It can be a lot of fun if you want to start working with wood. While this is true, it’s such a vast field that you might not know where to begin. Rather than concerning yourself with this, go slowly in the beginning. This article will show you exactly how to do that.
Use a pre-stain wood conditioner before applying a stain. You will get less irregularities or blotches if you apply a quality pre-stain product. Conditioners can smooth the uneven grain of your wood and cause the stain to penetrate the wood more evenly.
Consider making sanding blocks yourself that you can reuse time and again. 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. Spray adhesive on the wood and a piece of cork. Start by sticking a block to the cork before cutting the cork with a utility knife. Spray some adhesive on a sandpaper sheet and stick it on each cork block face down. You can make smaller blocks if you wish as well. These can be used for smaller pieces demanding finer sanding.
Test your stains on scraps of wood or inconspicuous areas of the piece you’re using. Testing first will give you an idea of how the stain will look on a real piece. You’ll get no unwelcome surprises later. It is important to avoid mistakes to save time and money.
Be realistic about your budget. Keep in mind that complicated projects are often the most expensive ones. You might just run the risk of having the enthusiasm for a project, but not enough money once you’re halfway done. Do the math before you start, and you can avoid an unpleasant surprise.
Do not use your fingers to guide a narrow strip of wood into the saw. Use a strip of wood instead to maximize safety. This will help ensure you keep all of your fingers, making woodworking much easier.
Dry fit your wood before using glue. When you try to move things around after applying the glue, you’ll likely end up with a big mess. Doing a dry-fit gives you a chance to see how everything will go together when you apply glue.
Add a bit of extra spring in your grip. There are a few times you need a spring clamp, when you can only use one hand. It can very hard to open these up just using one hand. There is of course, one way to make that simpler. Before you begin a glue-up, place all the clamps that you need on a random scrap of wood using both free hands. This makes it possible to use them with only one hand when you need to.
Be sure to use appropriate protection for your ears. Machinery causes a lot of noise, which can damage your ears. Too much exposure to these loud sounds can harm your hearing over time. Use a pair of high quality headphones or disposable earplugs. Make sure you wear them when working with woodworking tools.
You may be just starting out with your woodworking hobby, but you are on the right path to becoming a master craftsman with the tips in this article. Continue to learn more about it so you can bask in the excitement you get from creating wood art pieces. Discover everything you are able to create.