Solid Woodworking Tips And Advice From The Experts
Although fun and extremely rewarding, woodworking is very challenging. If you are a novice woodworker and wish to improve your woodworking skills, it is imperative that you take the time to educate yourself. Learn the ins and outs of woodworking to avoid common errors and dramatically improve your skills. This article is packed with great woodworking tips and advice, so read on to learn more.
Even if you have been doing woodworking for some time you may want to consider taking a class. There are different levels of classes available, so you should be able to find one that teaches you something and is challenging. There is never too much that you can know about woodworking.
Become more accurate by using a drafting square. If you need an accurate square that's about 2" to 3", you have limited options. Drywall squares tend to be very inaccurate. With carpenter squares, you have to hook them onto your work piece's edge. A drafting square can be easily used if you happen to have one lying around. If you don't, they are pretty cheap to find at art stores. They are incredibly accurate and as useful as a tape measure.
Unless you are charging it, never leave your tools plugged in and unattended. You never know who might approach your tool, accidentally setting it off. Not only can this damage the items around it, but the person could be hurt and you could be left liable for the end result.
When staining woods, always test in a hard to see area before moving forward. In fact, if you've got a piece of scrap wood, that's even better. You never know how a type of wood will take to stain, so it's best to find out in a place that won't be an issue later on.
If woodworking is new to you, it pays to carefully read plans prior to starting projects. Be sure you understand them through and through. If you have incomplete plans, ask at a local hardware store for advice.
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.
If you do woodworking at home, create a well-lit, organized area in your home or garage to serve as your workshop or hobby area. Keeping your tools and supplies in one place and well-organized keeps you safer, more productive and enjoying the time spent working on your projects. This is important whether you have a large or small workshop, so set up the space with both lighting and organization at the top of your workshop to-do list.
One thing to keep in mind with woodwork is always crowning your wood. This is done by looking down the edge of your lumber and finding the high side. Always put the high side up, which will create a more uniform and more supportive floor and roof line for your home.
You can make a sanding block even better. Cut a small slot about 3/8 of inch deep, a little less than an inch from the outside edge. Run it the entire length of the block. Now the sandpaper will fit into this slot easily, and it will stay in place more securely.
As discussed earlier in the opening paragraph of this article, woodworking is as difficult to master as it is rewarding. To become a great wood worker, you must learn as much about woodworking as possible and make an effort to constantly educate yourself. Apply the tips and advice from this article to get started on your way to becoming an expert woodworker.
