When I was a child, my grandfather had a workshop in his basement. He would supply us with wood, tools and hardware and we would create a myriad of imaginative crafts. If you have grown up with a love of woodwork, the tips below will help you master your craft.
When you are budgeting for new projects, don’t forget to set aside money for any tools you need. You may only think about the wood and overlook the tools themselves. If you need these tools and don’t have them, they can make you go over your budget.
When you are working on a project, be sure to face your light directly on your working area. The bright light will enable you to detect any drips or runs you may not see otherwise. Missed areas will also be more visible. Be sure to always work in a well-ventilated area as well.
One of the necessary tools for woodworking is the common pencil. Pencils do get lost easily, however. Buy plenty, then store them in an old instant soup container. Fill the container with sawdust and drill holes in the lid. You’ll now have plenty of pencils and the container won’t tip over easily.
Always know the specific characteristics of the wood you are working with before you begin a staining project. If the wood is paint grade, the quality isn’t as good. If it is stain grade wood, it is meant to be stained. If using veneer or particleboard, understand that particleboard absorbs a lot of stain while veneer will not absorb as much. The proper wood helps your project come out the way that you hoped.
If you are working with wood, it can be very dangerous to have a messy workshop. Do everything you can to keep your work area clean and well-maintained. Every time you are done with a specific tool, out it away before you get another. It may seem like this is time consuming, but you won’t have any reason to clean up later.
The most important part of any woodworking project is safety. There are many sharp tools that need to be used and you should be very careful when using them. Find out the proper way to use these tools. If they are power tools, read the manual. If they are hand tools, have a professional show you how to use them properly.
Create a reusable sanding block. You will gain more control when sanding and it is cheaper than buying the manufactured version. Put your scrap plywood to use on your projects. Cut one wood scrap for each sandpaper grit, and then spray it with adhesive and attach the sandpaper.
Never rush through your woodworking sessions. Not only can you make mistakes in your project, you can also severely hurt yourself in the process. Take things slow, and double check your work often. Even if this means the project takes a few extra hours, your safety is worth more than that extra time.
Make sure that your work space is always very brightly lit. It is very dangerous to use machinery in an area that is not optimally lit. If you do not have the fixtures needed you should invest in high quality lamps so that you are not at risk for injury from not being able to see well.
Watch other woodworkers for tips. You might find that, after watching someone work on wood, that they do things a little differently than you do them. In fact, noticing differences might just help you to be a more effective woodworker yourself. Make sure you get permission first, though; you don’t want them to think you are staring too much!
When crosscutting large sheets of plywood, clamp one board beneath the plywood. This creates an auxiliary fence to ride against the left side of the top of your table saw. Doing this will prevent your blades from binding. It will also help keep you from burning the wood, or creating worse problems.
Use hot glue instead of a clamp on small projects. If you have to cut, shape, or file a small object, try using a hot glue gun to attach it to a pedestal. It will hold better than a clamp, and can be used on projects that are too oddly shaped or small to be clamped in the first place. To remove it, simply pry lightly with a putty knife.
Think about the inevitable contracting and expanding that the wood will endure when you are working on a woodworking project. Keeping this factor in mind can ensure that you make joints that can handle any pressure that may be applied as weather changes, especially if your completed project will be left outdoors.
Know the wood that you are working with very well before you begin your next woodworking project. You want to know the direction of the grain, the durability of the wood as well as how it will be affected by weather conditions and the tools that you plan to use. Knowing these things will help to have the results that you desire.
An organized toolbox is essential to a master craftsmen. Many carpenters find that using a variety of containers can keep their toolbox looking tidy. 35mm film containers are perfect for hold small fasteners and a variety of tupperware containers are perfect for holding nuts and bolts. Finally, magnetic strips can keep your screwdrivers and wrenches organized in your toolbox.
If you are tackling a large, complicated project, check to see how other people approached similar jobs. This will give you a good foundation for your idea. If they give you some inspiration or useful measurements, they are often truly valuable.
If you can take your love of working with wood and pass it on to your kids, you will imbue them with skills that last a lifetime. Use these tips to give them the right advice when it comes to completing their projects. That will ensure that they are able to keep this hobby going well into adulthood.