While it might not be apparent now, there may come a time when good woodworking skills will be needed in your life. Beyond making knick-knacks, or small pieces, the art of making your own furniture is reward in itself. Continue reading this article for crucial advice in terms of this body of knowledge.
Use the right wood for your project. Some woods are not as strong as others. Always research the type of wood you want to work with before you get started on your new project.
Safety always comes first. Make sure that you always use tools properly and wear the proper safety equipment. When your power tools are on, you should always be wearing safety equipment. You could get hurt if you do this.
Understand the characteristics of the woods you’re using. All wood is different. Different tree species respond to staining in different ways. Additionally, wood will splinter differently depending on the quality. Therefore, you will want to check out all of the types possible. Each of these things should be considered before starting your next woodworking project.
You want to be sure that you have the right size nails for your project. If you use a nail too big for the task, it may split the wood, ruining the piece. But if you use a nail too small, it may not have the strength or size to hold the pieces together. You have to figure out what size nail you need for best results.
Sturdy Shoes
Pre-stain conditioners are very important to use while woodworking. You will get less irregularities or blotches if you apply a quality pre-stain product. Conditioners can smooth the uneven grain of your wood and cause the stain to penetrate the wood more evenly.
Make sure to wear sturdy shoes when doing woodworking. There are a lot of wood chips and nails that you will need to navigate through. You need to be safe when working in your shop. Protecting your feet is important and will keep you from getting injured. You should have sturdy shoes for the environment you are working in.
Avoid being a perfectionist with tape measures. Try using a story stick, gradually working your way to cutting. It is best to cut on scrap wood to get an idea. It’s always a good thing to have variety in planning cuts to prevent mental fatigue.
Search around for used furniture that people toss out. A lot of times, you can get furniture for free, or very cheaply. Do not dismiss an item just because it looks to be on its last legs. Even if the dresser isn’t able to be fixed, you may be able to arrange the drawers into a good bookshelf.
Use the right wood for your project. Different types of wood can handle different levels of stresses. Some are stronger than others. If you don’t know how each wood type is going to handle what you’re trying to do, take a bit of time to learn about each first.
You don’t know when something will fly toward your eyes. Always keep your goggles on and be vigilant when working with wood. Make sure your pair fits snugly and let you see well.
Several hand tools should be a part of your arsenal. The first tool you need is a hammer. Choose a claw hammer for the best results. Get one with the proper heft for your hand. Avoid picking out a hammer that feels too heavy.
Wet the wood you plan to sand. Wetting a surface will bring up the grain. This helps to get rid of small scratches in your finished piece. Your final product will be very professional looking. Wetting the wood before sanding is a time tested way to get the best results.
If you plan on renting an unfamiliar tool, ask the company if they can provide a short tutorial. The people that work for these companies have representatives well-versed in the tools they rent. They can get you up to speed. Also, ask about handouts or instruction sheets for your tool.
For smaller cuts, use drafting squares. If you have to cut wood at about 2 to 3 feet, it’s hard to measure it right. Drywall squares are notorious for their inaccuracy, and a carpenter square must be attached to the edge of your piece, which can be cumbersome. Get to an art supply store to purchase a drafting square. Those are very accurate and very easy for you to use.
It is important to be patient. It is common for people to begin a woodworking project, then get frustrated or upset when it doesn’t come together quickly. Keep a realistic view of the work that you need to do, and just enjoy the time you have creating pieces. Be patient. It will keep you focused and help you keep working. Your piece will be done soon!
Woodworking Programs
Dry fit your wood before using glue. This will give you the ability to make the necessary adjustments if need be. Using dry-fit will show you where to put the pieces should go.
There are a number of fine woodworking programs on television these days. They can teach you quite a bit of new information while giving you some ideas on future projects you may want to work on. If you don’t know of any woodworking programs, look at TV listings to find out when they are on.
Prior to staining, prepare the wood so it can easily absorb the stain. This can be accomplished when you apply a wood conditioner. The conditioning ingredients go deep into the grain of the wood and allow the wood to more evenly disperse the color of the stain used. After applying the stain, take a rag to remove any excess.
Save any scrap wood, as it often comes in handy for later projects. Small pieces of wood really come in handy to fill gaps and help you clamp freshly glued wood. Small scraps of wood are also good for practicing on.
One of the essential tools for any woodworking shop is a stair gauge. They are used most often for laying out stair jacks, but they can also be used to clamp carpenter squares. This adds a very practical element to your project that can save time and money. If you use the square as a guide, your cuts will be straight every time.
Do not buy too much wood, tools and other supplies. You may not use all of it and just have extra stuff laying around. You should only be buying what you are going to use today or really soon.
The use of a fly cutter can be quite dangerous. To make the arm and bit easier to see, use fluorescent paint to color the tips. This will help you keep out of the way when you are cutting the wood.
When chiseling, your movements should be away from the body. Chisels can slip and end up stabbing you if you are chiseling toward you. You do the same thing with a saw. Start cutting motions away from your body and hands.
Look for recycled wood. Some woodworking shops discard useful scraps. Home improvement stores, floor shops and other such places usually discard any unused wood. Use this to your advantage and try to find the pieces you need to work on your project. This can save you quite a bit of money.
After reading this article you know more about working with wood than you knew before. It comes in handy eventually, as woodworking is a common necessity. Make sure to keep reading and learning, and doors will open up for you.