If woodworking appeals to you, you need to understand the basics before you dive right in. You have to know what to do and you’ll also need to practice. There are a lot of ways to get into woodworking, so keep reading if you’d like to know more.
When you’re using finishes or stains you should always stir them instead of shaking them. Certain ingredients in such items tend to settle with time. Shaking can lead to bubbling, though, which causes its own set of problems. Stir as best as you can to prevent this from happening.
As with anything involving power tools, safety is the number one concern in woodworking. Make sure you know how to use power tools properly and always wear safety equipment. Don’t ever remove the guards from your power tools; they are in place for your protection. Avoid doing a project and having to go to the hospital.
Don’t guide your saw with your fingers when cutting narrow pieces of wood. Using a piece of wood as a guide is much safer. This will help ensure you keep all of your fingers, making woodworking much easier.
Dry Fitting
Consider doing a dry fitting of your pieces before you use glue to join these together. Attempting to fix a problem after you’ve applied glue is a recipe for damage and disaster. Dry fitting your pieces will show you how the components fit together.
You can make your own reusable sanding blocks. Start by cutting a few blocks from a scrap piece of plywood for all the sandpaper grits you need to use. Be certain they measure 2.5 inches across by 4.75 inches long. Use an adhesive spray on the blocks as well as your cork tile square. Stick a block to the cork, making sure to cut the cork flush with a utility knife. 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.
Learn about the wood you want to use before you try to stain 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. Particleboard and veneer differ from one another. Veneer doesn’t always absorb enough of the stain, and particleboard over-absorbs it. Choosing the right wood turns your project into a success.
It is a good idea to keep a small ruler in your pocket, but you may find it falls out when you bend over because of the length. Purchase a metal ruler to carry along with a small telescoping magnet that is used to grab loose screws or nails. The magnet keep both items tight in your pocket.
Be certain your blades are sharp before you start sawing. If you allow a saw blade to become dull, you will have a tough time sawing with it. It will also make you make more mistakes that could end up costing you money depending on the wood you’re working with.
You should always test stain on a small area or on a wood scrap. This lets you stay away from any sudden surprises when the stain color is not what you expected. Wood can be unpredictable, so you can avoid mistakes and disappointment by doing this simple test.
If you are planning on a woodworking project, it is important that you select the best wood for the project. A soft wood like pine should never be used as a top for a table because it can easily get scratched. Different types of wood will have a different color once they have been finished.
Incorporate your woodworking skills in yard projects. Consider building a bird feeder, or maybe a deck. Hopefully, the birds will eat the insects so you can enjoy your deck without pesky insects biting you. Use your deck to help you meet clients. By doing this, you may find clients dying to buy your next woodworking project!
When you first start out with your woodworking, try using some kits that are available. The wood in these kits are already pre-cut for you and are easily joined together into a finished product This is a good way to begin this hobby. This is a great, cost-effective way to introduce yourself to woodworking.
When creating crosscut guides, use a stair gauge. Just clamp them on your carpenter’s square while making sure they match up. From there, make note of the notches. By placing them on the tongue of the carpenters square that is the same, you can come up with a very good guide for the circular saw.
Keep your eye out for furniture that others have tossed out. You can always find great furniture that costs nothing. Think about all the possibilities before you dismiss a piece. If you cannot use the dresser itself, you may still be able to use the drawers.
Woodworking is something that can be very interesting to get into. This article has offered many tips to help you improve your skills. It does not matter if you’re making toys or furniture, you should try it. You may be amazed by all that you can accomplish.