If woodworking has long interested you, you might have wondered where to begin. If you don’t know what you’re up against, you can’t find success. The following article offers many tips and techniques about this art.
When doing any woodworking project, safety is a big concern. Be sure to follow all safety directions when using power tools. Don’t take guards off the power tools. These simple things can help protect you from accidents.
Use pre-stain conditioners if you’re going to stain 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 applications even out the stain on the wood.
Consider making your own sanding blocks that are reusable. Create six blocks of the same size from some plywood. Try to be certain that they measure roughly 2.5 inches by 4.75 inches. Use an adhesive spray on the blocks as well as your cork tile square. Stick a block to the cork, making sure to cut the cork flush with a utility knife. Spray some adhesive on a sandpaper sheet and stick it on each cork block face down. Then cut the sandpaper that is flush with the cork and label the blocks.
Before you apply a stain, test it on an area that is hidden or a piece of wood scrap. By doing this, you can prevent unwanted surprises in the event that the stain color turns out differently than you expected. This will go a long way in preventing disappointment.
Try using a stair gauge as a crosscut guide. Clamp them to a carpenter’s square while making sure they line up with the rise and run of your stair jack. Then use a pencil to mark the notches. By placing them on the tongue of the carpenters square that is the same, you can come up with a very good guide for the circular saw.
Make sand blocks that you can reuse. Start by cutting a few blocks from a scrap piece of plywood for all the sandpaper grits you need to use. Each block should be about 2 inches by 4 inches. Use some spray adhesive on your blocks and the cork tile. Stick one block to your cork and be sure to cut your cork flush using a utility knife. Spray adhesive on the back of your sandpaper sheets and attach to the cork blocks. Cut the sandpaper so it aligns with the cork and do not forget to label your blocks.
Always select the correct wood for your project. Some pieces require a durable hardwood, while others can be done with a softer type of wood. If you haven’t been working with wood for long, take the time to educate yourself on the wood.
Avoid using your fingers as guides while cutting narrow pieces of wood. Use a strip of wood instead to maximize safety. That means you get to keep your fingers, which means you get to keep woodworking.
Know wood characteristics before buying or using it in your projects that need staining. Paint grade always indicates that the wood isn’t a good quality, for instance, and stain grade will mean the grain pattern will be good for staining. Veener and particleboard are different too; particleboard may absorb too much stain, and veener may not absorb enough. Using the right wood ensures that your project will turn out just as you expected it to.
It is always best to stir your stains and finishes, as opposed to shaking them. Some of the ingredients in these stains and finishes tend to settle to the bottom over time. But, if you shake it could cause bubbles to form which would mean it wouldn’t mix too well. Stir completely, allowing all settlement to blend evenly and smoothly.
Look around for wood that is recycled. You can find many discarded scrap wood pieces if you search around. For example, a home improvement store is a good place to check. Take advantage of this and look for pieces that might help your project. This can save you a ton of money.
Turn your yard into an oasis through woodworking. You can make projects like an attractive doghouse or bird feeder. The birds you attract should keep the insects from bugging you while you relax and plan out your next project. If you are a professional craftsman, offer to meet clients at your home or shop to show off your work.
Something can always fly toward your eyes and cause damage. You cold end up with a blind eye if you ignore wearing your goggles. Make sure that your goggles fit properly.
Never use your fingers like a guide. Use a thin piece of wood instead. Use it to guide the wood through the saw. This makes sure that you won’t chop off a finger.
When you are sanding, do not apply a lot of pressure. If you push too hard, the surface will be uneven. If you are using the right grit, you do not have to be forceful. Sand lightly, using circular movements.
Drafting Square
A drafting square helps you make accurate cuts. It can be hard to accurately measure wood from two to three feet. Squares can be cumbersome and inacurate. Get to an art supply store to purchase a drafting square. They are accurate and easy to use.
If you are using laminate, a good way to cut the wood is to use tin snips. They let you rapidly cut the piece into shape. Your tin snips will stay sharp if you only use them to cut the laminate.
There are some must have power tools that you’re going to need to get before you start on a woodworking project. You need a jigsaw, circular saw, table saw, drill and a power sander. Ideally, you want an orbital sander, but you can still work with a regular power sander.
Woodworking is an interesting type of art. With any luck, the above article has given you some suggestions that you can take into the shop with you. From building a table to whittling a toy, today is the day to start your next project. You may surprise yourself!