Starting off in woodworking is very exciting. It doesn’t matter what you’re creating; you can’t help but get pumped. While it’s not easy, there are many great things you can learn to help you along your journey. With knowledge and practice, you just may create an incredible piece of art.
Power Tools
If you are going to be staining your woodworking project, use a pre-stain conditioner on the wood. These conditioners will make the finished project look better. The conditioner will let the stain apply evenly and smooth out the wood.
As with anything involving power tools, safety is the number one concern in woodworking. Wear safety equipment and always use tools the correct way. Always keep safety guards in place on power tools. You can’t complete the project if you end up hurting yourself.
Make your own reusable sanding blocks. Cut six blocks from any 3/4″ plywood you have, for each sandpaper grit you regularly use. They should be able two and a half inches by four and three-quarters inches. Use spray adhesive on both the cork tile square and your blocks. Start by sticking a block to the cork before cutting the cork with a utility knife. You can then spray adhesive on some sandpaper and place it on the corks. Finally, trim the sandpaper and label each block.
Do some dry fitting before applying glue and then piece the wooden pieces together. You don’t want any surprises when you do actually have to apply the glue. You’ll be prepared. A dry fit is going to help you figure out what goes where.
If you’re working on a woodworking project that calls for stain, always stir the stain first. Some ingredients they contain will settle at the bottom of the can, which can effect the outcome of your project. Shaking the product is likely to lead to a frothy mix that still isn’t properly mixed. Stir completely, allowing all settlement to blend evenly and smoothly.
Every woodworking shop should have a stair gauge in it. They can be used to clamp a carpenter’s square along with laying out stair jacks. This can make a carpenter’s square serve as a guide for a circular saw. Using the square can help you get straight cuts each time.
Particle Board
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. When it comes to veneer and particle board, veneer doesn’t usually absorb the right amount of stain, and particle board absorbs way too much. Having the right wood will help ensure that your project goes as planned.
If you’re renting a new tool, get a tutorial from the store before using it. Sometimes you can even be taught how to use the tool properly which is usually faster and better than if you taught yourself. Also, ask about handouts or instruction sheets for your tool.
Use the right-sized nail for the project. Very large nails can cause the wood to split, which will prevent it from holding well. A nail that isn’t big enough won’t keep the wood together. You have to figure out what size nail you need for best results.
Do not become too much of a perfectionist with your tape measures. Practicing on story sticks is effective and gives you confidence to work your way to that final cut on your project piece. With scrap wood, you can ensure that your pieces fit together nicely. Having a variety of ways to plan out your cuts keeps you from mental boredom.
After reading through these tips, it’s time to put them into action to hone your woodworking skills. There is much to learn about this exciting hobby. Woodworking takes dedication and patience, so don’t be discouraged.
No woodworking shop should be without a stair gauge. They are used often to layout jacks for stairs, but they can also be clamped to your carpenter’s square. This will make them into guides for a circular saw. This will help you with making straight cuts each and every time.