Are you concerned that woodworking may be too hard for you? If you know what you’re doing, you can literally make anything. All it takes is the desire to learn. This article provides you with some of the things you should know if you want to try woodworking.

If you are going to be staining your woodworking project, use a pre-stain conditioner on the wood. By using these products, you are likely to avoid blotching or imperfections in the final product. They will make the wood smooth and allow the stain to go on evenly.

Are you aware that your workbench height is important to your work quality? It should hit at your midline. This will be the optimum height for your ideal workbench.

It is always best to stir your stains and finishes, as opposed to shaking them. Some of the ingredients tend to settle as time goes on. However, shaking can cause bubbles, and things may not mix properly. Make sure that you stir it thoroughly until the sediments are smoothed out and blended evenly.

Dry fittings prior to glue application are always a good idea. When you try to move things around after applying the glue, you’ll likely end up with a big mess. Using dry-fit will show you where to put the pieces should go.

TIP! Test your stains on scraps of wood or inconspicuous areas of the piece you’re using. Testing first will give you an idea of how the stain will look on a real piece.

Stair gauges are a crucial part of any woodworking shop. They are used often to layout jacks for stairs, but they can also be clamped to your carpenter’s square. By doing this, your carpenter’s square can turn into a circular saw guide. When you use this square, you’ll cut perfectly straight every time.

Buy nails in the right size and of the right material for each job. Nails that are too large can cause the wood to split. A nail that isn’t big enough won’t keep the wood together. Make sure you get nails that are just right.

Wear sturdy footwear whenever you are working on your wood projects. There will be nails, staples, screws and more littering your floor. You want to make sure that your feet won’t get hurt by stepping on something. The shoes must be tough enough to endure your work environment.

TIP! When creating a budget, don’t forget to itemize any new tools that you’re going to need to buy. It’s easy to forget this when you are just focusing on the cost of the wood.

Always keep your ears open for friends and family that are looking to sell their home. Your woodworking skills might be a good way for you to make a little money by helping them increase the resale value of your home. You can do many things to help, such as making new bathroom cabinets or repairing the sagging front porch.

These tips should help you get started. Take what you’ve learned and start putting it to use. With a lot of practice, you’ll master this craft. Use what you have learned here to not go wrong. Now, get in your shop and have some fun.