Do you want to know more about working with wood? That’s what this article is for. Woodworking with the right advice can help you have a much easier and fun time. In fact, you can use the following tips to help you right away.
Make your own reusable sanding blocks. Cut six 3/4″ pieces of plywood for each sandpaper grit. They should be 2.5″ by 4.75″. You can secure the sandpaper better with an adhesive. Stick a block to the cork, making sure to cut the cork flush with a utility knife. This piece should then fit you hand fairly well and be secure enough to not slip. Finally, cut your sandpaper flush with your cork, and then label each of your blocks.
If you’re using stain, test it first on a scrap of wood. Then, you can stay away from any surprises if the stain looks differently after application. Wood can be unpredictable, so you can avoid mistakes and disappointment by doing this simple test.
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 tend to run when they are applied, while gel stains stick to the lumber better. Also, gel stains are thick, so they tend to stain more evenly.
Add a stair gauge to the shop that you create. Typically, they are used for the layout of stair jacks, but they can also be used to clamp down the carpenter’s square. Doing so converts the carpenter’s square to a tool that can be used with a circular saw. You can always make perfectly straight cuts by using this method.
Know the characteristics of any wood before you buy or use it for a specific project that requires staining. Low quality wood is considered “paint grade” and isn’t meant to be stained. Also, particleboard and veneer will be a lot more different. Veneer isn’t going to absorb a lot of stain while your particleboard will absorb way too much. The proper wood helps your project come out the way that you hoped.
Know what you need to do to work with the wood and how it reacts to different situations. Every piece of wood is different. Wood varies in how they take to staining. Splintering will also be different depending on the type of cuts you use. You will also see a wide range of different grains. These are all variables to consider when working with wood.
Some woodworking projects can be very challenging. But when you complete them, you will be filled with pride. When you finish your project, your confidence will skyrocket. Use what you have read to help you get started with creating wood art.
