Most people don’t know much about the hobby of woodworking. They think it’s just a matter of cutting some wood, slapping it together and calling it a success. The fact is that there is more to it than that, and the tips below will guide you through the process.
Select the proper wood for any project you do. When thinking of work with wood, there are some pieces of wood that aren’t able to handle the stress other woods can. Practice with wood so you know how it reacts to what you do to it.
Even if you have been doing woodworking for some time you may want to consider taking a class. There are different levels of classes available, so you should be able to find one that teaches you something and is challenging. There is never too much that you can know about woodworking.
Check out your local library for books on woodworking. You will likely find books that contain tips, special skills or even step-by-step guides that can take you from start to finish on a project. A library can be wonderful source of information that people tend to forget when they are looking for knowledge, so do not let this resource slip your mind.
Get proper size nails for your jobs. Too large of a nail can split your wood, resulting in it not holding properly. However, very small nails do not penetrate well; therefore, they won’t hold the wood. Therefore, it is vital that you find the appropiate size nail for your project.
Join a woodworking club if you have the time to do so. This can lead to you learning a great deal more about woodworking, and an added benefit is that you will make friends that enjoy the same passion as you. Additionally, it can be rewarding to share your knowledge with others that are just getting started.
Keep your tools and hardware organized. When you keep clutter to a minimum, it does more than just add discipline to your workshop. It also keeps distractions, hazards and time spent hunting down a misplaced item to a minimum. Keeping screws, nails and other hardware and accessories in one place neatly stored until needed makes your projects faster and keeps you safer.
Save some money and practice your woodworking skills by building essential items for your work space. Build some counters to work on and a work bench. Get creative and you can make your work space even more organized and efficient since you have the ability to organize the area.
You can prevent glue stains by placing masking tape along the joints of wood being adhered. First, tape the wood together along the joint, then use an Exacto knife to cut through the tape at the joint line. Following this, glue the pieces of wood together and clamp them. Just before the glue has dried completely, you can peel the tape off.
If you use an orbital sander to smooth the surface of your project before finishing, move the sander very slowly. The recommended speed is one inch per second which is slower than most people sand. Going too fast can cause a small spiral pattern that does not show up until the finish is applied.
Double-check your measurements. If you’re working on something where separate pieces are different sizes, make sure that your measurements are accurate so that everything fits together well. You can always fix any problems, but measuring properly can help you avoid those problems. Check your measurements on two separate occasions to make sure you have it right.
Grabbing a spring clamp and opening it one handed can be difficult. To help alleviate this problem plan ahead. Before beginning any clamping project place several spring clamps along a block of wood. This will allow you to grab the clamps one handed and hold them open while lining up the wood’s grain.
If you have a small, turned project, you can save time and give it a durable finish with cyanoacrylate glue. This glue dries to a glossy finish that is not dulled by repeated handling. This works great for small spindles that may be used in book racks or plate dividers in kitchen cabinets.
When you approach a project, pick your purpose carefully. What will the end product be used for? Can you add utility to it so that it has even more uses? For example, when you build a desk consider also adding drawers and shelving to allow it to be an organized place to work.
Get the wood prepared for staining. A good place to start is in the application of pre-stain wood conditioners. These conditioners for the wood will get into the grain of the wood so the stain can be soaked up evenly. Lastly, after you have stained the project, take an old rag and give it a once-over to gently remove any extra stain.
Always allow yourself enough time to do the job properly. If you rush, you will find that your quality of work suffers and that what you end up with isn’t what you expected. Instead, estimate how long it will take and then add another week, just in case problems crop up.
Spend the money now on the best tools that you can afford. Cheaper tools break quickly and lead to major irritation. Well-made tools will cost you more upfront but are a better investment. You end up saving a lot of money in the end.
Keep all power tools disconnected from their power source when not in use. This simple procedure can save you from accidentally cutting yourself when changing out a drill bit or sawblade. By consistently unplugging your power tools when you finish using them you can avoid accidental injuries that are so common in the workshop.
As you learn more about woodworking, you’ll find that things become easier. You’ll be able to plan out your projects better, complete them on time and have end results which are impressive. Use this new knowledge to make your hobby the best it has ever been, time and time again.