Woodworking is a skill that has been valued since the beginning of time. Many woodworkers enjoy it from an artistic point of view while others enjoy creating larger, more functional items. But whatever it is that you enjoy about woodworking, here are some tips to help you enjoy it even more.
Reusable sanding blocks save you time and money. To make them all you need is a few pieces of scrap lumber. Cut a piece of 2×4 into a rectangle approximately 2 inches wide and 4 inches long. Cut a piece of sandpaper the size of your block. Then, spray one side of the piece of lumber with spray adhesive and adhere the sandpaper to the block of wood.
Tape can be your friend when gluing stained wood together. Place the two pieces of wood together in a clamp and tape the seam before applying the glue. Carefully cut the tape along the joint and then separate the two pieces of the wood and apply the glue along the joint. Clamp together and allow to dry. The tape will keep the glue off the wood and is easy to remove once the glue is dried.
You can use tape to catch excess glue. If you want to prevent oozing glue stains along joints, try clamping pieces together without using any glue. You just put tape on your joint, and then cut along it using a sharp blade. Separate your pieces, and then apply glue. After that, clamp them to each other again. Your glue will ooze on the tape instead of the wood. You can peel off the tape before your glue dries.
Before using any new tool, do your research on it in full. New tools can mean serious injuries for those that use them incorrectly. Even if you’re pretty sure of how to use it, don’t risk it. Study up via the web and books related to the tool in question.
When staining woods, always test in a hard to see area before moving forward. In fact, if you’ve got a piece of scrap wood, that’s even better. You never know how a type of wood will take to stain, so it’s best to find out in a place that won’t be an issue later on.
Avoid becoming obsessed with tape measures. Story sticks can work wonders, and it is possible to work gradually towards the cut you want. Practicing on scraps first is a great way to try various fittings. Planning out a variety of cuts for your project will help prevent mental boredom.
Make sure the lighting is sufficient in your work area. Woodworking requires a degree of accuracy. Not only that, cutting the wood requires sharp tools. That means you need to see what you are doing clearly to avoid mistakes and injuries.
Keep your work area as clean as possible. Woodworking creates a lot of mess, especially dust. This dust can get into your home and eventually into your lungs. This can cause real health problems down the road for you and your family. So take a few minutes after a job, and sweep up your space.
Use premade woodworking kits if you are new to it. All the wood has been pre-cut for you in these kits and it is your task to simply put them together. This is an excellent way to get started and learn the basics of woodworking. This is a less expensive approach to learning the trade without risking that you will waste expensive materials.
Accuracy is the key in good woodworking techniques. Measure carefully, and double check your measurements often. It only take one miscalculation to result in a cutting error, which can end up in a ruined project. Taking the extra time to measure carefully will prevent some of these problems stemming from inaccurate measurements.
If you are making something from a set of plans, read through the plans before you begin. You need to make sure that you understand every step so there will be no surprises. Knowing what step comes next can help you plan out the current step. This will help you be more prepared in your projects.
Take time to learn about the different types of wood and where they can be used. Each type of wood has its own benefits. For example, soft woods are generally cheaper; however, they tend to warp over time. Teak is a perfect wood for outdoor use; however, it is very expensive.
Make sure that your woodworking area has lots of light. Whenever you are working with wood, you need bright light. This can also help spot any problems areas, especially when sanding. Also, it will allow you to ascertain that the stain is evenly applied.
In terms of woodworking tools, you can never get enough clamps. Have a wide variety available to you. You’ll need them for holding things in place during cutting, holding together two pieces of wood when gluing, and much more. This is the one type of tool that you’ll need for nearly every project.
Tool belts can be a carpenter’s best friend. Whenever you are doing a woodworking project, a tool belt can keep all the necessary supplies close at hand. A useful tool belt will have several pouches to hold an assortment of fasteners. Additionally, you will want a tool belt with a holster for your hammer.
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.
Consider changes you might want to make in the future when you plan big projects. If you are planning on turning your shed into a workshop, ask yourself if you will need electric outlets in the future. If so, be sure that there is ample room for wiring and switches to be installed as well as a space for the light to go on the ceiling.
As you already know, woodworking can be a very useful and creative hobby. There is a lot of creativity and enjoyment that goes into creating items of wood. Hopefully the tips from above will enhance your woodworking efforts and inspire you to make even more works of art to enjoy.