The skill of woodworking is both highly valued and highly demanded. No matter how good you are at this craft, there is something everyone can learn to help improve their skills. Read on for tips on enhancing your skills and taking your woodworking skills up a notch.
Anytime that you begin a new project you must consider your safety first. Always start a job with the proper safety gear and follow instructions for using the tools properly. Don’t take guards off a tool – they’re intended to keep you safe. Ending up in the emergency room is not a good way to end a woodworking project.
Test the stain before you apply it to the wood you are using in your project. This will allow you not to have any surprises later if the stain’s color looks different when it is applied. Wood may not react as you thought, so avoid mistakes and possible disappointment by performing this simple test.
Figure out your budget for your project. Sometimes your wallet will restrict what you can actually do. It is easy to get carried away, only thinking of the finished project. Then later realize the project costs too much to finish. Write down the costs beforehand so you can see if it fits within your budget.
Keeping a small ruler inside one of your pockets is a great idea, but it could fall out due to its size. To stop this from happening buy a metal ruler and place it in the same pocket where you keep your telescoping magnets, used for picking up nails and wood screws. They’ll both stay in your pocket this way.
Make certain to have the right nails for your specific project. If you use a nail whose diameter is too great, it can split the wood, which causes it not have a proper hold. If the nail is too small, it cannot provide enough strength to keep the wood together. It’s important to be able to match the correct size of nail for each job.
Solid footwear is also advisable when you are woodworking. Your work environment will be full of nails, wood pieces and various types of tools. You want to ensure that your feet are protected in case you step on something sharp such as a nail or accidentally kick a heavy tool or pile of wood. Your shoes should be sturdy enough to withstand your walking around the work environment.
Keep safety in mind as you work with your table saw. When you are crosscutting, be sure to set the length of the cut using a block that is clamped onto the fence. That is better than only using the face, because your board won’t spring back. This clamping method leaves the end of the board accessible for cutting.
Make sure you have enough lighting in your wood shop. Any time you’re working on painting, sanding or staining you’re going to need bright lights. That helps you see where any extra work is needed. Having enough light will also ensure you see the stain well.
Drafting Square
A drafting square gives much needed accuracy to smaller cuts. When cutting wood from afar (two to three feet in range), it may be very tough to be accurate. Some people try to use drywall or carpenter squares for this, but both can prove to be inaccurate or difficult to manage. Rather, go to the art supply store and get a drafting square. They are simple in use, and they can mean a lot to your accuracy.
It is possible to make customized sanding blocks. Just cut down a piece of wood to the dimensions your current job requires. Use some adhesive to stick your sandpaper to the wood block, then allow for drying. Then you have a sanding black that is the perfect size for the job.
Know all of the steps that the project requires before beginning it. Surely you don’t want to make mistakes. Make sure you read the directions completely to ensure that everything is right.
Wear tight or well-fitting clothes when working with your power tools. Lots of accidents have happened because of this type of clothing. To keep yourself protected, a fitted shirt that’s tucked in should be worn. Also opt for steel toed boots. They’ll protect your feet from any falling tools or wood.
It is not surprising that woodworking hobbies and skills have withstood the tests of time. There has always been a need for people who are gifted with the skill of woodworking. It doesn’t matter whether you are just a hobbyist or a woodworking professional, you can enjoy woodworking at any skill level.