Woodworking can be a fascinating hobby or it can be a lucrative career. Whether you would like to do it for a living or would simply like to pursue it as a weekend hobby, this article is for you. Use these tips to help inspire you to become a better woodworker of this fascinating art.
If you’re using stain, test it first on a scrap of wood. This can help you avoid surprises in case your stain color is different after you’ve applied it. Because wood tends to be fickle, mistakes can be avoided by testing it out beforehand.
What kind of budget do you have available? It is quite common to be far more ambitious than the budget allows when working on a particular project. It is very disappointing to run out of funds before your project is complete. Write down the costs beforehand so you can see if it fits within your budget.
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.
If you are trying new skills, make sure that you practice on some wood that has no value, like some scraps. You don’t want to waste an expensive piece of wood before you know exactly what you are doing. Once you have mastered your new skills, you can move to a better piece of wood.
If you have a high skill level when it comes to woodworking you may want to think about taking some time to share your knowledge with others. You can keep it simple by recording what you do step-by-step or you could take it to a higher level and teach a class.
Always keep your work area clean and safe, even when you are not actually there. Leaving out pieces of lumber with nails in them or even power tools that are easily activated in your yard can be dangerous. You never know when animals or even neighborhood children might come romping through and hurt themselves.
Take baby steps when first starting out with woodworking. It’s a lot of fun to learn, but woodworking is also pretty dangerous if you get too cocky too soon. Even when you feel like you know the basics, keep practicing them. And always where safety gear. You are much better off.
Do you find that your joint compound seems to dry out in between uses? There is a simple fix to help keep your joint compound moist. Simply pour a small amount of water on top of your joint compound before sealing it. The next time you need to use the joint compound, drain off the excess water and your joint compound will be perfectly moist.
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.
When you are sanding, do not apply a lot of pressure. Using pressure while sanding can make the surface uneven. Using the right grit will mean you don’t have to push hard. Also, try to use a circular motion to create a smooth texture.
Keep all you blades and bit sharp. This way they will be ready cut clean each time you use them. Sharp blades are also much safer to use and less likely to break when you use them. Set a schedule for regular maintenance and know how to identify a dull blade.
If you are new to woodworking, you may be tempted to choose something for your first project that is too complicated, or large for you to handle. This can lead to frustration, or giving up too quickly. Instead, choose something simple, like a birdhouse, that you can do a great job on, and get the feel of your new tools and supplies. Then move on to something bigger.
Be sure to teach any children that may have access to your woodworking space the dangers of touching your tools. Those tools can be so dangerous that a child could be killed if they try to use them without the needed supervision. Even if you lock this space still teach them about the dangers to be on the safe side.
Safety needs to always come first. If you’re not sure how to operate a tool safely, look up instructions online. You will find checklists of safety rules which apply in workshops of all shapes and sizes. Whenever you get a new tool, investigate what you need to know before you use it.
If you bought wood for a project, keep them away from moisture. Moisture will raise the grain and cause the wood pieces to warp. Store your materials in a dry spot. Flat boards should be laid down flat on the floor to minimize warping due to changes in temperature.
Keep dust to a minimum in your shop. Hardwood dust counts as more of an issue than softwood dust; however that is not a hard rule. It is possible to experience allergies and irritation even with limited exposure to softwood dust. Make sure to keep the skin, eyes and nose protected.
A hanging clipboard is very handy in the workshop. Write down anything you find yourself needing or running low on. This will make shopping for supplies easier.
There is much to learn about woodworking but luckily it is an enjoyable skill to learn about. Many people find it to be a relaxing hobby while other pursue it as a full time passion. use the tips from above to enhance your love of woodworking and to help you enjoy it even more.