What is there to know about woodworking? There is more to it than cutting some pieces of wood and gluing them together. There is actually quite a bit of skill necessary to produce quality pieces. The following article offers many tips to help you start woodworking.
Safety is important when working with wood. Use the right safety gear and operate tools according to their manual. Don’t take guards off a tool – they’re intended to keep you safe. You do not want to start a woodworking project and end up in the hospital.
Your workbench’s height is important in woodworking. To find the best height, measure the distance from the floor to your waistline. This is how tall your bench should be.
Always stir your stains and finishes instead of shaking them. Some of the ingredients in these stains and finishes tend to settle to the bottom over time. However, shaking can cause bubbles, and things may not mix properly. Stir thoroughly until it is even.
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. Traditional liquid stains have a tendency to run. Gel stains grab on to the wood better. Also, gels are thicker so they will remain consistent during the entire application process.
If you plan on renting an unfamiliar tool, ask the company if they can provide a short tutorial. There are usually specialists available to get you comfortable using the tool more quickly than learning it by yourself. Some places even have detailed handouts with tips that will help you get better results with the new tools you are using.
Refrain from putting your fingers near your cut. The smart thing to do is to use another wood piece to push your wood up to the saw. This will assure you keep your fingers.
Dry Fitting
Do some dry fitting before applying glue and then piece the wooden pieces together. It won’t be easy to adjust things as necessary if you’ve already applied the glue. Dry fitting the pieces together gives you an idea of what pieces go where.
Is there a loose screw which you just can’t get at? Your toolbox has the answer. Simply grab your screwdriver along with your 12 point socket. Fit the socket over the end of your screwdriver; then attach it to a ratchet.
Don’t always rely on your tape measures. Story sticks are useful, and you can always gradually work your way up to a cut. There’s always time to practice a cut on scrap first. Planning out a variety of cuts for your project will help prevent mental boredom.
Make sure your workspace is well lit. You need to be able to accurately measure, which requires great visibility. Remember that woodworking tools are extremely sharp. This will reduce any imperfections in your creations.
Having a few beers while you build a few things may seems like an ideal way to spend your weekend. However, working with a saw and drinking is a terrible combination. Avoid drinking alcohol while working around power tools. This rule applies to any drug that may affect your ability to think clearly, whether legal or not.
Take the necessary safety precautions when you have the table saw out. When crosscutting, make sure you use a block clamped onto a fence to set the cut length. This helps prevent boards from springing back. This clamping method leaves the end of the board accessible for cutting.
Drafting Square
For small cuts, use a drafting square. 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. Drywall squares are known for being inaccurate, and carpenter squares must be fastened to an edge, making them cumbersome. A drafting square from your art store works great! These aren’t that hard to use and can be very accurate.
Do you now appreciate all there is to woodworking? If you answered in the affirmative, take note of the ways in which your life can be enriched by it. You can turn your new skills into a hobby or even earn a living by keeping in mind this wonderful knowledge.