If woodworking intriques you, then you’ve probably been giving it a lot of thought in terms of how to begin. It can be tough to start with, but with a lot of practice and a creative mind you can achieve much. There’s a lot to pick up, so keep reading to discover some important tips to help you start.

Anytime that you begin a new project you must consider your safety first. 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 to stain a project, apply pre-stain products to your wood. This will reduce any blotches in the piece that you create.

Consider making your own sanding blocks that are reusable. First cut 6 blocks from scrap plywood, one for each grit of sandpaper you like to use. They should be about 4.75″ x 2.5″. You can secure the sandpaper better with an adhesive. Start by sticking a block to the cork before cutting the cork with a utility knife. Spray adhesive on your sandpaper, and then stick it to every cork block, facing down. Cut the sandpaper flush and label each block.

Test out stains on a hidden spot. This helps you to not be shocked when you see the finished product. Wood and stains can surprise you, so test things out before you put it on the final project.

If you are renting a tool that’s new to you, ask the company you are renting from for a quick tutorial. Quite often, they’ve got specialists available that can help you get comfortable with the tool faster than if you learned it on your own. You can also ask them if they have some kind of a handout that gives tips on what you can do with the tool.

TIP! If you plan to use stain, test it on a small scrap of wood first. This can prevent surprises if the shade of the stain is different after it has been applied.

It is a good idea to keep a small ruler in your pocket, but you may find it falls out when you bend over because of the length. Get a metal ruler instead, as well as a small telescoping magnet for picking up loose screws. Keep them both in the same exact pocket. This will keep the metal objects in your pocket.

The art of woodworking is an interesting one. Hopefully, you have learned something here that you can use in your shop. No matter if you want to build furniture, toys or decorative items, now is the time to begin. You may be amazed by all that you can accomplish.