Woodworking sounds like such a simple activity, but it is one with many intricacies. If you think you already know everything about it, think again. There is always more to learn. The article below will show you what you need to know about woodworking. Both novices and experts will find this information very useful.
Don’t neglect sanding your wood. Sanding may be tedious, but the quality of your workmanship will suffer if you leave the scrapes and nicks where they are. Not to mention, those scratches and nicks absorb more stain and paint, making them stand out more, and making your work look shoddy.
Always wear safety glasses when you are doing anything that involves woodworking. If you do not take the time to put the glasses on you are taking a huge risk that is not sensible. Just think, if you lose your eye sight you will not be able to do woodworking every again.
Always use the safety equiptment that came with any of your woodworking tools. You may feel that a sheild is getting in your way when you are sawing, but its purpose is to protect you from serious injury. If you feel tempted just think of what it would be like to lose a finger or worse.
Before you start any woodworking project, get all of the tools you will need for the project ready. Always remember to bring a calculator and tape measure with you when you go to purchase your wood. Make sure you have any specialty tools you will need for your project available as well.
Always check blade conditions before you saw. Dull blades make work harder, plus they are a safety hazard, especially on power saws. A dull blade will also cause you to make mistakes and harm the wood that you’re working with.
Always clean up sanding dust thoroughly before staining or applying a topcoat. If you want a smooth finish, dust is your enemy. Use a vacuum over blowing dust into the air because it settles back onto the wood, and use a damp cloth to ensure all dust is removed from the wood in your final cleanup prior to staining or applying a top coat.
Wear gloves when you are doing your woodworking projects. A natural part of woodworking is the risk of getting splinters and other injuries from the wood. If you find it difficult to work well with the gloves you should shop for a pair that does not hinder your performance so that you can be safe.
When buying wood for your woodworking project, always buy long and not to the exact measurements. Some stores will sell you wood that is cut to length. Always measure long and trim down to the exact size you need in your shop. This way if you made a minor error in measurement, you will have a little bit of extra wood to cut off or utilize to make up for the difference.
You should have good lighting in your work area. Woodworking requires a degree of accuracy. Also, you’re going to be using tools that are sharp and are used to get your wood cut properly. Proper lighting is a must for all these things so that there are no injuries or major mistakes.
One thing to keep in mind with woodwork is always crowning your wood. This is done by looking down the edge of your lumber and finding the high side. Always put the high side up, which will create a more uniform and more supportive floor and roof line for your home.
Make your own reusable sanding blocks. You want a block that fits into you hand perfectly and is appropriate for the job. You don’t have to buy one. You can use some scrap plywood to create your own. Get one piece of wood for every sandpaper grit. Put on adhesive and then stick the sandpaper on there.
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.
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.
Priming is an essential part of any painting project. This is especially true when painting untreated lumber. To help you get the most beautiful results apply two coats of primer to your unfinished wood. Lightly sand between the coats of primer. Then finish your project by applying two or three light coats of oil-based paint for a beautiful finish.
If you do woodworking as a hobby, don’t spend all your free time or days off on it. Get some rest once in a while and enjoy the relationships in your life. If you drive yourself too hard, you are going to make mistakes. This can produce results less than your best, or lead to accidents.
When first starting out in woodworking, you should not have to purchase all your tools at once. Instead, look into groups such as Freecycle, and ask family and friends if they have tools around that they no longer use. You might find enough tools to get you started and not have to pay much at all.
Now that you’ve come to the end of this article, you know a thing or two more about woodworking. Use the information for fun or profit as you see fit. Keep learning more and honing your skills along the way. It is entirely possible that you will become one of the world’s great woodworkers.