Woodworking is an awesome hobby that leaves you open to so many different options that it could never get old. If you find that you are in a rut when it comes to the skills that you have you should read the article below. It is full of ideas that can bring new elements into the work that you do.
Don’t neglect sanding your wood. Sanding may be tedious, but the quality of your workmanship will suffer if you leave the scrapes and nicks where they are. Not to mention, those scratches and nicks absorb more stain and paint, making them stand out more, and making your work look shoddy.
In a pinch, you can use a hacksaw blade as a makeshift compass. Often you can’t find a compass when you need it in room, when you are away from your shop. You can quickly nail a hole in the middle of a hacksaw blade, then steady the pencil against the proper tooth to get the right length. Draw that circle.
Remember the quote, “Measure twice, cut once.” When it comes to cutting wood, you always want to ensure you have the right measurements before you begin cutting. Otherwise, you will have to buy more wood, which will cost you a lot of money. You can avoid this dilemma by ensuring proper measurements.
Use a socket when drawing an arc. Most shop owners have a variety of sockets that can be used for a variety of radii. For example, if you are wanting a radius of 10 millimeters, reach into your toolbox and grab a metric socket that size. You will get a perfect arc each time using this technique.
Be sure you have the right kind of ear protection. Woodworking can be very loud. You want to avoid hearing loss from prolonged exposure. You can buy disposable plugs for your ears, or get a good pair of headphones. Whatever you go with, be sure you’re wearing them when using the loud machinery.
Go to yard sales, garage sales, and online to get better deals on woodworking equipment. You can find some high-quality used stuff. If you are just getting started or replacing older parts, this can save you tons of money.
Fumes from oil-based stains can be harmful to animals, as well as humans. To avoid fumes, try using a water-based stain. Water-based stain comes in a wide variety of colors, even more than their oil-based counterparts. And the application process is the same whether you are using oil, or water-based stain.
Quickly get rid of burn marks caused by the router. Certain woods burn easily when routered and it can be very time-consuming trying to sand the marks away. If the router template is complex, it may be nearly impossible. Try just routering down further just a small amount using the same bit. About 1/32nd of an inch should take the burn marks off.
Always measure twice and cut once when working with wood. Most woodworkers have heard this; however, most do not follow this advice. Simply double checking to ensure that your measurements are correct can save you both time and money. Additionally, ensure that you have an accurate tape measure for best results.
You can make a customized color of stain, but make sure the stains you are using are from the same manufacturer. Be sure that you use either all water-based stain, or all oil-based. Never mix the two. Finally, be certain to write down the exact amounts you used of each, so that the color can be duplicated if desired.
It is possible to put a water-based finish on top of an oil-based stain. However, you must wait a full twenty-four hours for the mineral spirits to fully evaporate from the oil-based stain. If the weather is wet or cold, it is better to wait another twenty-four hours before applying the finish.
Every good woodworking shop needs a quality combination square. It is needed for almost every job you’ll tackle. It makes a good depth gauge, using the straight side. It is, of course, perfect for miter cuts. Most have a level built right in. A good combination square is a must-have tool, right up there with a hammer and drill.
Before beginning any staining project, test the stain in an inconspicuous location. Different types of woods absorb stains differently and can change the color of the stain on the finished project. By doing a test spot first, you can ensure that your finished woodworking piece will look beautiful when stained.
Take a class for wood working at your local community college or community center. You are sure to learn a lot from the class even if you have been working with wood for a while. It is also a great way to meet people with similar interests. You might make a few new friends, as well.
Stair gauges are great guides for circular saws. Typically, stair gauges are used to make sure the run and the rise match up on a stair jack. But, if you use the carpenter square tongue, a circular saw guide is created.
Know the wood that you are working with very well before you begin your next woodworking project. You want to know the direction of the grain, the durability of the wood as well as how it will be affected by weather conditions and the tools that you plan to use. Knowing these things will help to have the results that you desire.
Make sure not to throw away the scrap wood from each project. You may never know when a tiny chunk of wood will be the one you need to fill a hole or to help support a clamp when gluing pieces together. Tiny wood pieces can also assist you in practicing cuts when you have a new tool.
Now that you have read the article above you surely have realized that you have so much more available to work with than you thought before. The key to keeping your hobby interesting is to continue to learn about your options, just as you have by reading the above article. Now get out there are put the above tips to work.