Learning how to become good at woodworking takes time and practice. The following advice is going to help you prepare for taking on this craft. No matter what you’re trying to make with wood, these universal tips are going to get you started. Join in on the fun today, and start seeing what you can create.
Reusable sanding blocks save you time and money. To make them all you need is a few pieces of scrap lumber. Cut a piece of 2×4 into a rectangle approximately 2 inches wide and 4 inches long. Cut a piece of sandpaper the size of your block. Then, spray one side of the piece of lumber with spray adhesive and adhere the sandpaper to the block of wood.
When staining furniture, turn to gel products. Traditional liquid stains have a tendency to run. Gel stains grab on to the wood better. Also, gel stains are thick and their pigment stays consistent.
Whenever you work with wood, wear a pair of safety glasses and a dust mask to keep yourself safe. When cutting or even hammering into wood, pieces can fly up into your eyes or be breathed in. This can lead to health issues which can end your enjoyment of this pursuit for good.
It is essential for you to have sharpened tools if you plan on working with wood. Dull tools can be dangerous since they are more prone to slippage. If you have no idea how to hone and sharpen your tools, you will need to learn how since there won’t always be someone around to do it for you.
Be safe when you first start out in woodworking. Wear the proper safety clothing, including goggles. You may feel silly, but you are dealing with sharp tools and splintering wood. These are things that can cause significant injuries to even the most seasoned woodworker. So be safe, and make sure all that are around you are safe too.
You should know how to work with wood while using hand tools as well as power tools. If you are doing one quick action, it may be in your best interest to use a hand tool, but if you are completing a larger task, power tools will save you a lot of time.
Always clean up sanding dust thoroughly before staining or applying a topcoat. If you want a smooth finish, dust is your enemy. Use a vacuum over blowing dust into the air because it settles back onto the wood, and use a damp cloth to ensure all dust is removed from the wood in your final cleanup prior to staining or applying a top coat.
Always talk with other woodworkers. The workshop likely limits your contact with the outside world. Still you may get stumped from time to time on various projects. Talking with other woodworkers will help you get the answers you need. You most likely won’t come across an issue that someone before you hasn’t encountered before.
Recycle wood when you can. You can also look for good wood to reuse from establishments that have a lot of scraps, like construction or flooring companies. You not just saving a lot of trees when you use recycled wood in your projects. You are also saving some cash.
When caulking using silicone caulk, mist the caulk with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. The alcohol acts as a lubricant allowing your to smoothly run your finger through the caulk for a perfect line of caulk every time. Spraying the surrounding area with alcohol also keeps the caulk from adhering to the surrounding surfaces.
You can use woodworkers glue to secure joints if you clamp the joint securely in place while the glue dries. Many people prefer to glue the joint in addition to using fasteners. This prevents the joint from loosening if it is subjected to pressure that could cause it to give way.
Consider a woodworking class at your local community college. The skills and experience you pick up can go a long way towards getting started. Even if you already are a woodworker, you’ll meet others who have an interest in the field. These are future friends or possibly even potential professional relationships waiting for you to explore.
There are a couple of hand tools you need to buy before you get started with a woodworking project. A hammer is the very first tool you should invest in. A claw hammer is the best type for woodworking. Go see a few in the store and select something that feels good when you are holding it. Avoid picking out a hammer that feels too heavy.
Get a tool actuated shop vac to do double duty in your woodworking shop. This handy innovation can help you keep your woodworking area clean and tidy as you work. With your sander or saw connected to you tool actuated shop vac, you will have continuous cleanup of dust and shavings as you work. This makes woodworking safer and more pleasant and cleanup quicker and easier.
Every good woodworking shop needs a quality combination square. It is needed for almost every job you’ll tackle. It makes a good depth gauge, using the straight side. It is, of course, perfect for miter cuts. Most have a level built right in. A good combination square is a must-have tool, right up there with a hammer and drill.
Make planning something that takes as much time as the doing. Seriously, when you plan things out, you are less likely to make mistakes and your “doing” time will be a lot shorter. Some people find planning to this extent boring, but the simple fact is it can save you money and time overall.
Now that you’ve read this advice about woodworking, you’re prepared to put it into practice. Use your skills, and trust in your abilities to make something totally unique. Woodworking isn’t always about uniformity but art instead. So get out there and show the world what you’re made of and what you can make.