Are you new to woodworking? That is the purpose of this article. Woodworking isn’t that hard if you know what you’re doing. As a matter of fact, the following paragraphs have a number of pieces of advice you can use today!

If you’re using stain, test it first on a scrap of wood. This can help you avoid surprises in case your stain color is different after you’ve applied it. Wood is unpredictable so you’ll want to test it first.

TIP! If you plan to use stain, test it on a small scrap of wood first. Then, you can stay away from any surprises if the stain looks differently after application.

Did you know that the height of your workbench is vital to the quality of work you produce? Measure from the floor to your waist. This is how tall your bench should be.

When you make your budget, remember to itemize tools that you have to buy. You may overlook this and not factor in the cost. There may be things that you need and will have to get which may become budget breakers unless you plan for it.

Gel Stains

TIP! You can make your crosscut guides using stair gauges. Fix them onto the carpenter’s square, taking care to note that they are a good fit for the stair jack.

Try out some gel stain next time you are staining furniture items. Liquid stains are prone to running, while gel stains tend to stick. Gel stains will create a more consistent finish on pieces, as well.

You want to know the different characteristics of the wood you’re going to use, especially before the staining process. Paint grade indicates that the wood is not of high quality, while stain grade indicates that the wood has a grain pattern that is suitable for staining wood. Particleboard and veneer differ from one another. Veneer doesn’t always absorb enough of the stain, and particleboard over-absorbs it. Having the right wood will help ensure that your project goes as planned.

Many people have a small ruler on them when working in the shop. Sometimes it will fall out of your pocket when you move around. Purchase a metal ruler to carry along with a small telescoping magnet that is used to grab loose screws or nails. The magnet will keep both objects securely in place.

TIP! When creating your budget, list any tools you may need. It’s easy to forget this when you are just focusing on the cost of the wood.

Get proper size nails for your jobs. Very large nails can cause the wood to split, which will prevent it from holding well. Small nails won’t give a good bond. You have to figure out what size nail you need for best results.

You never know when something will go flying around and land in your eyes. So always wear your safety goggles to prevent eye damage. If you don’t have good fitting goggles that you can see out of, you need to find yourself a new pair.

Sanding Blocks

TIP! If you’re thinking of leasing a new tool you’ve never used, see if the company can teach you how it works. Sometimes you can even be taught how to use the tool properly which is usually faster and better than if you taught yourself.

Make your own reusable sanding blocks. Sanding blocks offer you extra control when sanding and are friendly to your hands. Just use plywood scraps to construct one for yourself. Cut the wood into the right size and apply sandpaper with spray adhesive.

Wet the wood you plan to sand. This helps raise the grain. This, in turn, lets you eliminate very fine scratches. This will give your finished woodworking project a professional appearance. It might also save you work in the future.

A drafting square helps you make accurate cuts. If you have a cut that needs to be done and exceeds a couple feet in length, you will likely find it hard to do perfectly. Carpenter squares need to be fastened to one edge, and drywall squares are often inaccurate. Try instead picking up a drafting square from an arts and crafts store. These are simpler to use and provide the necessary accuracy.

TIP! All woodworking shops should have stair gauges. These are usually used for laying out stair jacks; however, you can also use it to clamp down your carpenter’s square.

Stay patient. A lot of people begin woodworking project, but get frustrated when they do not see instant results. Keep a realistic view of the work that you need to do, and just enjoy the time you have creating pieces. Patience helps with focus. Soon enough, your project will be complete.

Before you begin the woodworking process, plan out the project. If you start out with a budget and blueprint for the entire project, this helps to keep you in check as you’re working on it. Knowing everything you need will make the process more efficient. Plan ahead and things will go more smoothly.

Think about future modifications when planning a big project. For example, if you plan to build a shed, would you like to add electricity down the road? Allow room for wires, switches and fixtures, if this is the case.

TIP! Choose the right wood for your project. Never use soft woods for table tops as they will scratch.

Woodworking is often a daunting task, but the rewards are worth the trouble. When you see your finished piece, you will be happy that you followed through and completed something of value that will last for years to come. Take what you learned here to come up with dazzling pieces of wood.