People around the globe have learned that woodworking is an enjoyable pastime. Woodworkers are creative people, whether they are making tables, chairs or something else. Knowing how to work with wood is important. Learn all you can from reading this article in full.

Safety is the most important aspect of a project. Always wear safety equipment and use tools the proper way. Never remove any guards off of your power tools that are there to protect you. The last thing you want to do is end up at the emergency room because of an accident.

TIP! If you plan to use stain, test it on a small scrap of wood first. By doing this, you can prevent unwanted surprises in the event that the stain color turns out differently than you expected.

When using stain, try a test on a small scrap you may have available or in an area on the wood that will be out of sight. This will prevent you from getting an unwanted stain color on your final product. Keep in mind that it is not easy to guess how wood stain will turn out; therefore, you should always test out the stain on a piece of wood to prevent disappointment.

Select an appropriate sort of wood for each project. Different types of wood can handle different levels of stresses. Some are stronger than others. If you’re not sure how each type will react, invest some time to learn about them first.

If you’re renting a new tool, get a tutorial from the store before using it. Quite often, they’ve got specialists available that can help you get comfortable with the tool faster than if you learned it on your own. Ask for handouts and manuals as well.

Avoid using your fingers as guides while cutting narrow pieces of wood. Use a thin and long strip of wood instead. This technique helps protect your fingers from injury.

Understand the features of different wood types prior to selecting it for a project that is to be stained. Paint grade means the wood is of lower quality, for example, while stain grade means it has a better grain pattern for staining. Also realize that veneer and particleboard are different. Particleboard will absorb too much stain, veneer might not absorb enough. Choosing the correct piece of wood helps turn the project you work into something special.

You should have a small ruler on you. Buy a metal ruler, and try keeping it in the same pocket as the smaller telescoping magnet you use to pick up loose metal screws. The magnet will keep the ruler in your pocket at all times.

TIP! Use the right sized nail for a job. Using improper nails is a common mistake make by beginners.

You should have at least a working knowledge about the most common woods and their characteristics. There are lots of differences in wood types. Different woods take stain differently. Cuts will react differently, too. And, you will notice a plethora of grains. All of this will become factors in your woodworking project.

Always keep your eyes peeled for free wood. A lot of places have unwanted pallets. Before you go tearing them down, check online for examples of recycled pallet furniture and even buildings for ideas!

A lot of people look at wood and don’t see all the different items that it can produce. For the lucky ones that do, the above article was written for them to help them broaden their skills. Enjoy what you do with woodworking, and let the tips you read here guide you.