Woodworking is something people all over the world love to do. In fact, many folks do it to make a living. If you are someone looking to gain knowledge on how to create something from wood, the following tips are a great start.
You should always test stain on a small area or on a wood scrap. This way you will avoid any surprises in case the color of the stain looks different after application. Wood is pretty unpredictable, so doing this small test can help you avoid any errors.
Try making reusable sanding blocks by yourself. Use your scrap pieces of 3/4″ plywood and cut as many blocks as you need for the sandpaper grits you use the most. They should be 2.5″ x 4.75″. Spray adhesive on the wood and a piece of cork. Put one piece of cork on each block and line it up flush. Spray adhesive on your sandpaper, and then stick it to every cork block, facing down. You can make smaller blocks if you wish as well. These can be used for smaller pieces demanding finer sanding.
Try using a stair gauge as a crosscut guide. Match them to the rise and run of your stair jack, then attach them to the carpenter’s square. Mark the notches on your carpenter’s square. When you clamp them on the one tongue of the carpenter’s square it will become a good crosscut guide for your circular saw.
Make sure you have a good idea of what your budget can really make. It is easy to miscalculate costs when it comes to woodworking projects. You are very excited to make something, just to realize halfway through that you don’t have enough money to finish it how you want. Before taking anything on, know what you’re getting into.
What kind of budget do you have available? It is easy for your eyes to be larger than your wallet. Do not get excited about a project before making sure you have enough money to get everything you need. Avoid surprises by doing your homework before beginning.
Gel Stains
If you’re renting a new tool, ask for a brief tutorial. A lot of the time they will have specialists that you can get help from so that you can be comfortable with how a tool works before using it. You can also ask them if they have some kind of a handout that gives tips on what you can do with the tool.
Gel stains can be your best friend when staining furniture items. Gel stains work better on lumber because the liquid kind usually run. Gel stains also allow for consistent color on pieces since it is thicker.
Be aware of the different kinds of characteristics of the wood you are working with, before you choose it for project where staining is involved. For example, a wood that has a stain grade is good for staining. A wood that has a paint grade is lower quality. Similarly, veneer and particle board are quite different; the former does not absorb stain well while the latter absorbs too much. Using the right wood ensures that your project will turn out just as you expected it to.
Rulers don’t like to stay in pockets, but you need them to be handy! If you purchase a metal ruler, you can keep it in your pocket with a telescoping magnet. This will hold the two together, making them bulking enough to stay put.
Even though it is smart to carry a small ruler, sometimes it might fall out when you are working. Purchase a metal ruler to carry along with a small telescoping magnet that is used to grab loose screws or nails. This will keep the metal objects in your pocket.
Be sure your blade sharp prior to trying to cut. Dull blades can make work difficult. It will also increase your chances for error, which could cost you money in the end.
A golf tee is all you need to fix door hinges which are loose. Take the door off its hinges, then remove the hinges themselves, then tap the tee into the screw hole. Remove the bit which hangs out and then put the door back into place. The screw can then “bite” into the golf tee.
Use the right-sized nail for the project. Very large nails can cause the wood to split, which will prevent it from holding well. However, very small nails do not penetrate well; therefore, they won’t hold the wood. You should always choose the right size nail for the project you are working on.
Be sure that your ears are properly protected. Working with wood can be very noisy. Prolonged exposure to it can result in some loss of hearing. Use headphones or ear plugs you can throw away. No matter what you choose, be sure that you use them whenever you operate machinery.
Do not become too much of a perfectionist with your tape measures. Story sticks are good to use, and you can slowly work up to your cut. Cutting on your scrap wood first will be a great idea so you can test a fitting out. Having more than one way to approach a cut keeps things fresh and interesting, avoiding boredom and accidents from mental lapses.
You should keep an eye out for free wood around your area. A lot of companies have pallets out back collecting dust, and they will probably give them to you when you have a way to take them. Rather than break down the pallet, though, search the Internet to see what can be done with it.
Enjoying a few beers as you work at building things may sound like a good idea for a weekend activity. However, saws and beer together is never a combination that shows good results. Drinking alcohol can cause serious injuries when working with power tools. Common sense also says to stay away from using any drugs, prescription or otherwise, for the same reasons.
Wear footwear that’s sturdy when doing woodworking projects. There will be nails, pieces of wood and tools around. You want to ensure that your feet are protected in case you step on something sharp such as a nail or accidentally kick a heavy tool or pile of wood. You want your shoes to also keep you comfortable while you’re walking around the shop.
Be aware of furniture that people are discarding. People can be throwing away furniture that you can get wood from for free. Do not dismiss an item just because it looks to be on its last legs. Maybe the dresser might be too short for the hope chest, but a simple rearranging of the drawers could turn the piece into something artistic.
Avoid being a perfectionist about tape measures. Use story sticks and work up to cutting. Making your cuts first on scrap wood will help you try out a fitting before you move to that final cut. Planning out your cuts in different ways keeps your mind working.
Prior to doing any sanding, make sure to get the target surface wet. That forces the grain to rise. That should help you get rid of little, tiny imperfections. It will give your project a professional finish. It, quite possibly, could save you work in the long run, too.
Search estate sales, garage sales and other resale venues for woodworking tools. Many times you can find great deals on used power tools. This will save you a lot of money when you are just starting or need to replace something.
Test the wood stain on a spot that is inconspicuous. The stain may not look as you expect, or you may have problems applying the stain that you didn’t foresee. Checking it on a hidden spot will help you make any changes you need to make. That saves you work overall.
Make sure you know if family or friends are interested in selling their home. Getting better at woodworking can help you to make some money when you help them, and in return they may be able to sell their home for more. You can do anything from just a new mailbox post to as much as redoing their kitchen cabinets and drawers.
For smaller cuts, a good tool is the drafting square. It isn’t easy to cut in the 2-3 foot range. Squares can be hard to use, whether carpenter or dry wall. Check out drafting squares at your local art supplier. These aren’t that hard to use and can be very accurate.
Use some woodworking kits when you are first starting out. You can make specific projects because the wood is pre-cut. This is an excellent way to get started and learn the basics of woodworking. You can avoid some of the common mistakes and spend little money to learn.
No matter if you are a newcomer or a seasoned craftsman, the advice above can make woodworking go smoother. Each tip will make your projects better and better. The time you took to read this article is really going to pay off!
Measure twice, cut once. If you are working with costly materials, you may want to check them three or four times. More people make costly mistakes when measuring. A small error can easily be the death of a large piece of wood, so be sure to check and then check again every time.
