Are you a fan of woodworking? Have you previously attempted this skill, or perhaps you are someone who enjoys making things out of wood now? This article provides some valuable information for the craft of woodworking, whatever type you are involved in. Read on to learn some more about this craft.

Safety always comes first. Proper tool use and safety equipment are important when you are woodworking. Guards on power tools are provided for your protection so leave them alone. You don’t want to start in your workshop and end in a hospital bed.

Use pre-stain conditioner if you plan on staining your project. The conditioner will make it more difficult to notice irregularities in the wood. They will make the wood smooth and allow the stain to go on evenly.

TIP! It is always a good idea to have a pre-stain conditioner for the wood you’re planning to stain. This will help you to get an even finish when you stain.

Whenever you’re thinking of cutting a piece of wood that’s narrow, don’t try to use your fingers to guide it. Use a thin piece of wood instead. Use it to guide the wood through the saw. This will help ensure you keep all of your fingers, making woodworking much easier.

Before applying glue, try a dry fitting first. This will give you the ability to make the necessary adjustments if need be. Dry-fitting will let you plan out where each piece will go.

A stair gauge is a great tool to keep in your shop. They are used often to layout jacks for stairs, but they can also be clamped to your carpenter’s square. It will convert a carpenter’s square into your guide for the circular saw. Also, it will improve the quality of each cut.

Test an area or scrap wood before using a stain. This will help you to pick the right stain color for your project. Since wood is often unpredictable, you can avoid unpleasant surprises by completing this test.

TIP! Test your stains on scraps of wood or inconspicuous areas of the piece you’re using. This will give you an idea of what it will look like on the finished project.

Be sure that you have a blade that in great condition before sawing anything. A blade that has become dull can make it almost impossible to saw as you need to. It could also lead to costly errors, depending on what type of wood you are using.

Add some extra spring to your grip. Sometimes you might need a spring clamp, however you only have one hand available to use. It’s hard to open them with just one hand. You can make this easier. Before gluing anything, first put clamps on scraps of wood. This will put them close to the jaw size for your piece, so you will not fumble around as much.

Do you currently have a screw that needs some tightening but is not easy to reach? Your toolbox contains the answer. Grab a screwdriver with a long handle and a 12-point socket. Fit the socket onto your screwdriver and attach it to your favorite ratchet.

Stir your paint and stain, don’t shake it! Some ingredients in these products may settle over time. But, shaking may cause unwanted bubbling, and keep the product from mixing well. Be sure you stir it up until your mix is dispersed correctly and in a smooth manner.

TIP! You should stir stains and finishes before using them. They should never be shaken.

It is time to start woodworking now. Use this advice to get started. If you work hard, your results will be stunning. You are in complete control of your woodworking destiny.