Woodworking is a skill used by man for thousands of years. It can be great fun, and this article can point you in the proper direction. There are countless things you can make with wood, and this article is just the start of learning about this rewarding hobby.
One good product to use if you are staining your project is a conditioner, to be used before staining. If you use a pre-stain conditioner, you will be less likely to notice any blotches or irregularities in your finished project. Also, it will create a smooth texture upon completion.
Spray Adhesive
Create your own sanding blocks. Cut six blocks from any 3/4″ plywood you have, for each sandpaper grit you regularly use. Be sure that the measurements are around two-and-a-half inches by four-and-three-quarters inches. Apply spray adhesive to each of the tile squares and the blocks themselves. Cut the sandpaper with a utility knife to better fit your block. Spray adhesive on a sheet of sandpaper, and stick it to each block of cork, facing down. Then cut the sandpaper that is flush with the cork and label the blocks.
Stair gauges make good crosscut guides. Match them to the rise and run of your stair jack, then attach them to the carpenter’s square. Then mark the notches. You have a great crosscut guide when you put each of them on the carpenter’s square together.
Account for new tools in your budget. This can be easy to neglect, since you might just be focusing on the cost of the wood. But if there are things you are going to need that you don’t have, they can be budget breakers if you aren’t careful.
You need a stair gauge inside your workshop. These are usually used for laying out stair jacks; however, you can also use it to clamp down your carpenter’s square. You can then use your square as a guide for a circular saw. The square will get you wonderfully straight cuts all the time.
Learn the characteristics of different kinds of wood. All wood is different. Staining looks different on various types of wood. When they are cut differently, they will not splinter the same. And, you’ll see a wide variety of grains. Take these different characteristics in mind when planning a project.
Choose correctly-sized nails. Very large nails can cause wood to split, which will prevent it from holding well. Nails that are too small may not hold wood together. You have to figure out what the right size is for the job you are doing.
Perfection is never the goal when you are creating your own wood-worked items. Small mistakes actually make an item carved from wood more interesting. Read these tips to become better at woodworking, and remember, practice makes perfect!
