Are you interested in woodworking? Perhaps you have tried this hobby in the past, and you may currently be involved with woodworking projects. Whatever your interests in wood, you can find some useful advice from the helpful tips presented here. Continue on and learn all about this amazing craft.

Test the stain before you apply it to the wood you are using in your project. This will help you avoid any surprises if the stain color looks different after it has been applied. Wood can be unpredictable, so you can avoid mistakes and disappointment by doing this simple test.

TIP! Condition your wood with a pre-stain product. You won’t have any blotches or unevenness when you use a conditioner.

How high your workbench is truly affects the quality of your work. Measure the distance between the floor and your waist to learn the perfect height for your workbench. This will be the optimum height for your ideal workbench.

Before using any stains or finishes on your wood, make sure you stir them and not shake them. Some of the ingredients tend to settle as time goes on. But, if you shake it could cause bubbles to form which would mean it wouldn’t mix too well. Stir for at least five minutes so that everything is even.

Gel Stains

TIP! Be sure you understand what is possible under your budget. Sometimes your eyes are larger than your wallet when you have a particular project in mind.

If you plan to stain furniture, look in to gel stains. Gel stains can stick to lumber well, while liquid ones can run. Furthermore, since a gel stain is thicker it tends to remain constant through the application process, which lets it be more even on the furniture.

Try dry fitting wood before you glue it. You don’t want any surprises when you do actually have to apply the glue. You’ll be prepared. With a dry-fitting, you will have a better idea where each component should go.

Protect your ears. Woodworking can be very loud. You want to avoid hearing loss from prolonged exposure. You can get throwaway ear plugs or you can buy expensive headphones. Whatever you go with, be sure you’re wearing them when using the loud machinery.

TIP! Gel stains are a good way to stain furniture. Gel stains attach to wood better, as liquid stains run.

Your workshop needs to be well lit. Measurements must be accurate when working with wood. Also, sharp tools are used to do the wood cutting. Make sure the room is well-lit to eliminate injuries and mistakes.

Having a couple of beers while you get things done might seem like a great way to spend a weekend. However, you never want to mix drinking with machinery such as saws. Avoid using any alcohol when working on a project. The same caution applies to the use of prescriptions or illegal drugs.

Bird Feeder

TIP! Whenever you plan to cut a narrow piece of wood, don’t use your fingers as a guide! Try using thin wood strips to push that piece through your saw. This will prevent you from loosing a finger or two, which would make working with wood very difficult.

Put your skills in woodworking to work in your yard. You can build a bird feeder to add an aesthetic beauty to your backyard. You can then relax on that deck, virtually bug free, as you watch all the birds you have attracted to your bird feeder have a picnic of their own. If you are doing woodworking professionally, have your meeting on your deck in order to show them your handiwork.

Don’t apply strong pressure when sanding. Using pressure while sanding may cause your surface to become uneven. Using sandpaper of an appropriate grit level will reduce the amount of force required. Just gently sand in a circular motion.

A drafting square helps you make accurate cuts. If you have to cut some wood accurately that’s around 2 or 3 feet, it may be difficult to get measured correctly. Carpenter squares are hard and drywall squares aren’t always accurate. Check out drafting squares at your local art supplier. These aren’t that hard to use and can be very accurate.

TIP! Try dry fitting wood before you glue it. Attempting to fix a problem after you’ve applied glue is a recipe for damage and disaster.

Woodworking is a hobby waiting for you to get into. Do not get intimidated, just focus on using this advice. With focus and dedication, you can improve your woodworking skills. Everything else relies on your own vision and dedication.