Woodworking is an exciting skill. Wood working is a very useful and admired craft. It’s not necessarily easy, but you can do it with the right knowledge. With some practice, you might just make something that makes you proud.
Use pre-stain conditioners if you’re going to stain the wood. 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.
Before you apply a stain, test it on an area that is hidden or a piece of wood scrap. This will help you avoid any surprises if the stain color looks different after it has been applied. Wood is pretty unpredictable, so doing this small test can help you avoid any errors.
If you are using laminate, a good way to cut the wood is to use tin snips. They make cutting the laminate to the right sizes effortless. Try designating a pair of snips for laminate cutting so that they stay sharp.
It’s important to know the wood’s characteristics before you start working with it. Wood that is paint grade is not high quality. On the other hand, wood that is stain grade will stain better. Also, veneer and particleboard greatly differ. Particleboard absorbs a lot of stain while veneer doesn’t absorb much at all. Choosing the right wood turns your project into a success.
Even though it is smart to carry a small ruler, sometimes it might fall out when you are working. Get yourself a ruler made of metal and put it in the pocket where you store your telescoping magnet. This magnet helps you keep the objects together and in your pocket.
Add some springiness to your grip. There may be times that your project requires a spring clamp when you only have one hand available to open it. These clamps can be difficult to open without the use of both hands. You can make it easier on yourself. Prior to beginning a glue-up, put all necessary clamps on a scrap of wood. This makes them near the maximum capacity so they’re easier to use with one hand.
Don’t always rely on your tape measures. Try using a story stick, gradually working your way to cutting. Using scrap wood for a practice cut is a good way to experiment with your project. When you plan your cuts properly, you’ll do a better job.
Go to garage sales, yard sales, estate sales, or even look online for deals on any tools you need for your woodworking. There are many wonderful deals that will help save you money on used equipment for your projects. That will help you put more of your money into the projects you create instead.
You may be tempted to sink a couple of beers while working on your project. However, working with a saw and drinking is a terrible combination. You should never drink while using woodworking equipment. The same caution applies to the use of prescriptions or illegal drugs.
Do not forget to stay connected to others. You are unlikely to have the Internet hooked up in your woodworking area. There will still be times you get stuck on a particular problem within a larger project. Talk to woodworkers to get advice in these situations. It’s really hard to find a problem that no one has experienced before.
Always be cautious when working with a table saw. If you are making a crosscut, set the length for the cut by clamping a block to the fence. This is preferable to simply using the fence because it will prevent having your board spring back. And, it will keep the board free for cutting.
Make sure you know if family or friends are interested in selling their home. Your woodworking skills might be a good way for you to make a little money by helping them increase the resale value of your home. You can do anything from just a new mailbox post to as much as redoing their kitchen cabinets and drawers.
Keep your eyes peeled for furniture others are putting in the trash. These will often be cheap and many times free! What can you do with the piece? Drawers from a dresser in hopeless condition may be used creatively to make a bookshelf by placing them on their sides.
Always double check your measurements. Triple checking might even be a good idea if you’re using materials that are expensive. Some of the most expensive mistakes happen by measuring wrong. If you cut in an angled fashion or too short, you might ruin wood altogether.
Save the wood that you have for scrap because you may need it later on. You can always use a tiny piece of wood for filling in small gaps or clamping together glued wood pieces. Small scraps of wood are also good for practicing on.
Now that you’ve digested this information, you should be itching to get started woodworking today. You can always learn new things in woodworking, so keep your eyes open. Never get down on yourself, as the art of woodworking requires lots of patience.
