renting a new tool, get a tutorial from the store before using it. Oftentimes, they have someone available to train you with the tool. Also, ask about handouts or instruction sheets for your tool.
Make sure you aren’t neglecting to talk to other people. Your shop might be reclusive and not even have the Internet. Still you may get stumped from time to time on various projects. Look for other woodworkers and ask them questions. You can’t have a problem that someone else has not had.
Your woodworking skills can be used in your backyard. Consider building a bird feeder, or maybe a deck. You can sit back and watch the birds and come up with your next woodworking project. Bring clients to your new deck to show off your skills.
Use premade woodworking kits if you are new to it. You can make specific projects because the wood is pre-cut. They can be terrific help in becoming acclimated to woodworking fundamentals. This is a good way to get started without spending a lot on your projects or taking the risk of making mistakes.
Each shop needs a stair gauge. They are generally used for laying out stair jacks, but they can be used to clamp carpenter’s squares. This will transform your carpenter’s square from a straight-line tool, into a straight guide for your saw. You can always make perfectly straight cuts by using this method.
As you can now see, woodworking is something anyone can do. The key is to learn all the fundamentals then get lots of practice. Using this advice will help you master working with wood.