When it comes to woodworking, as a hobby or as a job, everyone can get involved. Whether building a birdhouse or a mansion, or creating a fence or filigree, there is a level of participation anyone can enjoy. Learning all you can about the field is key, so start by reading all of the great tips in this article.
Become more accurate by using a drafting square. If you need an accurate square that’s about 2″ to 3″, you have limited options. Drywall squares tend to be very inaccurate. With carpenter squares, you have to hook them onto your work piece’s edge. A drafting square can be easily used if you happen to have one lying around. If you don’t, they are pretty cheap to find at art stores. They are incredibly accurate and as useful as a tape measure.
Try using duct tape to create a level spot. If you’ve used your table saw on a base that’s mobile, you should be able to easily pull it in and out. To really finish it up, find a level spot on your floor. This also helps you saw boards without obstruction. Mark your wheel positions using duct tape that is brightly colored, and then roll the saw to that same flat spot each time you need to saw.
Keep all of your woodworking tools in a safe and dry place. You want to be sure that your tools are not in reach of children, as well as that they will be safe from moisture and other elements that can cause them to degrade at high rate. Follow this rule and your tools will last a long time.
Be safe when you first start out in woodworking. Wear the proper safety clothing, including goggles. You may feel silly, but you are dealing with sharp tools and splintering wood. These are things that can cause significant injuries to even the most seasoned woodworker. So be safe, and make sure all that are around you are safe too.
If you’re looking for that first woodworking project, how about starting with a simple box? In fact, that’s probably the most popular first woodworking project out there. Buy some cheap wood that you like, and design a box that could work around your home. Maybe it’s for writing utensils, or perhaps it’s for the kitchen? There are a lot of options.
You can apply stain with either a brush, or a rag. Work the stain in against the grain, and with it as well. You need not be neat, just get a smooth, even coat on the wood. Then, wipe immediately for a lighter tone, or leave it on for up to fifteen minutes before wiping for a deeper tone.
Wear goggles when you are working on your pieces. Wood might fly toward your face at any time, and you want to avoid a trip to the emergency room. You might not think that it is a possibility, but this is one time when it is really important to be cautious.
Attached a small magnet to the bottom of your hammer’s handle to hold several nails when working above your head or on a ladder. This simple technique allows you to keep your nails handy and avoid climbing up and down the ladder when you are working above your head.
Always wear the proper safety gear when you are working with wood. This includes eye protection, gloves and ear plugs whenever you are cutting wood with an electric saw. You should also wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling little pieces of wood. Keep this gear handy so you always remember to use it.
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.
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.
A good woodworker knows his wood. You must familiarize yourself with things, such as the difference between softwood and hardwood. Learn the different kinds of grain, and what types of wood are best for indoor, and outdoor use. It is also wise to know about the cost of different wood types. Cost can affect your decision about which wood you will choose for a project.
Sometimes a retractable tape measure is seen as too unreliable for woodworking. The tip can get worn out or bent, making measurements inexact. While a good steel ruler may be best, you can use a tape measure for some jobs. Just make sure you use the same one for all measurements. Don’t switch tape measures.
When driving larger nails into panels like a two by four, do you often inadvertently split the wood. You can often avoid this annoyance by using a simple trick. Turn the nail over and give the sharp end a quick rap with the hammer, dulling the tip a bit. The nail is then less likely to split the wood.
Hold your paintbrush at at 75 degree angle when painting. After you have applied the paint to the woodworking project, use gentle strokes to help eliminate any brush lines. If your paint does develop brush strokes a little sanding can remove them. Simply use a 400 grit sandpaper and gently buff the entire piece.
With all of this great information in mind, you are ready to build anything your mind can dream up. Use these tips one by one to make woodworking the amazingly enjoyable experience you’ve yearned for. In time, you will find that you get better at it and the items you produce become exceptional.