Many people like to create lovely woodworking projects as a fun hobby. Working with wood is an old art. Many people even woodwork for a living. Use the tips below to help learn how to work with wood.

Safety is the most important aspect of a project. Be certain to use all tools correctly and observe all safeguards. Don’t take guards off the power tools. Nasty injuries are no way to end a woodworking project.

TIP! If you plan on staining your project, try using pre-stain conditioner on your wooden surfaces. You won’t have any blotches or unevenness when you use a conditioner.

Test stain in an area that will not be seen or on a scrap piece of wood. Testing first will give you an idea of how the stain will look on a real piece. You’ll get no unwelcome surprises later. This simple testing tactic lets you counter the unpredictability of wood.

Stair gauges can be used for crosscut guides. Clamp them to your carpenter’s square, and make sure they match your stair jack’s rise and run. Then put a mark on the notches. If they’re on the same carpenter square’s tongue, that combination can create the perfect guide for a crosscut using a circular saw.

Always stir your stains instead of shaking. Stains often have ingredients that settle to the bottom. Shaking can cause bubbles that hinder the mixing. Stir completely, allowing all settlement to blend evenly and smoothly.

TIP! It is important that you have a realistic idea of your budget and what you can make with it. Sometimes your wallet will restrict what you can actually do.

Never use your fingers when guiding the cut of a slim piece of wood. Instead, push the pieces through your saw with a long strip of wood. This will prevent you from loosing a finger or two, which would make working with wood very difficult.

If you plan to use a saw, ensure the blade is sharp. A dull blade will make it terribly difficult to saw. Additionally, dull blades can cause you to make errors that can cost you money.

Make certain to have the right nails for your specific project. Too large of a nail can split your wood, resulting in it not holding properly. But if you use a nail too small, it may not have the strength or size to hold the pieces together. You have to figure out what the right size is for the job you are doing.

TIP! Before applying glue, try a dry fitting first. This will give you the ability to make the necessary adjustments if need be.

Wear safe footwear when you are in the shop working on projects. Your work environment will be full of nails, wood pieces and various types of tools. You will want to make sure your feet are protected from injuries. Your shoes need to be great for walking around as you work.

Enjoying woodworking with a couple beers may sound fun. It’s not the best idea, though, to add alcohol to sharp tools. Never mix alcohol and this craft. This also applies for illegal or prescription drugs.

If you are planning on a woodworking project, it is important that you select the best wood for the project. Don’t use soft wood like pine as a table top, because it scratches very easily. Also different varieties will lead to different colors.

TIP! It’s great to have a small ruler inside your pocket, but it might fall out if you have to bend. Try switching to a metal ruler, keeping it in a pocket with your telescoping magnet, the kind used to reach and pick up screws or nails.

You need ample lighting in your workshop. You will need it when you are painting, staining and sanding. This will help you see any areas where extra sanding is necessary. Additional lighting can help you apply stain evenly.

Whether you are an expert or a novice, woodworking is easier when you apply the tips you’ve just read. As you use each tip, you’ll find that they turn your projects into masterpieces. That will show that by reading the above article and using the suggestions listed, your skills will improve by leaps and bounds.