Woodworking is something that can make you a lot of money. Just about everyone can find something to enjoy about woodworking. Here are some excellent tips that will help you improve your skills and enjoy woodworking even more.
Before you get started on any woodworking project, do some research on the type of wood you will be using. Different types of wood absorb paint and stain differently, some too much, and some not enough. If you aren’t certain about what kind of wood you will need, just ask for help.
Consider making your own sanding blocks that can be used again and again. For each sandpaper grit that you usually use, cut six blocks from a scrap of three-quarter inch plywood. They need to be 2.5″ X4.75″. Use spray adhesive on both the cork tile square and your blocks. Apply the wood to the cork and trim the cork with a utility knife. Spray adhesive on the back of your sandpaper sheets and attach to the cork blocks. Lastly, put the sandpaper flush to the cork, labeling all blocks.
In a pinch, you can use a hacksaw blade as a makeshift compass. Often you can’t find a compass when you need it in room, when you are away from your shop. You can quickly nail a hole in the middle of a hacksaw blade, then steady the pencil against the proper tooth to get the right length. Draw that circle.
If you will be re-coating an existing finish, be sure that the surface is clean and free of any wax or oils. Then, let it dry completely, and lightly scuff the surface with a 220-grit sandpaper so that the finish you are applying will have something to hold onto.
Keep the floors safe in your woodworking shop. Dust builds up on the floor, making it dangerous for walking. Coat the slippery areas of your shop with a mixture of crushed walnut shells and paint. The walnut shells are just the right consistency to keep the floor rough enough for walking, even when sawdust builds up.
Be safe when you first start out in woodworking. Wear the proper safety clothing, including goggles. You may feel silly, but you are dealing with sharp tools and splintering wood. These are things that can cause significant injuries to even the most seasoned woodworker. So be safe, and make sure all that are around you are safe too.
Always follow the owner’s manual when using one of your woodworking tools. Not knowing the manual’s recommendations can result in injury or failure of your tool, and you surely do not want either of these to happen to you. If you have not yet read your manuals do so right away!
You can apply stain with either a brush, or a rag. Work the stain in against the grain, and with it as well. You need not be neat, just get a smooth, even coat on the wood. Then, wipe immediately for a lighter tone, or leave it on for up to fifteen minutes before wiping for a deeper tone.
Choose the type of wood that is right for the project you are planning. If you want to make a table, avoid easily scratched soft woods like pine. And keep in mind that different woods will have different colors at the end of it all.
It isn’t surprising that working with wood is something that takes some skill but is also a hobby lots of people have done through the years. There’s always been a necessity for woodworking skills. Regardless of your level of involvement in woodworking, the tips included here should help you.
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