Finding your niche with woodworking as an art is a great thing. It is almost instinctively enjoyable to craft pieces of wood into attractive, useful objects. Continue reading to learn about this great pastime, and get ready to enjoy many hours of fun along the way.
Safety always comes first. Be sure to follow all safety directions when using power tools. Never remove any guards off of your power tools that are there to protect you. These simple things can help protect you from accidents.
A great tool for setting crosscut guides is a stair gauge. Clamp them on the carpenter’s square. Then you simply mark where the notches are. 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 select the correct wood for your project. Some wood is stronger than others, while other woods need to be soft for what it is you’re doing. If you’re not sure how each type will react, invest some time to learn about them first.
Dry Fitting
A dry fitting is important to do before adding glue to your wood. Trying to move things around once the glue is on is likely to result in harm to the final project. Dry fitting will help you see which pieces go in which spots.
Prior to using a piece of wood, know about its characteristics. If the wood is paint grade, the quality isn’t as good. If it is stain grade wood, it is meant to be stained. Particleboard and products labeled as “veneer” do not absorb stain evenly. Choosing the right wood turns your project into a success.
You should check the condition of your blade before you start sawing. A dull blade will not allow you to finish your project. It can also cause you to make errors in your cutting.
Do not put too much pressure on yourself by expecting all your creations to be flawless. The minor flaws add character to your creations and a personal touch. You get better with practice, and the suggestions above will go a long way to help you as you advance in your field of woodworking.