You can express the artistic side of yourself when you are working with wood. It is a hobby many people enjoy and it is rewarding as well. Would a few tips and tricks help you get started? Continue reading for some solid advice.
Do not use your fingers to guide a narrow strip of wood into the saw. The smart thing to do is to use another wood piece to push your wood up to the saw. This keeps your fingers safe, which of course are vital for living as well as the continuation of your wood working projects.
Try making sanding blocks that are reusable on your own. Cut six 3/4″ pieces of plywood for each sandpaper grit. They should be 2.5″ x 4.75″. Put spray glue on a cork tile and each block. Apply the cork to the block and use a utility knife to cut the cork flush with the block. 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.
Each shop needs a stair gauge. They are used often to layout jacks for stairs, but they can also be clamped to your carpenter’s square. This will transform your carpenter’s square from a straight-line tool, into a straight guide for your saw. The square will get you wonderfully straight cuts all the time.
Know wood characteristics before buying or using it in your projects that need staining. Wood that is paint grade is not high quality. On the other hand, wood that is stain grade will stain better. Particleboard and veneer differ from one another. Veneer doesn’t always absorb enough of the stain, and particleboard over-absorbs it. Using the proper wood makes sure that your project ends up the way you’d like it to.
It seems like a sound idea to have a small ruler within one of your pockets, but you are bound to discover that it falls out any time you bend over. Make the small ruler a metal one, and put it inside the pocket in which you have a small magnet for picking up those loose screws. The magnet will keep everything in your pocket.
Are you aware that the workbench height is key to success of crafting a good piece of work? Measure from the floor to your waist. A perfect height will help you be more efficient.
Is there a screw that needs tightening, but it is located in an unreachable spot? The answer is waiting for you in your toolbox. Grab a screwdriver with a long handle and a 12-point socket. Put the socket on your screwdriver and then attach your favorite ratchet.
Watch for ways to get free wood in your area. Businesses will have leftover pallets, and construction areas may have scrap wood they don’t need. Look online and find ideas for using them.
Drinking some beer while woodworking may seem like fun. But it is never wise to drink while using saws. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while working with tools. Don’t use prescription drugs either.
When you develop a budget, remember to take into account all new items that must be purchased. You may overlook this and not factor in the cost. If you don’t have a tool, you must keep this in mind.
Stay in touch with friends and family. Chances are that you’ll be away from other people in your woodworking shop. There will be moments when you have a tough time with a project. Talk to other woodworkers to get support, answers to your questions, and more ideas. It’s really hard to find a problem that no one has experienced before.
Learning new things about woodworking can be very interesting. Putting what you’ve learned into practice is extremely rewarding and fun. Make some great projects to fill you home and share with others. You may be surprised with what the product looks like when you’re done.