Woodworking is enjoyed worldwide. Some even make a living from it and enjoy it too! If you long to know the joy that comes from making something special from wood, take heed of the tips below.
Select the proper wood for any project you do. Some woods are better for certain projects than others are. If you don’t know how each wood type reacts to what you’re trying to do, spend a bit of time learning about it.
Gel Stains
One of the more recent developments in stains are gel stains. Stains that are liquid will run when you apply them and the gel stains are going to stick to your wood better. Gel stains are also thicker, which means they have more consistent pigment throughout the stain. This gives a more even appearance to the finished product.
Dry fit your wood before using glue. Adjusting your wood after applying glue can cause damage to your project. Dry fitting will help you see which pieces go in which spots.
A stair gauge is an essential for every woodworking shop. These are usually used for laying out stair jacks; however, you can also use it to clamp down your carpenter’s square. That means your square becomes a circular saw guide. You can always make perfectly straight cuts by using this method.
If your interior doors have loose hinges, you can simply fix it with a golf tee. Just take the door off the hinges and tap the golf tee into the offending screw hole. If there is excess golf tee, cut it off before reinstalling the hinges and door. The screw will be able to bite into the golf tee.
Look around for free wood in your area. A lot of companies have pallets out back collecting dust, and they will probably give them to you when you have a way to take them. Before you tear the pallets apart, you may want to look online at all the furniture and other building ideas using recycled pallets.
Look around for bits of recycled wood. You can find many discarded scrap wood pieces if you search around. Oftentimes, flooring and home improvement stores will discard wood scraps and unused wood. Use this to your advantage and see if they have something you can use for your project. You can save money this way.
Shop around for used power tools. You can find a great deal on top of the line tools and equipment when you buy used. That will help you put more of your money into the projects you create instead.
Always be sure when you’re planning out your project to choose the right type of wood. Never use softer woods like pine for the tops of tables, as it tends to scratch. Additionally, consider different types of woods offer different colors.
Stay safe when using a table saw. If you are crosscutting, use a clamped block to mark the cut length. This is better than just using the fence itself, as it keeps the board from springing back. Using this clamping method still leaves the end of the board free to be cut.
Be on the lookout for discarded furniture. You may be able to find wooden furniture items for free or at a very low cost. Think of what you can do with these pieces in your shop before you dismiss buying them. Even if you find a dresser that is badly damaged, the drawers might be of some use.
When you are sanding, do not apply a lot of pressure. When you put pressure on your wood while sanding, you can create an uneven surface. If you’re using the right sand paper grit, the pressure should not matter. Just lightly sand using a circular motion.
Check your stain on a spot you can’t see before using it. The stain might not be what you were thinking of and not come out the way you had anticipated. That’s why it’s a good idea to test the stain in a spot that is not in clear visibility. This technique will save you a lot of work and headaches in the end.
Power Sander
Some power tools are essential for woodworking projects. A driver/drill, table saw, jigsaw, power sander and circular saw are a must. An orbital sander may be the best option, but any type of power sander will do the job.
Take the time to watch the various woodworking programs available on television. They have all kinds of useful info and can give you many ideas. If you are unsure of where to find these programs just take a second to look through your local TV guide.
When working on a big project, keep in mind that there might be changes in the future. If you are building a structure, will you be adding utilities down the road? If so, be sure that there is ample room for wiring and switches to be installed as well as a space for the light to go on the ceiling.
It does not matter if you have been woodworking for years or if you have never cut a piece of wood, the tips above should be helpful to everyone. These tips will help you create a masterpiece. Therefore, the time you spent reading this article and expanding your knowledge will be time well-spent.