Are you into woodworking? Is it something you have done previously, or are you currently creating wooden masterpieces? This article will give you a few pointers no matter what kind of woodworking you want to get into. Read on to discover everything you ever wanted to know.

When you are working with wood, safety must be the number one priority. Be certain you always have the right safety equipment, and use your tools properly. Don’t take guards off of the power tools. Avoid doing a project and having to go to the hospital.

TIP! Before you apply a stain, test it on an area that is hidden or a piece of wood scrap. This makes sure that you won’t run into any surprises.

You can make your crosscut guides using stair gauges. Clamp them on the carpenter’s square and be sure they match up. Mark each notch. Put them on your carpenter’s square guide for a great cut.

When you’re using finishes or stains you should always stir them instead of shaking them. Stains often have ingredients that settle to the bottom. But, if you shake it could cause bubbles to form which would mean it wouldn’t mix too well. Stir it well and you shouldn’t have an issue.

Gel Stains

TIP! Before using any stains or finishes on your wood, make sure you stir them and not shake them. Some ingredients they contain will settle at the bottom of the can, which can effect the outcome of your project.

One of the more recent developments in stains are gel stains. Liquid tends to run after it’s put on, whereas a gel stain sticks to the wood much better. In addition, the thicker consistency of gel stains have more consistent pigments and allow for a more even coat of stain on vertical and horizontal pieces.

Avoid using your fingers as guides while cutting narrow pieces of wood. Use a thin and long strip of wood instead. This makes sure that you won’t chop off a finger.

Before using wood, make sure you have a good grasp of all the different types of woods that are out there. Each wood piece is different. Different woods take stain differently. The grain patterns of different woods mean pieces splinter differently. Learning how different types of woods and different types of grain is important to your woodworking. Each of these things plays a role in how your project eventually turns out.

TIP! Choose the correct wood for your project. Some woods are better for certain projects than others are.

Always check blade conditions before you saw. Dull blades make work harder, plus they are a safety hazard, especially on power saws. It will also make you make more mistakes that could end up costing you money depending on the wood you’re working with.

Be sure that your ears are properly protected. The machines used in woodworking create lots of noise. Continued exposure to the noise can cause some hearing loss. Buying some inexpensive ear plugs or some noise-cancelling headphones will help. Use them anytime you are using the machinery.

Are you finding it hard to be able to reach a screw that you need to tighten? Have a look in your toolbox. Use your 12 point socket with your long handle screwdriver. Put the socket on your screwdriver and then attach your favorite ratchet.

TIP! If you’re renting a new tool, ask for a brief tutorial. They usually have specialists that could help you adjust to your new equipment a lot faster than you would if you had to do it alone.

Use recycled wood when available. You can find many discarded scrap wood pieces if you search around. Oftentimes, flooring and home improvement stores will discard wood scraps and unused wood. Look for wood that you can use for projects. This also saves quite a bit of money.

Carefully going over your plan is crucial with woodworking. Be certain you understand the plans, and that they’re complete. If you fail to understand them, or they are missing information, go to the home improvement store to determine whether somoene can assist you with them.

Woodworking is calling your name, and it’s time to get started. Rather than getting overwhelmed, use these tips to get started. If you work hard, your results will be stunning. Everything else relies on your own vision and dedication.