You would be surprised how often good woodworking skills come in handy through life. You may want to do crafts with the kids one day, or you may want to add a deck to your home. Keep reading to find out more.
Stir finishes or stains before using them. Some of the ingredients tend to settle as time goes on. Shaking can cause bubbles and lead to uneven mixing. Stir until the solution is even so that you get the best results.
If you’re renting a new tool, get a tutorial from the store before using it. Sometimes you can even be taught how to use the tool properly which is usually faster and better than if you taught yourself. Also ask for any documentation to help you out.
Whenever you plan to cut a narrow piece of wood, don’t use your fingers as a guide! The smart thing to do is to use another wood piece to push your wood up to the saw. This helps you keep every finger, which are required for doing future woodworking.
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. Try switching to a metal ruler, keeping it in a pocket with your telescoping magnet, the kind used to reach and pick up screws or nails. The magnet will ensure that the ruler won’t fall out.
Golf Tee
A golf tee is all you need to fix door hinges which are loose. Start by removing the door from the frame. Remove the hinges too and tap tees into the screw holes. Cut the extra golf tee off and install the door again. This technique fills in the missing wood and helps hold the screw tight.
You should add a bit of extra spring when you are gripping. There may be times that you only have one hand and need a spring clamp. It can very hard to open these up just using one hand. There are ways to make this more simple. Before you apply the glue, open the clamps you need and place them on scrap wood using both hands. This makes it so the clamps are close to maximum capacity and are easy to use with one hand.
Don’t always rely on your tape measures. Story sticks can be helpful, and you are always able to cut later. Just cut scrap wood so you can dry fit the piece. Planning out a variety of cuts for your project will help prevent mental boredom.
Choose the right wood for the job. For table tops, avoid use pine or other soft woods because the top will get scratched easily. You will also need to remember that different wood varieties take stain differently and will be different colors once finished.
Now you know a little more about woodworking. Since you never know when you will have to pull out your tools, that knowledge will be valuable at some point. Imagine the possibilities that lie before you now.
