Starting off in woodworking is very exciting. Woodworking can help you create virtually anything you want, regardless of what it is. It’s not a simple skill, but it is rewarding. With just a little practice, you will find yourself immersed in this hobby.
Keep safety in mind at all times. Proper tool use and safety equipment are important when you are woodworking. Never remove any guards off of your power tools that are there to protect you. You don’t want to start in your workshop and end in a hospital bed.
Make your own reusable sanding blocks. Make a list of each sandpaper grit that you typically use, and then cut a full six blocks for each from scrap plywood, 3/4″ thick. Be certain they are approximately 2 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches. Use some spray adhesive on your blocks and the cork tile. Stick a block on your cork, then make certain you cut the cork flush with a utility knife. Then, spray your sandpaper with adhesive and apply it to the cork. Finally you can cut the sandpaper so it’s flush with the cork and then you can label each block.
If you plan to stain a project, apply pre-stain products to your wood. This will reduce the risk of irregularities and blotches in the final product. The conditioner will let the stain apply evenly and smooth out the wood.
When you apply wood finishes and stains, make sure you stir, not shake them. Some of the ingredients tend to settle as time goes on. Shaking can cause bubbling and prevent it from mixing well. Make sure that you stir it thoroughly until the sediments are smoothed out and blended evenly.
Understand your budget’s limitations. It is easy for your eyes to be larger than your wallet. You start your project with great enthusiasm, but you run out of money half way through. Be sure to budget in advance to be prepared for any eventuality.
Prepare your finishes and stains by stirring them instead of shaking them. Some ingredients in these products may settle over time. But, if you shake it could cause bubbles to form which would mean it wouldn’t mix too well. Be sure to stir thoroughly, until all settlement is dispersed evenly and smoothly.
Choose the right type of wood for the project that you are doing. When woodworking, there are some woods which can’t handle the stress other woods can. If you are unsure of how each type of wood will react to what you are trying to accomplish, you should spend some time learning about them first.
Gel Stains
When using stains, a great product choice is gel. Liquid stains are prone to running, while gel stains tend to stick. 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.
Gel stains are a good way to stain furniture. Gel stains work better on the wood because they don’t run like the liquid stains do. The thickness of gel stains helps because it allows the pigment to distribute evenly over all different types of wood pieces.
Use these tips to make your woodworking skills better. There is always more you can learn, so make sure you always look for more information. Woodworking involves patience and dedication.