The skill of woodworking is both highly valued and highly demanded. Woodworking is a skill that can be practiced by almost anyone at a wide variety of skill levels. Below are helpful tips to improve your abilities and take woodworking a step further.
If you are going to be staining your project, test on a scrap of wood or an inconspicuous area. Testing first will give you an idea of how the stain will look on a real piece. You’ll get no unwelcome surprises later. Because wood tends to be fickle, mistakes can be avoided by testing it out beforehand.
Make your own sanding blocks. For each sandpaper grit that you usually use, cut six blocks from a scrap of three-quarter inch plywood. Each block should be about 2 inches by 4 inches. Apply spray adhesive to both the blocks and the cork tiles. Stick a single block onto the cork and make sure you’re cutting the cork in a flush way using your utility knife. Spray adhesive on a piece of sandpaper and stick that to both cork blocks face down. Finally, trim the sandpaper and label each block.
Pick out the right kind of wood. Some woods cannot handle the same stress that other woods are able to. If you don’t know how different types of wood will work, spend time learning about both the wood and the project you wish to complete.
Gel Stains
Gel stains are an excellent choice for furniture staining. Gel stains work better on the wood because they don’t run like the liquid stains do. Gel will also have a more consistent pigment upon application.
Before you apply a stain, test it on an area that is hidden or a piece of wood scrap. This helps you to not be shocked when you see the finished product. Wood may not react as you thought, so avoid mistakes and possible disappointment by performing this simple test.
If you are renting a tool that’s new to you, ask the company you are renting from for a quick tutorial. There are often specialists available to help you learn how to use the tool quickly. Ask, too, if they’ve got a handout with any sort of tips for the tool.
You likely already know that you want to have a ruler on hands at all times, but it can be hard to keep it from falling out of your pocket. Buy a metal ruler, and try keeping it in the same pocket as the smaller telescoping magnet you use to pick up loose metal screws. Keep the ruler and the magnet in the same pocket. The ruler will stay in place.
You want to be sure that you have the right size nails for your project. Using a nail that has too big of a diameter could split your wood and it won’t hold properly. But if you use a nail too small, it may not have the strength or size to hold the pieces together. You need to figure out what size is going to work right for your project.
Your workbench’s height is important in woodworking. Measure the distance between the floor and your waist to learn the perfect height for your workbench. This technique will ensure your workbench is at the optimum height.
Your grip can use some extra spring. You may sometimes want to use spring clamps, but this can restrict the freedom of your hands. It can be very difficult to release these using only one hand. You can make it easier though. Prior to doing a glue-up, put your clamps on scrap wood with both hands. This will make it easy to use them with one hand.
Woodworking is a fun way to spend your spare time. There will always be some kind of a project out there for a gifted woodworking professional to work on. From novices to pros, the tips below will be priceless.