The skill of woodworking is one that appeals to many. Many, however, do not know how to get started with this hobby. Your luck is about to take a turn. The following article will teach you about woodworking. Continue reading for great insights into woodworking.

When using stain, try a test on a small scrap you may have available or in an area on the wood that will be out of sight. This can help you avoid surprises in case your stain color is different after you’ve applied it. Because wood tends to be fickle, mistakes can be avoided by testing it out beforehand.

Condition your wood with a pre-stain product. This will help you to get an even finish when you stain. Such conditioning agents smooth the wood surface and let stains sink in evenly.

TIP! If you plan to stain a project, apply pre-stain products to your wood. You won’t have any blotches or unevenness when you use a conditioner.

Are you aware that your workbench height is critical to your work quality? Measure from the floor to your waist. This will be the optimum height for your ideal workbench.

Never use your fingers like a guide. Use a strip of wood instead to maximize safety. That way, you will keep your fingers safe and intact.

Learn about the woods you’ll be using and the characteristics of each. No two pieces of wood are alike. Staining has different effects, depending on the kind of wood you use. Also cuts that are different will have splintering effects that are different. You will also see a large variety of wood grains. This is all important as you embark on your next woodworking project.

Gel stains can be your best friend when staining furniture items. Gel stains attach to wood better, as liquid stains run. Gel stains are also thicker which means they’re more consistent.

TIP! Gel stains are fantastic when you stain furniture. Liquid stains have a tendency to run but gel stains will stay in place better, without running.

Always be sure you’re buying the right nail in the right size for the job you’re working on. Any nail that is way too big in its diameter will split your wood a lot of the time and that makes it not hold right. Conversely, if the nail is too small, it can’t penetrate deep enough in the wood to hold these pieces of wood together. You need to identify the proper size for your project.

Put some more spring in your grip. Sometimes you need to utilize a clamp and you only have one hand available. It’s hard to open it with a single hand. You can make this easier. Before you start gluing anything, take the time to clamp a separate wood piece so that the clamps are already open. They will be handy to grab with one hand as you need them.

Do you want to tighten a screw but don’t have space to fit the screwdriver and your hand? Look to your toolbox. Grab a screwdriver with a long handle and a 12-point socket. Get the socket fitted to your screwdriver and then attach that to the ratchet you like to use the most.

If you rent a tool that you have not used before, make sure to get some tips on how to operate it. Many times the people who work there will give you a quick demonstration on how to correctly use the tool. Ask the company if they have detailed instructions you can take with you as well.

TIP! If you plan on renting an unfamiliar tool, ask the company if they can provide a short tutorial. They usually have specialists that could help you adjust to your new equipment a lot faster than you would if you had to do it alone.

You should use more than just tape measures. Story sticks can work wonders, and it is possible to work gradually towards the cut you want. You can practice your cuts on scrap wood to perfect your technique. You can avoid becoming bored by planning your cuts in various ways.

Try to find recycled wood you can use. A lot of places that use or work with wood often throw out pieces that you can use. Floor shops, home improvement stores and other similar places will discard unused wood. Use this to your advantage as often as you can, there really is no reason not to. You can save money this way.

When planning projects, be sure to determine the best wood for it. Do not use a soft wood such as pine for a table top because it will scratch easily. You will also need to remember that different wood varieties take stain differently and will be different colors once finished.

Make sure to use the right nails. A large nail can split wood, leaving it loose. But if you use a nail too small, it may not have the strength or size to hold the pieces together. You need to identify the proper size for your project.

TIP! Choose the correct nails when starting a project. Very large nails can cause the wood to split, which will prevent it from holding well.

Your woodworking skills can be used in your backyard. You can build a deck and a bird feeder. The birds will help keep insects away from your yard. If you’re a professional woodworker, meet your clients on your new deck so they can observe your work.

Keep an eye out for used furniture that you could pick up. Many times you can spot decent wood furniture at reduced prices or even free. Take a moment to consider possibilities before dismissing anything. You may be able to salvage the drawers of an unusable dresser and re-purpose them as bookshelves.

When woodworking, things can fly in your eyes unexpectedly. Wearing goggles can save your vision. If your goggles don’t fit well or provide clear eyesight, find the pair that do.

You should add a bit of extra spring when you are gripping. Trying to make use of a spring clamp when you only have one free hand is not always easy. It can be tough to open such clamps with a single hand. You can make it easier. Before you start gluing things together you should get all the clamps placed you need on just random scraps of wood while you’re using your free hands. This will put them close to the jaw size for your piece, so you will not fumble around as much.

TIP! Have some more spring when you’re working with your grip. You might require the use of a spring clamp at times, but you may only be able to use one hand.

As you can probably tell, woodworking is not a hard skill to acquire. There’s nothing more satisfying that taking an idea in your mind and making it a reality. Whatever you decide to make, you now have the knowledge that will walk you through the process. Go ahead now and make a project you have always dreamed of doing. It doesn’t have to be a useful item!