Getting involved with woodworking as a means of artistic expression is a wonderful thing. It is fun and you’re going to need some ideas to get you on the proper path. There are countless things you can make with wood, and this article is just the start of learning about this rewarding hobby.
Condition your wood with a pre-stain product. Pre-stain conditioner can help lessen how noticeable blotches and irregularities are when the project is done. Such conditioning agents smooth the wood surface and let stains sink in evenly.
Create sanding blocks you can reuse. Cut six 3/4″ pieces of plywood for each sandpaper grit. They should be about 4.75″ x 2.5″. Spray your adhesive on the cork tile and the block of wood. Stick a block to the cork, making sure to cut the cork flush with a utility knife. Then, spray your sandpaper with adhesive and apply it to the cork. Then cut the sandpaper that is flush with the cork and label the blocks.
Stair Gauges
Try using stair gauges for your crosscut guides. Clamp your carpenter’s square to your stair gauges while ensuring they coincide with the rise and run of your stair jack. Mark each notch. Put them on your carpenter’s square guide for a great cut.
Always stir your stains instead of shaking. Some of the ingredients tend to settle as time goes on. However, if you shake it, it may create bubbles and not allow the product to mix well. Make sure you stir properly, until everything is even and smooth.
When budgeting for a project, do not forget to include the cost of any new tools you will need to acquire to finish it. This is something often overlooked. Consider all expenses as a whole to see if the cost is workable with your budget.
Gel Stains
Gel stains are something that you can get a lot of use out of when you’re staining items that are going to be used for furniture. Liquid stains have a tendency to run but gel stains will stay in place better, without running. Gel stains are much thicker so they give more consistent coverage.
Keeping a ruler in a pocket can be a good idea, however sometimes it can be frustrating if it falls out. 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. Keep the ruler and the magnet in the same pocket. The ruler will stay in place.
Get the right nail sizes for the job you are doing. If a nail is too big around, it could cause the wood to split. However, very small nails do not penetrate the wood well; therefore, it won’t hold the wood properly. You need to figure out what size is going to work right for your project.
When you’re working with wood, you should understand that you don’t have to have perfect creations all the time. Each creation is unique and has personality. You’ll start to do better with time, and the things you’ve read here should help you out along the way.