There are times when you really can learn more than you realized possible. At your job, you may get in-office training to learn something new. But you can also learn a lot from reading article like this one. The ideas below will help to make you a better woodworker.
Always stir your stains and finishes instead of shaking them. Ingredients may have settled onto the bottom as they sat on the shelf. However, shaking can cause bubbling, which keeps it from mixing well. Stir thoroughly until it is even.
If you need to stain a project you’re working on in woodworking, then you should use a stain conditioner first. You will get less irregularities or blotches if you apply a quality pre-stain product. They will smooth out uneven texture and let the stains penetrate the wood evenly.
Most people find that the ideal tool for cutting laminate is a good pair of tin snips. Tin snips let you cut laminate into usable sections easily. This will improve the overall quality of your project.
You can make reusable sanding blocks. First cut 6 blocks from scrap plywood, one for each grit of sandpaper you like to use. Each block should be about 2 inches by 4 inches. Put spray glue on a cork tile and each block. Stick one block to your cork and be sure to cut your cork flush using a utility knife. This piece should then fit you hand fairly well and be secure enough to not slip. Then cut the sandpaper that is flush with the cork and label the blocks.
Always do a dry fit prior to gluing two pieces of wood together. If you attempt to readjust the pieces once glued together, you risk damage to your project. A dry-fit will give you a good idea of what components go where.
Test an area or scrap wood before using a stain. This will prevent you from getting an unwanted stain color on your final product. Wood is pretty unpredictable, so doing this small test can help you avoid any errors.
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. That way, it is possible to make a carpenters square into a circular saw guide. Using the square can help you get straight cuts each time.
You can make your crosscut guides using stair gauges. Clamp these gauges to the carpenter’s square you have and be sure they’re matching up to the stair jack’s run and rise. Be sure to mark the location of the notches. An excellent crosscut guide for the circular saw is the result of the combination after you place them on your carpenter’s square, on the exact same tongue.
Learn about the wood you want to use before you try to stain it. You’ll want to look for paint-grade or stain-grade woods, depending on your desires for the project. Also know that veneer and particle board are really quite different. Veneer tends to absorb too little stain, while particle board too much. Using the proper wood makes sure that your project ends up the way you’d like it to.
As you work through your budget, make note of any tools that will be necessary for the tasks you have in mind. This is easy to overlook if you are focused on the amount of wood you need to buy. Still, tools can get expensive, so you have to think about them.
A golf tee is all you need to fix door hinges which are loose. Remove the door and hinges from the frame and tap the golf tee into the hole. Remove the bit which hangs out and then put the door back into place. The golf tee gives the screw something to bite into.
One of the essential tools for any woodworking shop is a stair gauge. They are generally used for laying out stair jacks, but they can be used to clamp carpenter’s squares. By doing this, your carpenter’s square can turn into a circular saw guide. You won’t have to worry about uneven cuts any more!
Choose the correct nails when starting a project. Nails that are too wide tend to split the wood, weakening the hold. Small nails won’t give a good bond. Make sure you get nails that are just right.
Be certain you use the right nail size for any project. A large nail can split wood, leaving it loose. However, very small nails do not penetrate the wood well; therefore, it won’t hold the wood properly. The right size is a must.
Put some more spring in your grip. You may only have one hand available when you need to use spring clamps. It is sometimes hard to get these things open when you’re only using a single hand. You can make it easier though. Before you begin a glue-up, place all the clamps that you need on a random scrap of wood using both free hands. Because the clamps will already be open, this will allow you to easier grab and use one with only one hand.
Protect your ears. The machinery used in woodworking is noisy. You can lose your hearing if you aren’t careful. You can get throwaway ear plugs or you can buy expensive headphones. Use them every time you use a machine.
Check around your town for free wood scraps. Businesses who use pallets may give them to you at no charge, especially if you can collect them. Look online for some more ideas.
What do you do when you need to tighten a screw that is hard to reach? Your toolbox has answers. Get a screwdriver with a long handle and pick up a 12-point socket. Use the socket to place on a screwdriver, and then attach it to a ratchet.
Wear safe footwear when you are in the shop working on projects. There will be nails, pieces of wood and tools around. It is important to provide protection for your feet in case an upturned nail is in your path, or something heavy falls on your foot. Your footwear needs to be up to the job of protecting your feet in a woodworking environment.
Pay attention to anyone that might be looking to unload their home. You might be able to make some money with woodworking. You might also make valuable improvements to your home. Projects can be as small as crafting a new mailbox and post to as large as installing new kitchen cabinets.
Keep an eye out for recycled wood. There are several places that use wood and discard scraps that can be useful. Some places include big box stores, other woodworkers and floor shops. Use this to your advantage when looking for wood for projects. This can also save you quite a bit of money in the long run.
You need ample lighting in your workshop. You need bright lights when you are working on a project. You need to see the fine details to make your final pieces look good. Additionally, extra lighting will help ensure that your stain is applied evenly.
Drinking beer and woodworking may sound like a lot of fun. Just remember, drinking while you work with a saw can have disastrous consequences. Avoid all woodworking when you are having alcohol. This rule applies to any drug that may affect your ability to think clearly, whether legal or not.
A good circular saw guide is a stair gauge. Usually, stair gauges are for matching the run and rise of stair jacks to match the notches up. Use them along with a carpenter square to guide your saw.
Put your skills in woodworking to work in your yard. Consider building a bird feeder, or maybe a deck. The bird feeder will help attract birds that will keep away pesky bugs. Also, if you work as a professional woodworker, show your clients your work by holding your meetings on your new deck.
Drafting Square
Prior to beginning a first woodworking task, several basic tools must be on hand. Your first tool should be a hammer. A claw hammer is the best option for woodworking projects. Make sure it feels right and good in your hand. It should not be too heavy.
Use a drafting square to complete your projects. Accuracy can be a problem when you are working with pieces under two or three feet. Drywall squares are notorious for their inaccuracy, and a carpenter square must be attached to the edge of your piece, which can be cumbersome. Try instead picking up a drafting square from an arts and crafts store. They are simple to use and very accurate.
A drafting square helps when making small cuts. It can be hard to accurately measure wood from two to three feet. Drywall squares are typically inaccurate, while carpenter squares are cumbersome. Get a drafting square from the art supply store. They are easier to work with and more accurate.
When working on a big project, keep in mind that there might be changes in the future. For instance, if you’re thinking of building a shed out back, would electricity be something you’d need to add? If that is the case, make certain you leave room for switches and wiring to be put in, in addition to space for your light fixture in the ceiling.
Measure twice, cut once. As a matter of fact, you should check it multiple times if expensive wood is used in your project. A lot of the time measuring will be where a lot of people make mistakes. Cutting too far or too short can completely ruin that piece of wood.
When you are working around power woodworking equipment, never wear clothes that fit too loosely. Loose clothes can cause accidents. To keep yourself protected, a fitted shirt that’s tucked in should be worn. Protect your feet with steel toed boots as well.
Plan out your wood pieces by writing a list before you start. This will help you anticipate both problems and expenses. By being aware of the amount of wood you require for your projects, you can save money and time on them. Plan things in advance so that they go well.
We all need to strive to better ourselves at every turn. Whether we attempt a new recipe or look for expert woodworking advice, everything we learn has some use. With these tips in hand, you are ready to get started.
Take the time to watch the various woodworking programs available on television. There is a lot of information you can use, and you can get ideas about projects of your own that you hadn’t thought of before. If you are not sure of how to find these shows, look through your TV guide.
