Woodworking has been enjoyed as a hobby by people all over the world for many years. Some people actually earn a good living from woodworking as their career. If you’re interested in woodworking, you can find success by using the below advice.
Organize your shop’s extension cords to keep your shop safe and tidy. You can make your own cord keeper with nothing more than a scrap piece of wood. Simply cut a piece of wood in the shape of an I and wrap each of your extension cords around the wood.
You can use tape to catch excess glue. If you want to prevent oozing glue stains along joints, try clamping pieces together without using any glue. You just put tape on your joint, and then cut along it using a sharp blade. Separate your pieces, and then apply glue. After that, clamp them to each other again. Your glue will ooze on the tape instead of the wood. You can peel off the tape before your glue dries.
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 will be re-coating an existing finish, be sure that the surface is clean and free of any wax or oils. Then, let it dry completely, and lightly scuff the surface with a 220-grit sandpaper so that the finish you are applying will have something to hold onto.
Many people use utility knives to cut veneer. This can be very dangerous; however, take heart, there is a better way. When cutting veneer, consider using a rotary cutting tool. These inexpensive tools can be purchased in your local fabric shop. Rotary cutting tools allow you to trim veneer to the perfect size.
A golf tee provides a quick and easy fix for loose interior door hinges. Just take the door off the hinges and tap the golf tee into the offending screw hole. Cut off the length of golf tee that protrudes from the hole, then you put your door back up. This will give the screw the support that it needs.
When you need accurate measurements in the 3-foot range, use a drafting square. These are relatively cheap and can be found at any art supply store. They are perfectly straight and extremely accurate. They are less cumbersome than a framing square and are also longer. This will become your go-to tool in your woodworking shop.
Check around your town for free wood scraps. Businesses who use pallets may give them to you at no charge, especially if you can collect them. Before you start tearing them up you can find examples of pallets that are recycled into furniture online.
You make mistakes. Always remember that, but never say it. You have made mistakes in the past, you are going to make them in the future. Always treat them as learning opportunities. However, never point them out to others or talk about them. Others may not notice, or even care. They’re likely to just be impressed you did something they couldn’t.
Having a beer while enjoying your hobby might seem like a good idea. However, working with a saw and drinking is a terrible combination. Never mix alcohol and this craft. This is also true for prescription medications or illicit drugs.
Incorporate your woodworking skills in yard projects. Maybe you could create an intricate bird feeder or add a fancy deck to your home. Having birds in your yard will help keep the number of insects down. If you are a professional woodworker, then invite potential clients to come see some of your past work, firsthand.
Use only one extension cord in your shop. Take time to unplug tools not in use, and plug in your tools you plan to use. This not only saves electricity, but it keeps you safe from tripping on cords.
Watch other woodworkers for tips. You might find that, after watching someone work on wood, that they do things a little differently than you do them. In fact, noticing differences might just help you to be a more effective woodworker yourself. Make sure you get permission first, though; you don’t want them to think you are staring too much!
Make custom-fitted sanding blocks. Just cut wood into the shape and size you are needing to do the project. Use some adhesive to stick your sandpaper to the wood block, then allow for drying. Then you will have a proper sized sanding block for your job.
If you are new to woodworking, there is no harm in starting with kits. For example, when you want to build a new shed, picking up a kit online can get you started. If you want to be more ambitious, you can add features to the kit, such as a window.
Test a new woodworking technique on a piece of scrap wood. This will help you to think out a new cut, stain, or tool on a medium that is less valuable to you. Anything done to scrap wood does not matter. It is not always best to experiment with unfamiliar processes on the final piece.
When creating circles, a perfect template is a must. On top of that, your cuts must also be perfect and your sanding work will be extensive. Use a sharp pencil to great the template and cut to the edge of the mark, not into it, leaving yourself a bit of leeway.
When your tools have safety features, use them. Whether it is a cap on a saw blade or a safety switch which locks the on button, using them means protecting not only yourself, but anyone else who enters your shop. Newer tools won’t work unless these pieces are in place, so be sure to use them.
Novices and pros alike will have found something new above. The more you learn about woodworking, the better the finished product. The research you have done here can really help boost your skills.