You probably don’t consider yourself a woodworker, or maybe just not a good one. But imagine what you could do if you were. Could you help build structures and buildings? Would you be able to make artistic pieces? Could you restore furniture? If any of these possibilities interest you, keep reading for knowledge you need on woodworking.
Before you stain your wood project, apply a pre-stain conditioner onto the wood. If you use pre-stain conditioners on your project, you’re going to be not as likely to have irregularities on the project when you’re done. These conditioners will smooth out the uneven nature of the wood and allow your stain to penetrate evenly.
When you are working with wood it is important that you take your time. Being hasty leaves you open to making plenty of mistakes. Instead of focusing on the amount of time it takes you to complete a project, do everything you can to keep your mind on the task at hand.
Do not make the mistake of buying woodworking supplies based on the price alone. This can turn out to be a mistake that will cost you more in the end. If the supplies you buy are not very good quality, they will wear out sooner than more expensive tools, which means you will have to replace them much sooner.
Learn about the wood you want to use before you try to stain it. For instance, if a wood is paint grade, it’s probably not quality wood. Stain grade means the wood’s grain pattern makes it great for staining. If using veneer or particleboard, understand that particleboard absorbs a lot of stain while veneer will not absorb as much. Getting the right wood helps ensure your project turns out the way you expect.
Before you paint your wood project, make sure that you have properly sanded the piece. Start with a coarser grade of sand paper, then gradually change to a finer grade. After sanding, wipe your project with a tacky cloth to pick up residual wood dust. After that, your piece will be ready to be painted.
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.
Choose your woodworking tools and equipment carefully if you live in a small space such as an apartment. You can still enjoy completing woodworking projects, but might have to forgo the 14-inch band saw. Pick tools that will do what you need but don’t take up too much space.
If you are in the market to add to your woodworking tools you should try to save money by looking for used tools. It can be rather easy to find these tools on various resale websites, or you may even be able to find a site that caters to woodworkers specifically in your area.
Use hot glue instead of a clamp on small projects. If you have to cut, shape, or file a small object, try using a hot glue gun to attach it to a pedestal. It will hold better than a clamp, and can be used on projects that are too oddly shaped or small to be clamped in the first place. To remove it, simply pry lightly with a putty knife.
Make sure that you have everything that you need before you start a project. Nothing interrupts the process like having to make a trip to the store or having to search for an item that you need. Being properly prepared before you start a project makes it much more enjoyable and easy to accomplish.
Save all of you off cut pieces of wood to practice new techniques on. If you get a new saw, there is nothing like cutting into real, although unimportant wood in order to get a feel for how it works. When you can throw the piece out at the end, there will be no stress to get it right the first time.
The most accurate, effective and important tool you have in your arsenal will always be your brain. If you are thinking about anything else but the work you are doing, your distraction may cause you injury. Pay attention to the job at hand and let all of your other stresses go.
Keep a little putty on hand to help you hold nails. Instead of struggling with an awkward position, you can place a small amount of putty in the spot you want the nail. Stick the nail in the putty, hammer it into place, and remove any excess. Doing this can spare you from having bruised fingers.
Cut away from yourself when you chisel. The chisel may slip and if that happens you’d rather have that happen away from your body. Whenever you are working with a saw, do the same thing.
When you are using a hand plane, always plane with the grain. If you plane against it, you will pull up a lot of splinters and will make your piece of wood uneven on the surface. Do not push down too hard on the plane to avoid gouging into the wood.
Keep a large shoe box or wide plastic tray in your woodworking shop. This is to keep small items like drawing squares, pencils and tape measures in. Basically, you want a place to keep all your small tools in so you don’t lose them from them rolling off a table or getting covered up.
Make sure that you maximize usage of drawers. With efficient drawer spacing, one room can hold a plethora of tools and supplies. Also, put like tools together. You still want to stay organized and be able to find your tools. Keep a logical approach when you store your tools.
When you have skill in woodworking, you have the power to take a raw natural resource and make things with it. Use the tips, tricks and techniques to make your life a more enjoyable one. Build that deck you want behind the house, or restore an old piece of furniture, either for yourself or for profit.