It's really fun doing the hobby known as woodworking. Woodworking is a craft that has been around for thousands of years and enjoyed by millions of people. Though it is not a simple hobby, there are ways to make the process smoother. After enough practice and guidance, soon you will see yourself creating many enjoyable projects.
Always make safety first with a woodworking project. Make sure you know how to use power tools properly and always wear safety equipment. Don't ever remove the guards from your power tools; they are in place for your protection. Nasty injuries are no way to end a woodworking project.
Don't use your fingers to guide your cutting. It is a better idea to use a long, narrow piece of wood as a tool to guide it through the blade. This will prevent you from inadvertently whacking off your fingers.
Tin Snips
When you're using any kind of laminate while working with wood a good way to trim your laminate is to use tin snips. They will make it easy for you to cut quickly and easily and get the laminate to a size that is usable. Getting a set of tin snips you'll only use for laminate will keep your snips sharp.
Get a handle on how a wood takes to staining prior to choosing a wood for a project. Paint grade wood is generally of lower quality and stain grade has better grain patterns. Particleboard and products labeled as "veneer" do not absorb stain evenly. The proper wood helps your project come out the way that you hoped.
You should check the condition of your blade before you start sawing. A dull blade makes good cutting impossible. It will also increase your chances for error, which could cost you money in the end.
Add some extra spring to your grip. You may only have one hand available when you need to use spring clamps. This isn't a simple task! There are ways to make this more simple. Before starting to glue a large project, arrange all the clamps you will be using onto some scrap wood while both of your hands are free. This makes them near the maximum capacity so they're easier to use with one hand.
Never stick with tape measures alone. You can use story sticks and work up to cut. Just cut scrap wood so you can dry fit the piece. This also helps stretch your imagination and develop good woodworking techniques.
Enjoying a few drinks and creating something beautiful out of wood may be a great way to spend time away from work. That said, it isn't good to imbibe if you plan to work with power tools. Never drink any alcohol while you are working a project. The same caution applies to the use of prescriptions or illegal drugs.
When you are sanding, do not apply a lot of pressure. Sanding while using pressure will make a surface less even because you'll be gouging the surface. If you have the right grit, you don't need to put on too much force. Sand with the grain of wood and lightly.
Make your own sanding block. Sanding blocks offer you extra control when sanding and are friendly to your hands. Put your scrap plywood to use on your projects. For each sandpaper grit, spray the piece of wood with adhesive and stick your sandpaper on it.
Stair Gauge
If you need a circular saw guide, try using a stair gauge. A stair gauge's intended use is to help you match up notches with help from a stair jack. However, they can aid you when using a circular saw by using stair gauges on tongues of carpenter squares.
Make custom-fitted sanding blocks. Just cut blocks of wood into the specific size and shape needed. Affix the sandpaper with adhesive and let the block dry. And finally you'll have a custom-sized sanding block.
Prepare wood before staining it. Pre-stain conditioners can help with this. Wood conditioners help the stain be applied evenly as it soaks into the grain of the wood. Next, use a rag to blot off excess stain.
If you are thinking about a big project, it might be best that you take a look at what other people have created. Although you likely will not completely follow their plans, they can provide you with an excellent platform to begin your project. If they spark an idea in you or help you with calculations, it is a good place to start.
Save all your scrap wood in case it could be used for future projects. You don't know just when you're going to need a tiny wood piece to fill a gap. You can also use small pieces of scrap to practice cuts.
Consider changes you might want to make in the future when you plan big projects. When building a shed, you'll have to think about adding power to it later on. If that's the case, make sure you leave enough room for switches, wiring, and lights.
Avoid buying tools, hardware, wood, and other supplies that you don't really need. Quite often bulk buying means bulk inventory that just sits around taking space. Rather, you should really only buy what you will need today or in the very near future.
Power saws work best with sharp blades. A lot of accidents in woodworking are because blades are too dull. That's because dull blades cause more wood kickbacks. This can hurt you to the point you can't work with wood any longer. Also make sure your drill has bits that are very sharp to get the best result.
Use these tips to make your woodworking skills better. But remember, there's always more to learn, so keep looking for quality information. Do not be discouraged; it will take some time to hone your skills.