If you have thought about getting into the woodworking field, then the following article is just what you need. The tips here can help you master the craft. Keep reading so that you can learn more.
Anytime that you begin a new project you must consider your safety first. Always use your tools in the way they were intended to be used and wear safety equipment at all times. Do not take guards off of power machines, because they are meant to protect you. This will reduce the chances for severe injury.
Use pre-stain conditioners if you’re going to stain the wood. This will reduce any blotches in the piece that you create. The conditioners will help smooth out the wood and facilitate even staining.
Before using any stains or finishes on your wood, make sure you stir them and not shake them. Some ingredients they contain will settle at the bottom of the can, which can effect the outcome of your project. Shaking can cause bubbles and lead to uneven mixing. Stir completely, allowing all settlement to blend evenly and smoothly.
When you have woodworking pieces ready for final assembly, always remember to run them through a quick dry-fit before you break out the glue. Attempting to fix a problem after you’ve applied glue is a recipe for damage and disaster. You can figure out what goes where with a dry fit.
A stair gauge is an essential item in every wood shop. They not only assist with stair jack layouts, but can also be used when your carpenter’s square needs to be clamped. This will transform your carpenter’s square from a straight-line tool, into a straight guide for your saw. When you use this square, you’ll cut perfectly straight every time.
Consider making sanding blocks yourself that you can reuse time and again. Begin by using scrap plywood to cut six blocks for each type of sandpaper grit. They should be 2.5″ by 4.75″. 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. Spray the back of a sheet of sandpaper with adhesive and adhere the cork side of the block to it. Cut the sandpaper flush and label the block.
Before doing any saw work, make sure the blades of the saw are good and sharp. A dull blade will not allow you to finish your project. Dull blades can also cause costly errors due to damage to your wood.
Ensure that you are wearing the right protection for your ears. The machinery gets very noisy. Exposing your ears to these things for a long time can cause hearing loss. Get a pair of inexpensive ear plugs, or buy a great pair of noise canceling headphones. Use them anytime you are using the machinery.
As you read at the start of this article, there is a lot that you can learn about woodworking so that you can get started on being a woodworker yourself. Thankfully the information you read here has offered many great tips to help you. Now, you can get started in the craft and explore potential projects.
Try using stair gauges for your crosscut guides. Clamp them to carpenter’s squares and be sure they match the runs and rises of the stair jacks. Then you simply mark where the notches are. Have the share one tongue of the carpenter square. This is a combination that will provide you and excellent crosscut guide for your circular saw.