What do you need to learn about woodworking? Don’t you just cut work and put the pieces together? There is more to it than you may think. It is a very fun and rewarding hobby, and the tips below can help you get started.
When you install your hacksaw blade, make sure the teeth face forward. They are designed to cut when pushed using a forward stroke instead of a pulled stroke. Some of these blades have arrows pointing toward the handles that show the correct way to install them. Install it making sure it is tight and cannot bend. When you do lots of cutting, your blade heats up and expands, so make sure you tighten it before it begins bending.
Do not make the mistake of buying woodworking supplies based on the price alone. This can turn out to be a mistake that will cost you more in the end. If the supplies you buy are not very good quality, they will wear out sooner than more expensive tools, which means you will have to replace them much sooner.
You likely already know that you want to have a ruler on hands at all times, but it can be hard to keep it from falling out of your pocket. Get a metal one and keep it in the pocket that has the little telescoping magnet for picking up loose screws. This will keep the metal objects in your pocket.
If your door hinges are loose, you can use a golf tee to fix them. Remove the the door and the hinges from the door frame and gently tap a golf tee into each screw hole. Cut off the excess golf tee and then reinstall the door. The screw will be able to then hold on to the golf tee in order to function properly.
Join a woodworking club if you have the time to do so. This can lead to you learning a great deal more about woodworking, and an added benefit is that you will make friends that enjoy the same passion as you. Additionally, it can be rewarding to share your knowledge with others that are just getting started.
Do you find that your joint compound seems to dry out in between uses? There is a simple fix to help keep your joint compound moist. Simply pour a small amount of water on top of your joint compound before sealing it. The next time you need to use the joint compound, drain off the excess water and your joint compound will be perfectly moist.
Never cut any pieces of wood without checking for nails, screws and other metal. While donning a pair of goggles keeps your eyes protected, you are still at risk for other injuries. Inspect every piece of wood whether you are re-purposing it or using new lumber. You are better safe than sorry with this safety tip, and checking the boards only takes a few minutes of your time.
Listen up for anyone you know personally that is wanting to sell a home. Getting better at woodworking can help you to make some money when you help them, and in return they may be able to sell their home for more. You can do a lot from just getting a new post for a mailbox, to doing their kitchen’s drawers.
Wood is an expensive material to work with. It becomes really expensive when you are working on larger projects. Save some money by using cheaper and less attractive woods for areas of the project that are not on display. Save the high quality wood for the structure, tops and front of the project.
If you don’t want glue to stain the piece of wood you’re working on, it’s a good idea to use tape first. Clamp together the two pieces you want to glue, and then put tape on the joints. Then use a sharp knife to cut the piecs apart. That way, when you glue together your wood, excess glue will get on tape and not the wood.
Keep all you blades and bit sharp. This way they will be ready cut clean each time you use them. Sharp blades are also much safer to use and less likely to break when you use them. Set a schedule for regular maintenance and know how to identify a dull blade.
In terms of woodworking tools, you can never get enough clamps. Have a wide variety available to you. You’ll need them for holding things in place during cutting, holding together two pieces of wood when gluing, and much more. This is the one type of tool that you’ll need for nearly every project.
Keep a folder of anything that inspires you. If you see a staircase in a magazine or a bedframe in a catalog, clip them and keep them in a folder for future projects. That way, when you want to start a new project, you’ll have a folder chock full of great ideas.
An organized toolbox is essential to a master craftsmen. Many carpenters find that using a variety of containers can keep their toolbox looking tidy. 35mm film containers are perfect for hold small fasteners and a variety of tupperware containers are perfect for holding nuts and bolts. Finally, magnetic strips can keep your screwdrivers and wrenches organized in your toolbox.
To begin a project that has new tools and techniques you haven’t used before, do practice runs to start with. Take out a piece of wood that you aren’t using for this project and try it out on that. If it doesn’t work, try another piece, again and again until you get a handle on how it works.
If you bought wood for a project, keep them away from moisture. Moisture will raise the grain and cause the wood pieces to warp. Store your materials in a dry spot. Flat boards should be laid down flat on the floor to minimize warping due to changes in temperature.
Do you know more about woodworking now? If this is the case, then now is a great time to start considering how much woodworking can improve your life. This could be a hobby or a full time job; either way, the knowledge you learned here is of great benefit.